Evening star., 1917-03-05
WOMEN IN PARADE
AT WHITE HOUSE
Five Hundred Suffragists
March in Rain for Nation
Wide Amendment.
CARDS FOR THE PRESIDENT
CARDS FOR THE PRESIDENT

Nearly 500 women suffragists braved
the stormy weather Of yesterday after
noon in a demonstration before the
President Wilson and the people of the
country their anxiety to be given the
right to vote. In single file. carrying
banners. they marched around and
around the Executive Mansion and Of
fees, the gates of the grounds being
closed and locked, and they left with
policemen at the western gate group
Of cards denoting their call when they
found that the White House offices were
closed because of the day being Sun
day, and that Secretary Tumulty was
absent
Mr.. Tumulty. in fact. was at home
asleep, after having been up nearly all
night. in connection with the interna-
tional situation, and President Wilson
was occupied with conferences in his
study at the White House in connection
in charge of the police at the White
House gate, received the cards, and
this morning had them turned over to
Mr.. Hoover. the chief White House ush-
er. when the White House offices again
| opened for business. He explained to
| the suffragists that the orders for some
time at the White House have been to
admit no callers to the grounds except
by previous appointment.
Two-Hour Demonstration.
The demonstration took place shortly
| after O'clock and was not ended until
| 5 O'clock. Two bands marched with
the suffragists around the White
House. playing patriotic and sacred
music Wet and beraggled, but smil-
ing cheerfully none the less, the WON
en- battled with the rain and cold dur
ing their march. Most of them wore
oilskin coats and rubber hats and caps
with heavy overshoes and, in some
cases, rubber boots. They were ap-
plauded from time to time by spec
tators. many of whom are visitors here
for the Inauguration ceremonies but
the sightseeers were not out in large
numbers. owing to the inclement
weather.
The women began their march around
the White House by way of Executive
avenue east They passed around the
rear Of the White House, along the Ell
lipse and came to the gate of the
White House offices by way of Ex-
ecutive avenue west, marching thence
down Pennsylvania avenue and pass.
ing through Executive avenue east
again. From time to time. late in the
demonstration, a marcher here or there
was obliged to drop out of the pro-
cession from fatigue
Sent in Their Cards.
Tho committee which endeavored to
send their cards to Secretary Tumulty
included Mrs. o. H. P. Belmont of New
York. Mrs. Florence Bayard Hilles of
Delaware, Mrs. John Rogers of New
Jersey, Miss Anne Martin of Nevada,
Miss Mary Weibel of North Dakota
and Mrs, Vernon Rood of California.
They stood upon the steps at the west
gate to the White House grounds until
nearly 8 o'clock. in silent demonstra-
tion," and when they first appeared
and endeavored to send in their cards
all the marchers stood at attention,
also in silent demonstration"
Miss Vida Milholland, sister of the
late Inez Milholland Boissevain. and
Miss Bliss Finley of Washingt ton
headed the procession. bearing banners
with legends, among them 1--WE demand
an amendment to the United States
Constitution enfranchising women"
The marchers were composed of dele
cations from various states. each
headed with a banner bearer, giving
the name of the state, and all of the
marchers carried banners made of the
suffrage colors-yellow, purple and
white.