New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-02-02
THEY DON'T BELIEVE Il
Suffragists Laugh at Scheme Of
Wicked College Boys.
RUMOR FROM WASHINGTON
Alleged Plan to Rout Paraders
with Rodents Fails to
Dismay Leaders.
Amt II awful. Mabel"

Tins fippantly did Mrs Arthur r
Townsend, treasurer Of the Womens Po-
litical Union. greet the news from Wash
ington that college students are plotting
to stampede the suffrage parade March
by loosing thousands OF rats and mice
into the marching line.
NO. I don't think I'll stay ont of the
parade on account OF that story. Mrs
Townsend continued. Tell you what I'll
do. I'll take my little dog alons. Rio
wouldn't catch a mouse, but he looks Is
If he would and that does just as we'll
Miss Inez Milholand laughed when she
heard the rats and mice plan, and then
she told a tale Of something that hap
pened in Birmingham, England. when
Christabel pankhurst was addressing a
meeting there.
Il wasn't there" Miss Milholland said
"but my cousin was, and she told me.
Some joker let some mice loose on the
platform right near Christabefs feet
Christabel didn't run, but the men re-
porters. who sat in row just in front
OF the platform. their faces on level
with TIE -tdiDItiluS Illi'Ns J'Af'N ~ "iN
ran away, every one Of them. Christabel
picked up one Of the little frightened
mice And the audience applauded.
I'm admit that I'd run from mouse
| hate them. But / know plenty OF
women who are not the least afraid OF
mice No. / don't think they can break
, up the suffrage parade that way.
An Old Joke.
What silly story" said Or. Mary
Halton. leader OF the 18th Assembly Dis
tricf for the Woman Suffrage party. Il
thought that joke about women being
afraid OF mice was too moth-eaten TO b
used any longer. Women do dislike YER
min because they are filthy and disgust.
ing, but az TO physical courage. I've never
observed that women have any less than
men.
III there is anybody who wants TO make
cur behavior in the presence OF mice
4 test Of our fitness 10 vote laughed DR..
| Halton. TN read to stand the test
Colonel" Ida Craft likewise refused
to bite. You can't fool her with any fish
| story about rats and mice. Colonel
! Craft was complacentiy packing mp pill
! grims' cloaks Yesterday afternoon al the
| recruiting Office for the Washington pill
grimage when the amazing tale was
| brought TO her. Did she shrek In ap-
proved feminine fashion At the idea OF
| rats ana mice being turned loose or the
suffrage parade in Washington? No;
| Colonel C:aft.
"a
aren't afraid of anything SO silly a mice.
Wc'A just keep on marching right through
a whole flock Of EN-. Women that arr
marching for a principle can't be stopped
| ny mice or any other pranks that fool
| college boys can invent
The only animal We suffragists aye
afraid OF is the politician. tn creature
with snaky eyes and wolhsh heart. Tire
| women are armed against that animal.
They'll stand and fight him Bat run?
Never. Neither for mice nor man
Too Cheap and Vulgar,
Miss Harriet May Mills. president Of he
New York State Woman Suffrage Asso-
| citation wouldn't confess to any alarm
= either.
Il lust don't believe there is ANYBODY
30 vllga. and foolish and cheap she
said The story isn't true. The Amer
! lean men wouldn't do such a thing-not
even silly college boys. People respect
the suffrasists. They may not all believe
in our cause but they don't insult us on
the street. Everybody admits that suf-
frage is great movement now. one
worthy OF serious attention. No, thereIh
be no mice IN Washington
Even II there were. they couldn't siam
pede our parade. The woman of to-day
isn't afraid OF mice. That foolishness
went out with the hoopskirt"