Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-03-10

control. He said he nao attempted u
worked unsuccessfully.
The sidewalks were crowded and 1t
was impossible to clear the Avenue, ac-
cording to this report. Capt Doyle,
however. denied that the women In the
procession had been insulted while
n,arching through his division.
The reports regarding conditions
along the remainder Of the Avenue
state that 1t was impossible for the
police to keep the crowds away. The
captains reported that their men did
their best
1--WE were unable to clear the Avenue
Without resort to violence and endan-
gfring the lives of women and chill
dren." Capt. Snyder, on duty between
18th and 18th streets, reported.
rHad we used violence many would
certainly have been crushed to DEATH,
Capt. Snyder continued.
Men in the Minority.
All Of the reports were to the effect
that the crowds were made up largely
Of women and children and that 1t
would have been cruel to use force.
All the reports contained emphatic
denials that the women had been in
suited or jeered.
After reading the reports. Maj. Sy1-
vester praised the men in charge OF the
01nerent details ana Salu tHey Hdu d.
ways proved faithful
MY information is that some of my or
ders were not carried out said NAL
Sylvester. II this information Is con-
ffrmed. we will proceed Immediately 10
take cases at once before the police trial
board. This procedure is provided Tor by
law.
AT this time I would like to get the
names and addresses Of all prosecuting
Witnesses In order that we may be fully
prepared to push these charges.
Maj. Sylvester then took up the state
ments made by the suffragists regarding
his general attitude.
II never told them It would be impos,
sible to protect Them" he said. II told
them 1 thought II would be better to hold
II on another date. 1 told them Of the
difficulties attending a parade March 3.
Explaining the statement made by Miss
Alice Paul Saturday that he had said
that ''the riff-raff of the south" would be
In Washington inaugural week, Maj. Syl-
vester denied that he had made such a
reference.
A Southerner Himself.
you meant nothing against the kind
of democrats who were coming, did you?"
asked Senator Pomerene.
II never said such a thing" the major
replied. my people are from the south
and I would never think of making such
a statement, anyway"
Senator Jones asked Maj. Sylvester
about his movements last Monday after
escorting the President-elect to the
Shoreham Hotel.
when you got word that the cavalry
were needed. did you not realize that
conditions were serious?' asked Senator
Jones.
II did and Immediately sent word to
get the cavalry" he replied.
he Tro Gill -y n
conditions were there. / found things
going along well"
Did it occur to you to send a munted
force to clear the Avenue of people?'
Senator Jones asked.
II sent a mounted squad to ride as an
escort for the head OF the parade" he re-
piled.
Not Opposed to Parade.
what were your feelings regarding the
parade?" asked Senator Jones.
IT had none, except that 1 wanted to
protect it,
You recognized 1t as an unusual oc-
casion?"
Very unusual for Washington said
the witness.
did You think there would be any spe-
ciai difflcrlties?"
MY greatest anxiety was that some
remarks might be made about the women.
We had every reason to expect that there
would be no serious disorder"
Did you ever have particular conversa-
lions with your captains about this mat
ter?"
IT spoke of the matter with the
captains, but did not call a special
meeting" Maj. Sylvester answered.
did you make any effort to find out
what your officers and men thought of
this thing?"
II knew them to be conscientious
officers. and expected them to do full
duty" was the reply.
Had your men any reason to think
you were unfavorable to this parade ?"
Nobody can show that such a thing
was true"
Boy Scouts Watched Rats.
Maj. Sylvester said he had caused
large group Of Boy Scouts to be distrib-
uted among the crowds to prevent dis
order and prevent rats from being turn
ed loose
How do you explain the fact, major,
that there was a larger crowd. a smaller
police force and less disorder on March
AZ" asked Senator Pomerene.
The line Of march on the Sd was
shorter. and many members Of the Or
CARNATIONS which marched In the inau-
gural parade were on the Avenue during
the suffrage procession" the major re-
piled.
The people are educated up to the in
augural parade, and the people. too, were
possibly afraid of the armed soldiers in
the inaugural parade.
1t would have been crue! and would
nave precipitated a calamity IL the crowds
had been forced back at some points,
Senator Pomerene took up the exami-
nation Of Maj. Sylvester at this point.
rs 1T not significant that as a rule the
reports OF your captains do not go into
details about the question of disorders
March g." he asked.
= Their Reports Unsatisfactory.
Probably 1t IS" replied the major.
That is why we are conducting our
police Investigation"
Did you in any way give encourage
ment to any police officer to lead them
to relax their discipline March 81 Senator
Pomerene asked.
Absolutely no." the major replied.
Adjournment was then taken until 10
o'clock tomorrow morning.
The suffragist leaders are laying plans
for carrying on their campaign for
constitutional amendment during the ex-
ira session of Congress. Just what steps
they will take have not been decided on
yet, but II is probable that a resolution
providing for submitting the question OF
nationwide suffrage to the states will be
introduced in both houses OF Congress
early in the extra session.
Lack of Police Protection
for the Suffrage Parade