New-York tribune., 1916-02-19
MRS.SANGER FREE
WILL STILL FIGHT
Birth Control Advocates
Learn She Won't
Face Trial.

Advocates Of birth control had just
completed their defences for last
stand for their militant leader, Mrs.
Margaret Sanger, accused of sending
improper matter through the mails.
when need for their we'll developed
plans was suddenly wiped out last
night.
The Margaret Sanger defence com
uittee was in the midst Of meeting
at the home of Mrs. Rose Pastor Stokes
when a telephone message was received
in which it was announced that she
would not be compelled TO face trial.
The two-year-old indictment against
Mrs. Sanger had been dismissed By
Federal Judge Dayton.
Hurried Inquiries revealed that after
The numerous postponements that nave
PREVENTED the case from coming into
court Assistant District Attorney Con-
tent decided that there was at least
reasonable doubt regarding the guilt OF
the birth control advocate. He went
before Judge Dayton, explained that
"The Woman Rebel" Mrs. Sanger's
magazine, had not been placed in the
nails for two years; that Mrs. Sanger
was not a disorderly person, and that
there were many reasons for question.
ine whether she ever had had criminal
intent in sending her propaganda
through the mails.
On the strength Of these arguments
Judge Dayton quashed the indictments
Mrs. Sanger then found herself IN the
rcculiar position of having escaped so
much as trial for writing and seno
ing through the mails literature that
caused her husband, William Sanger, TO
he sentenced to thirty days in jail for
tho simple act of handing one of the
offending documents TO a visitor at his
Office.
When these facts reached the com
mittee its members were in the midst
of a plan for big demonstration to-
morrow night az the Bandbox Theatre.
The original purpose of the gathering
was TO call attention TO the fact tnat
Mrs. Sanger WAS about TO become
MARTYR for the cause OF birth control.
But when it became evident that hrs.
Sanger would not become martyr,
would not appear "a her own LAWYER,
would not read her own defence from
her own documents, the programme
was changed. The meeting will be
held tomorrow night, but as luDlls-
fion only. and Mrs. Sanger and many
of tho women who aided her in pre-
paring her defence will speak, accord
ING TO guarded announcements made
last night.
Mrs. Stokes, who Is active in arrang-
ING the demonstration, said the plans
would be announced to-day. Until
then she could give no further informs-
tion.
Yesterdays action by the govern
mont is expected to result in renewal
OF the campaign for birth control, that
was at its height two years ago. when
Mrs. Sanger was indicted following
complaints made by Anthony Com
stock. Mrs. Sanger Immediately ned
10 Europe and escaped trial for several
months.
But the vice crusader WAS informed
that her propaganda was being clrcu-
lated despite her absence. A detec-
tive was sent 70 the office Of her hus-
band. anarchist-arch:tect, and story
of plans By Socialists 20 translate the
arguments for birth control into for
eign languages was told. After lengthy
explanations the detective asked for a
copy OF the original matter sent out by
Mrs. Sanger. The husband handed II
10 him and forgot the transaction until
he was arrested. charged with distribut-
ing improper matter.
Sir. Sanger appeared in Special Ses-
sions and argued his own case with
such effect that he was found guilty
and sentenced to spend thirty days in
Jail.