Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-10-19
P|CKETSONSTR|KE
/ DECLINE TO WORK
Claim They Are Held at Deco
guam as "PoIiticap'
Prisoners.
JAIL CELLS AWAIT THEM

Following their serving OF an uitiHa
tum upon the District Commissioners
that they will not work because they are
political prisoners" eleven pickets con-
fined IN the District warehouse. at DC:
coquan, will be notified today that un-
less they resciaaihe decision and obey
the rules of the Institution they will
be moved to the District Jail and placed
in solitary confinement.
The latest developments growing out
Of the activities of the militants began
with the sending of letter by the
prisoners to the Commissioners. Octo-
Der Is, in which they give fiat notice
that they will do no further work. The
board of charity yesterday recommend
ed to the Commissioners the action to
be taken to suppress this insubordina-
ton, and the District heads today ap-
proved the boards recommendation.
Text Of the Ultimatum.
Their strike declaration is as fol-
lows:
ITO the Commissioners of the District
of Columbia:
LAS political prisoners. we, the I'M
dersigned. refuse to work while in
prison. We have taken this stand as
matter of principle. after careful con-
sideration. and from 1t we shall not re-
cede.
This action is necessary protest
against an unjust sentence. In remind
ing President Wilson Of his pre-elec-
ton promises toward woman suffrage
we were exercising the right of peace
full petition. guaranteed by the Constt-
tuition of the United States, and further
safeguarded by the Clayton act and
court decision which declares peaceful
pickeung legal in the District of CO.
lumbia. That we are unjustly SEN
fenced has been well recognized-when
President Wilson pardoned the first
group of suffragists who had been
given sixty days in the workhouse, ard
ed sentence for the last group Of pick
eters. We wish to point out the incon-
sistency and injustice of our sentences
some of us have been given sixty
days, later group thirty days, and an
other group given suspended sentence
for exactly the same action.
Conscious, therefore. of having act
ed lin accordance with the highest
: Commissioners of the District to grant
us the rights due political prisoners.
We ask that we no longer be segregat-
ed and confined under locks and bars in,
other and that Miss Lucy Burns, who is
in full sympathy with this letter, be re-
leased from solitary confinement in an
other building and given back to us.
I'VE ask exemption from prison work,
that our legal right to consult counsel
be recognized, to have food sent to us
from outside, to supply ourselves with
writing material for as much CORE
spondence as we may need. to receive
books, letters, newspapers, our rela
tives and friends.
Our united demand for political
treatment has been delayed. because ON
entering the workhouse we found con-
ditions so very bad that before we
could ask that the suffragists be- treat.
ed as political prisoners it was neces-
sary to make stand for the ordinary
rights of human beings for all the In
mates. Although this has not been ac-
complished. we now wish to bring the
important question Of the status az
political prisoners to the attention of
the Commissioners. who. we are in
formed. have full authority to make
what regulations they please for the
District prison and workhouse
The Commissioners are requested 70
send us written reply. SO that we
may be sure this protest has reached
them"
From Board Of Charities.
The board Of charities. to which N.
letter Of the militants was referr.a
made the following Recommendation to
tho Commissioners. which was the
basis Of the action taken TO-DAY.
The prisoners referred to, since that,
commitment to Occoquan. have yioiat ad
in many ways, constantly and persist
emily and with an attitude Of determi-
nation and defiance. all Of the rules ne
fusing to work. although the work a.
signed them Is Of the highest characfsr
and suitable in all respects to female
prisoners
They violate In other regards the
rules of the institution, and heretofore.
80 rs. itfiN iicEe counsel and u