Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-07-19
TOLD
LIBERTY. Is THEIRS
Ignorant of Pardon, Convicted
Women Plan Appeal to
Higher Court.
NOT REQUIRED TO ACCEPT

From STAR Correspondent.
OCCOQUAN, Va, July 19.-Enttrely
In ignorance of the Presidents pardon,
the sixteen militant picleets Mt the Dis
trict workhouse here today determined
to select four OF their number to ap-
peal their Police Court sentence and
take the case to a higher court. This
was the program decided on by the
women after taking the advice of Dud-
ley Field Malone. The Presidents par
don, however, may change the program
entirely.
Supt. Whitaker was informed by
newspaper men that tho pardon had
bean granted by the President. but he
would not allow this news to be given
to any of the women.
He said that when the pardon reached
him he would call the women together and
read it to them
"They do not have to accept the pardon v
said supt. Whitaker.
Not one Of the sixteen appeared today
to be anxious to leave here in advance OF
the others, but there were indications that
some of the husbands Of the women are
about ready to force matters by paying
fines. One husband is reported to have
told his wife that either she would leave
Occoquan or leave him" At the last re-
ports the woman had not given notice that
she would be willing to leave OccoQuan.
Plenty of Room for More.
If the National Woman's Party cohorts
plan to continue their picketing Of the
White House, and II Judge Mulfowny, in
consequence Of such picketing, continues
to impose workhouse sentences. the Oc-
Ill o. liz
all the woman prisoners that may be sent
here, Supt. Whitaker said today. The
plant Is equipped now for handling 500
additional female prisoners.
Reports that efforts were being made
to induce President Wilson to take q
Anthony suffrage amendment as an enner-
gency war measure apparently had not
reached the prisoners this morning. 9upt.
Whitaker absolutely has forbidden all
ferences with members OF their tInme-
diate families and their attorneys. The
press photographer and the mSvie man
have been refused permits to enter the
grounds.
All the women slept we'll hast nigf1t ana
were routed out Of their cots ut $50
O'Clock this morning. 1t was q gloomy
day that broke over the institution. but
this did not seem to dampen their Ardor
or determination to stick out the sem
fences.
Breakfast was served at z o'clock. It
consisted of oatmeal, sugar and milk,
prunes, bread and conee. There was a
noticeable Improvement in the appe-
tftes of many OF tho prisoners, though
they continued to eat sparingfy Of tho
food
After breakfast the women went to
the sewing department. where they
will be employed until 1t is developed
hat moi 90
special work.
supt. Whitaker this morning inter-
viewed each prisoner separately and
impressed upon her some OF the re-
quirements of prison discipline. It again
was made plain that no favors would
be shown and that the women would
be amenable to all rules alike with the
other prisoners.
Have Made no Complaints.
After talking with the militants. Mr.
said:
They had no complaints to make Of
the treatment accorded them. It seems
to me that they expect to serve the full
time OF their sentence. II they are
thinking about taking an appeal they
did not Indicate the fact to me-"
Mr. Whitaker said that some OF the
stronger women, who want outside
work. may be assigned to the lawns
and gardens. In this event they will
be required to wear gray prison bloom
ers. which is q rule Of tho Institution
applying to outside work.
Nine hours Q DAY Of good, solid work
Sunday. The work begins At 1850 am.
and continues until IL o'clock, when a
half hour Is granted for lunch. It is
resumed at 1890 o'clock and continues
until pm.
Although attractive lawns and walks
fianked by blooming flowers surround
the buildings comprising the female
department. the militants who may be
assigned to inside work will have little
fro tsat to enjoy the ,s aside
between the various buildings.
Workhouse Attractive Place.
. Externally the workhouse 10 q good
deal more attractive place than one
would imagine. 1t occupies a high ele-
walton with . commanding view OF the
Potcmac river, which winds lss way
anon Ethe hills ave miles distant. II
the women were given the freedom Of
form their Incarceration might moi Be
much OF hardship. But every one
works at OccoQuan, ana tho miiftants
are sure to do their share OF sevfne
menoing clothes Of prisoners and max
ing shirts, dresses. pants and under
Mrs. John Winters Brsnnan Of Nsv
1orx the dean OF the delegation, was
the nrst to be interviewed by Mr.. WHIT
tAher tnis morning. Although but re-
Gently recovered from a severe fliness.
Mrs. 6rannan said she felt easal to the
task OF serving the full sentence and
mesiaS all the requirements Of the In
statotaon- Ii the women have any In.
tention OF going on a hunger strike.
they nave given no indication Of i4a'
On the contrary, they are making q
brave enort to consume food vhic6 ~
y evsoent they have no appetite for.
WhSther they will be able to eat aufa i.
cisntly Of the prison fare to provide the
neceesa1 nourfshneut they viii need
for the work before them probably n
the element OF greatest doubt ia thu
entire situation.
Crops are good at the penal farm this
year and tomatoes, potatoes. cabbage,
now being gathered and canned. There
wont b any trouble about q suf,.
cheney OF food for the largest numha,
Of militant Dicksts that might be een-
fenced to Occoquan.
occoquan Is IAN Agog.,
The coming OF the pickets has h..n
the biggest event in the history 81
the occoauan institution. whieh has
been in existence only seven years. It
has been the sole topic OF CONGREGATION
between officials. guards and prisoners.
Naturally. 1t has not enlisted a much
interest in the male department. where
there are AS prisoners. a. in the IL :
male department. where there now ia \
total of ninety-four prisoners. fnclud :
ing the pickets. In the latter depart
nent the prisoners who were already
serving sentences uAAp -. -tn..-s