The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-10-04


her hair becoming very much dIsar-
ranged. In view of this diversion,
vas enabled to get Mrs. Johns out on
the front porch, and due to the coun-
sci, 1 believe, OF some Of her wiser
companions, she entered the automo-
bile with my assistance and was &C
companied by the nurse OF the female
department.
1 Immediately directed the doctor
to proceed. but found 1t necessary
to unwind the fingers of some OF the
sunragists from their hold on the
automobile in order to prevent their
serious injury when the machine
started. While those incidents were
proceeding on the inside of the re-
ception room, a number OF the sufrra-
gists, as have stated, had surround
ed the outside OF the entrance and
were making threatening gestures at
Mrs Herndon, who was endeavoring
to restore order on the outside, and
who had been followed by a number
OF the colored inmates from other de-
partments Of the institution.
Miss Bloomfield, II was observed
by one OF the officers, had secured a
large stick or club from on OF the top
OF the drain pipe at the side of the
building, and was just in the act of
striking the matron on the head
when the attention Of the colored in
mates was called to this action, and
they Immediately forced Miss Bloom
field out Of striking distance and pro-
tected the life of this officer.
Not desiring to use unnecessary
force. reasoned with these inmates,
and after a few minutes they deter
mined as q matter of policy, to re-
turn to their quarters In order to
accomplish this without using force, I
assured the inmates that I would al
low Miss Burns to telephone to their
headquarters, realizing that in max
ing this concession I was very
generously constituting the rules gov
erning the discipline of the institu-
tion, but / was particularly anxious
that these women should learn from
the mouths OF their own representa-
tives that the word of the superin-
tendent, when given, could be depend
ed on. and that an order issued by
him had positively torbe enforced, and
that in the case OF Mrs. Johns, he
had taken up the matter of her trans
fer with their representative, Mrs.
DIR. Parker, and that what was being
done was for the best interests and
the more perfect health of the one
who was suffering.
Miss Burns accompanied me to my
office In the administration building
and was enabled to get into communi-
cation with Miss Paul. at the Cameron
House In Washington, who, from
what I can learn OF the conversation,
gave her absolute assurances OF the
proper hospital treatment and care
of the patient. and that their head
quarters had been advised fully be-
fore the transfer was made.
1 have assured these suffragettes |
by talking with them during the past
six days that I have been at this In |
stitution, that should endeAvor, as |
far as I was personally concerned, to |
treat them with as much consider
alton as II was possible under the |
rules OF the institution, and 1 have I
asked for their cooperation in main
tanning the rules and regulations OF |
the establishment. Their constant re-
ply is that they don't know what
The rules are, that they are changed
from time to time. This reply Il in
my Judgment, simply an evasion OF
The facts, the rules OF discipline are
clear and positive, and It was evident
BY today's actions that they do not
intend to be governed by the rules
of this institution unless force is ap-
Piled, which / very much regret and
hope to avoid.
In a conversation with one OF the
later in the afternoon
why these women had at
.empted to prevent my sending Mrs.
Johns to the hospital. and she stated
hat the suffragists hadn't been con-
suited. In view OF the manifold II
iuties and functions OF this insti-
tuition. 1 do not believe It possible
70 successfully carry on its opera
ions under such directions. II
After Miss Burns had been assured
~ their headquarters that their dem
and attempted use OF
physical force was unwarranted and.
n contravention OF the health. safety
md care OF one OF their own sick SUI
'ragists. she assured me that she
would talk to the other women for
he purpose of having them comply
With the rules OF the institution.
One Incident occurred during the
lttempt to carry out the orders re-
,elved to remLve Mrs. Johns to the
hospital. which was in the line with
he instructions given that no blow
ihould be struck by any OF the OFF,
,ers One of the suffragists, who was
Induly excited. struck one of the male u
,fficers a vicious blow in the face.
lie acted as a gentleman and followed
he instructions given to the officers
II this Institution.