Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-07-19
PRESIDENT MAY
HELP SUFFRAG|STS
"Deeply Shocked" at Predica.
ment of 60 "Pickets" Now
in Jail.

Washington. July 1s-Either presi-
dental intercession in the cases of the
sixteen suffragists sent to the District
of Columbia workhouse yesterday to
serve sixty days for picketing at the
White House or appeal Of their cases
| to higher court appeared certain to-
night.
After a long conference with Presi-
dent Wilson. J. A. H. Hopkins. former
democratic national committeeman
from New Jersey and husband of one
of the prisoners. declared the President
had been deeply shocked at the whole
affair and on learning the circum-
stance had only one thought, namely.
to straighten the matter out"
The advisability Of urging the Susan
B. Anthony suffrage amendment as an
emergency war measure was discussed
by the President according to Mr..
Hopkins, who said he promised to sup
ply the White House with a canvass
| of Congress to show whether the pro-
| posal could be passed. He also de-
| clared the suggestion of a presidential
pardon for the prisoners appealed to
| Mr. Wilson, but as that would not stop
picketing. 1t is not regarded as likely
While Mr.. Hopkins was comforting with
the President Dudley Field Malone, col
| lector of customs at New York, was PLAN
ming an appeal in behalf of the women
He announced that he had retained
George Gordon Battle, New York at
torney. and another attorney whose name
he did not mention to aid him. Unless
efforts to have the President act are suc-
cessful the appeal probably will be taken
without delay.
None of the prisoners has expressed
a desire to be released. but it is probable
| that the fines of some will be paid within
| few days to set them free. Several
have small children at home, others are
old and weak and still others came to
than a week as pickets. Suffrage lead
ers are ready to pay the fines of any
who consent to it,
Mr.. Malone accompanied by Mr.. Hop
kins. ellison Gardner, whose wife is also
prisoner, Miss Lucy Burns and Miss
Mabel Vernon conferred with the pris-
oners to-day. Mr.. Malone was very
anxious that an appeal be taken and is
said to have offered to act as cornse. re
gardless of the effect it may have or
his government position. The prisoners
express the view that they would have
TO serve their sentences anyhow, and
they had as well have them over imme.
| diately. Mr.. Malone then conferred wifi
Mr.. Battle, Mr.. Hopkins, Frank p
Walsh, Kansas City attorney, an6
Others and announced that he woult
take the appeal. Tonight he went &c
the workhouse and talked with the womer
again.
The chief desire of persons urging the
appeal. 1t is understood, is to determine
If possible from whom the police obtained
their orders to break up picketing in from
of the White House. Mr.. Gardner declared
he had learned that the instructions wer,
coming from persons higher up" but dis
trict Commissioner Brownlow, who ha
charge of the police, tonight vigorousl,
denied that the orders originated with an,
one except the commissioners who admin
lister the district government.
1--WE are acting entirely on our own re
sponsibility," he said.
Suffragists complained tonight becaus
the prisoners are not being given specia
privileges at the workhouse. They ar
exactly as other prisoners, are forced t
eat prison fare, and wear prison clothe
and are denied privileges Of receiving Wis
itors at will, the use of their own toile
articles and unlimited correspondence
privileges.
Some OF the women are without stock
ings to-day, owing to a shortage of sup
plies, Mr. Gardner said. All of them ar
working in the sewing room.