The Washington herald., 1917-07-19
wilson Hears
"SUFFS'" PLEA
While Martyrs" Toll, Sup
porters Argue with Presii-
dent for Amendment.

From outside the White House the
militant suffragettes yesterday sue
ceeded in bringing their cause di-
rectly before President Wilson.
While sixteen exponents Of the votes
for women principles were sweating
and toiling at the occoquan work
house their Supporters among the Ma
| tional Womans party accomplished
| these things:
l. ]. A. H. Hopkins, Of New Jer-
sey, expounded their cause before
President Wilson.
2. George Gordon Battle, OF New
York. one OF the ablest attorneys in
! the country was enlisted to fight the
appeal of the convicted suffragettes.
3. Mrs. Abby Scott Baker was
selected as a missionary to carry the
doctrine of woman suffrage and the
injustice of the Imprisonment to all
political forces and chieftans close to
the administration.
About the White House interview,
the statement of Mr.. Hopkins best
expresses 1t. It says:
Mr.. Hopkins came from the inter-
view impressed with the idea that
President Wilson has been deeply
shocked at the whole affair and on
learning the circumstances has had
only one thought, namely, to straight
en- the matter out. He asked Mr.. Hop
lSins for suggestions as to what might
be done, and the latter replied that,
in view of the circumstances of the
present situation, the only solution
lay in the immediate passage of the
Susan B. Anthony amendment.
May Pardon Jailed PIckets.
One of the suggestions that evident
ly had been made to the President
was for a pardon for the women at
the workhouse. This suggestion seem
ed to appeal to the President, but it
was apparent that this would be only
temporary relief since the picketing
would undoubtedly continue and the
agitation go on until the entire ques-
ton is settled.
The President discussed the advis-
ability of treating the suffrage
amendment as war emergency meas
ure and asked for data which would
throw light on the question whether
it would be likely to pass Congress
with the necessary majority IL he
should add 1t to his war emergency
program.
Mr.. Hopkins volunteered to furnish
him a convass of the House and SEN
ate on this line.
Battles Arrival UnheraIded.
George Gordon Battle arrived at the
Hotel Shoreham without any prelfm-
mary announcements from the "suffs. Z"
In fact. they were disturbed that the
knowledge Of his presence had be-
come public.
He had a dinner engagement with
Dudley Field Malone. of New York,
in which George Creel unconvention-
ally Joined.
After the dinner Mr.. Malone mo-
tored to Occoquan and held an in
formal conference with the prisoners.
While Mr.. Malone was motoring to
the workhouse, Superintendent Whit
taker was on his way to Washington.
The workhouse boss wants to know
Just how he will treat his distinguish
ed prisoners.
No Protest of Prison Fnre.
None of the prisoners has made
protest against "slum'' and "muIIi-
gan which are part of the Occaquan
Dill OF fare. Nevertheless it is thought
few can hold out long.
The press agent of the militants
volunteered that the women have
the eye on the ball" They are not,
ne said, going to omplain about prison
iare and divert the discussion from
the main issue.
1t appears that Dudley Field Ma
lone has been unwittingly thrust into
the limeltght in the picketing war. He
Is collector of the port of New York,
and was coming from the White
House when the last demonstration
started. Without design he has be-
come one of the strong right arms of
the militants.
Cameron House said yesterday that
Mrs. Baker does not propose to see
Col. Roosevelt. She does intend,
however, to see all that are close to
the administration, and point out
what she belives is a great injustice
to the forces which are fighting for
votes for women.