Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1913-03-09
Major Sylvester Declares He
Tried to Make Protection of
SuftfagiStS in Washington
As Complete AS Possible.
LEADER OF PARADE
IN SHARP CRITICISM
She Asserts Superintendent
First Tried to Prevent Pro-
ceSSlon in Streets and Then
Was Indifferent.

fny Morning journal Special Leased wlrel
Washington. March Sin "a stumy.
oVorcrowded committee room. the
leaders Of the suffrage parade that
was halted hy disorder In the streets
here Monday told the senate sub
eommittee Investigating the affair to-
dny of their efforts 10 secure proper
protection. Major Richard sylvester.
superintendent Of police. related his
side of the story declaring he be-
lioved he had placed force on
Pennsylvania avenue that was ample
90 handle the crowd and protect the
parade. Miss Alice Paul. chairman OF
the committee which arranged Tor
the parade, told the committee that
Tor more than one month she and her
associates had 'bomnurded" Major
sylvester and the war department ia
their efforts to insure the proper pro-
lection for the parade.
THE district authorities would re-
fer us 20 the war department and the
war department would tell as II there
was any trouble. the fault would be
with the district authorities" sho
said. When the sunragists we're urg-
ing Major Sylvester TO grant them
permit TO parade In Pennsylvania ave-
nue., Miss Paul said the superntend-
ent Of police endeavored 10 dissuado
them by telling them that the huge
maueuration crowds would bo dlsor-
dcrly and that he had toe few men az
his disposal 10 AFFORD them proper
protection After the permit finally
WAS granted, Miss Paul said she re-
minded Major sylvester of these
statements and urged him 20 request
aid from the war department. This
he did not do.
He told me that the rlfT ran Of the
south would be here for the Inaugural
tion for the democratic victory when
he opposed our marching on March
3, but after we had secured the per
init and were working to ensure
proper protection. he just said. oh.
that viii be all right " said Miss
Paul.
Former Secretary Of War stmson
had explained earlier In the day that
he had declined to order cavalry out
because the law did not give him the
authority to do so except In emer-
gencics. He had, he said, placed a
troop OF cavalry at the disposition Of
the local authorities. Major Sylves-
ter told the committee that prior to
the time of the parade he did not
think that the aid OF troops was
necessary
~ believed the force | had placed
on the avenue sufficient he said.
Then If the avenue was not prop
erly cleared by O'Clock on the day
Of the parade. in your judgment the
men and officers on duty there did
not do their duty?" asked Chairman
Jones
yes. sir, that Is IT," answered RIA
ior sylvester Il was surprised and
.hocked when | reached Pennsylvania
lvenue, after escOrtng President
'lect Wilson TO his hotel, to find thnt
he crowd had overilowed into tho
street along the line instead OF only
AZ the point where the ropes had
lrokcnn
Major Sylvester said he was at the
inion station to meet Presldcnt-elect
wilson when he received word from
police headquarters as to conditions.
He Immediately ordered the cavalry
brought from Fort Myer.
The huge crowds, Major sylvester
iaid, could hardly nave been kept on
the sidewalk bat they could have
been held back enough to allow tho
larade space TO pass In an orderly
lit outlined at length the
disposition Of men ana the orders TO
hem and declared that there were
more men ON duty along the line of
march Tor the suffrage parade than
'or the inaugural parade on March 4.
ie also presented reports from tho
'iflcers IN charge along the line of
March Steps had already been taken
or a thorough investigation Of tho
natter by the police department. no
aid, and any breach of duty would
% punished Major Sylvester said
nat the hospital reports showed only
me person injured anl eleven cases OF
exhaustion during the parade.
The committee win continue It's
rearing next week Women promi-
ent in suffragist circles have start
d a movement To recognize the serv-
res Of the boy scouts during the suf-
fasist parade by presenting each Of
he scouts with a bronze medal. IL
; purposed to raise a fund throughout
he country The scouts did splendid
iork in attempting to keep the
rowds back. A meeting of protest
gainst the treatment accorded the
is 10 be held tomorrow.
Corporal Tanner is to preside and
enators Shafroth of Colorado. Ciapn
( Minnesota and La Toilette OF Wis.,
onsin are expected to speak. -