The Washington times., 1917-10-11
WHITAKER GOES
BACK IN CONTROL
At OCCOQUAN
CONTINUED from First PAge.j

oeC-J
mischievous agitation, and utter dis
regard of all rules and regulations
has been exhibited by them" says
the committee in its report to the
Commissioners.
THE application of the usual and
ordinary rules governing the conduct
of prisoners was resented, and a posi-
tive and continuous effort to stir up
discomfort and to lead and create In
subordination was exhibited. In Mr..
Whittaker's absence the Commission
ers placed in charge OF the institution
Alonzo Tweedale, auditor of the Dis
trlct OF Columbia, a man so well
known in the District that no state
ment of his abilities, his integrity
and record for humane action need
be given.
Worse Under Successor.
'Under his rule the seditious effort
and conduct referred to increased
with the increase in number Of
members OF the National woman's
Party committed to OccoQuan. His
efforts to enforce rule and discipline
were thwarted at every turn, and the
climax OF INSTRUMENTATION was reached
on the Bird day of October, when one
Of the parties referred to was about
to be removed from Occoquan for
hospital treatment in Washington.
Notwithstanding that this removal
had been communicated to friends of
the party and was approved by them,
when she was notified that she was
to 60 to the hospital In Washington,
the other members of the National
Woman's Party committed to Deco
guam declared that she should not go,
and brought on q riot which was dis
graceful in act and came very near
being serious in results.
The officers. and guards at Deco
guam are worn out by overwork and
inmates excited by the conduct of the
members OF the National Woman's
Party, and this is seriously threaten
ing the enforcement OF discipline and
endangerlng the usefulness of the in
stitution. The parties who have by
letter and otherwise Informally
brought to your attention matters of
complaint have been. as above indi-
Gated, given opportunity to appear
and testify and this opportunity has
been declined. The conditions OF un-
rest at Occoquan have become so in
flammatory that no useful investiga-
tion depending, as It necessarily must
depend, upon the evidence OF those
who are under stress OF. excitement
and discomfort could now be made,
and under these circumstances the
Board Of Charities advises:
Boards RecommendatIonH.
THAT the investigation directed by
the Commissioners of the District of
Columbia be postponed until the condi-
tions OF unrest. excitement and dis
quiet at occoQuan have been over
come;
THAT the order relieving W. H.
as superintendent, temper
arily and without prejudice. be re-
voked and Mr.. Whitaker restored to
his position as superintendent:
That the members OF the National
WomAn's Party now at OccoQuan be
informed that unless they obey the
rules OF the institution and dlscon-
tinue their acts Of insubordination and
riot, they will be removed from Deco
guam to the city jail and placed in
confinement"
Review is made by the committee Of
the complaints filed by Miss Lucy Burns.
Mrs. Gibson Gardner. and other members
of the National Woman's Party, whicS
of Charities that an investigation be held
and that pending the inquiry superin-
tsndent Whitaker be relieved Of direc-
lion Of the workhouse.
ConpIainants Absent.
Attention is directed to the meeting
held October 2, to which the complain
ants were invited. and the letter filed
by Dudley Field Malone, J. K. NJ. Nor
ton, and Samuel @. Brent, counsel for the
suffra gettes, refusing to permit their