Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-03-04
Secretary StimSon Says
Troops Were Available
to Protect SuffragiStS

Secretary Of War Stimson was highly
indignant this morning at the apparent
effort TO shift to the War Department
part Of the responsibility for the failure
of the police to care for yesterdays suf-
frage parade. In conversation with a
Star reporter he made 1t clear that the
War Department all along had been will
ing and ready to assist the local authori-
ties in keeping the line Of march open
and protecting the women from insult
and abuse.
He rehearsed briefly the correspondence
that had passed between the District
Commissioners and himself i'm regard To
the matter and said he had plainly indi-
Gated to them his readiness to cooperate
with troops IL the Commissioners would
say they were needed.
Early last week the Commissioners. he
said, had written him that they might
possibly need the assistance Of the army
in caring for the parade, but did not
then think they would IL was arranged
at that time that If troops were needed
the Commissioners would notify the War
Department.
Women Made Application.
In the meantime. said Secretary Slim
son. the suffrage committee made APP
plication to the War Department for a
detail of troops for the parade, and was
informed by Assistant Secretary Oliver
that the troops We're so much occupied
in Inauguration matters that they could
not be spared unless the District Com
missoners or the chief OF police cert-
fed that their services We're necessary.
That was the way the situation stood
yesterday before the assembling OF the
parade. Secretary Stimson said that I'm
order that there might be no misunder-
standing in the matter he talked on the
fo1o RI m q
and Johnston yesterday morning. They
both informed him, declared Secretary
Stimson, that they felt assured of the
ability of the local police to handle the
crowds and care for the parade, there be-
ing between 300 and 400 policemen avail
able for the work.
The Commissioners told him also, said
Secretary Stimson, that while they did
not think regular soldiers would be re
quired, 1t might be advisable TO have not
more than one troop of cavalry ready to
meet any responsible call for assistance.
1t was suggested that the troop might be
held either at Fort Myer or at the Aque-
duct bridge.
Held in Readiness.
Secretary Stimson said he accepted
the Commissioners statement that they
were capable of dealing with the situa
ton in the manner indicated At his
direction Gen. Wood. chief of staff.
ordered troop of cavalry held in
readiness for a sudden call. and that
arrangement, said Secretary Stimson,
was carried out
It was long after the parade started.
said Secretary Stimson. before any ap-
plication was made for the services of
the troops. and there was no delay
whatever in compliance when it was
received.
In other words. said Secretary Stimson.
the troops appeared for duty Immediately
after the Commissioners sent word they
needed assistance.
All he desired, said Secretary Stimson.
was that the record of the War Depart
ment be kept clear and that officials really
for the situation do not shift
that responsibility to where ii does not
belong In the opinion OF Secretary Slim
son, after Congress had provided the
money for additional policemen and had
authorized the parade. 1t was clearly the
duty of the local authorities to see that
the pa rade was protected, especially after