The Washington herald., 1917-10-12
SUFFS TO ASK
AID OF STUART
Governor Of Virginia to Get
Appeal from Impris-
oned Militants.

ira, supt. w. n. Whitaker. tenn
porarily removed from power as neao
OF the Occoquan w,rkhossc. pendins
IN investigation of charges against
his Management brought by the Ma
tional woman's Party. viii De rem
rtatsd Saturday and that picket pris-
oneu face solitary confinement IN
the District jail In the event OF fur-
Eher disorder, are the two leading fea-
lures Of report yesterday rendered the
District Commissioners by the investi-
eating committee.
Declaring the probe OF workhouse
conditions brought TO an end Tor the
time being by yesterdays findings OF
the Charities Board to be farce,
Miss Alice Paul. leader Of the mill
tant Foman's party. said that an ap-
Peal would next be made to Gev.-
IT. O. Stuart, Of Virginia. She added
that prisoners sent to the workhouse
for picketing would not change their
tactics though threatened with i'm
prisonnent In the District Jail and
thar they would continue to fight
'sfor recognition as political prison.
ers In order that they may have the
liberties and privileges accorded per
sons who are locked UP on account or
the political faith.
Brownlow Refuses to Comment.
President Brownlow, Of the District
Commissioners, when confronted with
Miss PauPs ultimatumr said to re-
porter: This Is very interesting
nevs-to the Governor of Virginia"
Refusing to take part in the prooe
of the District workhouse because the
sessions were to be held In secret, fol-
lowing the general policy Of the Char
tiles Board in such matters. attorneys
of the SUITS failed to present witnesses
and afidavits on Tuesday, October z.
when the investigating committee,
consisting of John Joy Edson, Geo. M.
'Kober. George E. Hamilton and D. }.
Kaufman, assembled to hear COM
plants.
In a statement heartily indorsing the
stand of its investigating committee
the Board Of Commissioners approved
their action.
The Commissioners have approved
the recommendations of the Board OF
Charities after most careful consider
alton. They believe that If the COM
plants of unbearable conditions at
Occoquan were made in good faith,
that the compliments should have
come forward with the testimony
when given an opportunity by the
Board Of Charities.
Proud of Institution.
AS a matter Of fact. the District
Workhouse at Occoquan Is an institu-
ton Of which the Commissioners are
proud and which Is a source of pride
10 every citizen Of the nations Capt.
tai 1t represents an advanced step
81 Ina
tons In the United States and its
pre-eminent position is generally rec
osized BY competent authorities
throughout the Union.
Discipline will be maintained at
the Occoquan Workhouse. Every COM
plant made by any prisoner, visitor,
or other person. whether based upon
knowledge of fact or credence of a
rumor. will be investigated, and IL any
condition that should not exist is dis
covered to exist, it will be corrected
For the present, the board of Com
missioners Of the District Of Column
oia is content to approve the recon-
mendations Of the Board OF Chari-
ties
Guards Worn Ont.
Following are some important ex-
tracts from the report of the inves-
tigation:
From the date 6 the commitment
OF the first OF several groups of the
National Woman's part to Occoquan.
spirit Of characterization, of mis-
chievous agitation and utter disre-
gard Of all rule and regulation had
been exhibited by them.
in Mr.. Whittaker's absence the
Commissioners placed in charge of
the institution, Mr.. Alonzo Tweedale,
Auditor OF the District of Columbia.
man so vell-known in the District
that no statement of his abilities. his
integrity and record for humane ac-
ton need be given. Under his rule
the seditious effort and conduct re-
ferred to increased with the increase
in number of members Of the National
Women's Party committed to Deco
guam. His efforts to enforce rule and
discipline were thwarted at every
turn, and the climax Of insubordina-
tlon was reached on the 3rd day of
October. when one of the parties re-
ferred to was about to be removed
from Occoquan for hospital treatment
in Washington.
The officers and guards at Deco
guam are worn out by overwork ana
inmates excited by the conduct OF the
party. and this is seriously threaten
ing the enforcement of discipline and
endangering the usefulness of tn.
institution"
1. That the investigation directed
By the commissioners Of the District
OF Columbia be postponed until the
conditions OF unrest. excitement and
disquiet at Occoquan have been over
come.
. That the order relieving W. Fl.
Whitaker temporarily and without
prejudice. be revoked and Mr.. Whit
taker restored to his position as sup
erintendent.
J. That the members of the Ma
tional Woman's party now at Deco
guam be informed that unless they
obey the rules OF the institution and
discontinue their acts of insubordina-
ton and riot, they will be removed
from Occocuan to the city fail and
placed in solitary confinement"
MIMI rnnuV nrUvunrn