Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-10-16
STORY
UNJUST TO WOMEN
No Warrant for Questioning
Integrity of Miss Drake
and Mrs. Symons.

| and Mrs. Symons.
Several weeks ago . dispatch from
New York was printed in The Star
stating that District Attorney Swami
had ordered Miss Ethel Langdon
Drake and Mrs. Mary E. Symons to
cease their activities in behalf Of q
section sanitaire." which was to
operate twenty-five ambulances in
France. and to turn over to the French
! ambassador q fund Of $4,000 col
lected in promotion Of that enterprise.
1t was further stated that on account
of this action training camp at Bay
side. Long Island. where nineteen
| young women were undergoing In
struction for work in France, had
been closed.
1t has developed that this action,
which directed public attention to-
ward the two women in an unfavor-
able light, was wholly unwarranted,
and that there is no ground for ques-
tioning their good faith or integrity
In the matter of the organization Of
the section sanitaire" in the war
zone.
Boston Paper Explains.
The Boston Herald and Journal has
published the following account of
their work and the manner in which
II came under question:
Mrs. Symons is an Englishwoman
or property and standing. Her hus-
English army. Since November, 1914,
she has maintained, largely at her
own expense, hospital in France in
which many wounded French, English
and Qately) American soldiers have
been treated. Her hospital was early
given formal Official recognition by
the French government, and she has
received the medaille deS affaires
strangers for her work and the croix
de guerre for bravery.
Miss Drake, an American woman
living in London at the outbreak Of
the war. became connected with Mrs.
Symons' work at the time Of the re-
treat Of the Germans from Noyon in
March, 1917, and has remained with
her. caring for refugees and sharing
the hospital work ever since.
Unfortunate Transaction.
ION September 81, 1917, at Paris.
representative Of an American auto
mobile concern, wrote an order, in
terms suggested by him. for twenty
five truck chassis for ambulances,
an acceptance Of the order. The
terms of these papers and of g sup
Elementary oral understanding made
at the same time were such as would
have led a person experienced in
business to hesitate. The agent was
al W rf int h @
cars at the front Shipping space was
hard to secure. Other obstacles had
to be overcome. The two women stood
well with the French and English au-
thorities. They were accustomed to
generosity where the wounded were
Miss Drake offered the twenty-five
ambulanceS to the French govern
ment, which thankfully accepted them.
The en- matter ;. Of T., drivers .S was fully dis
and Miss Drake was officially author
lied to proceed to America to enlist
sufficient number of young women
for that purpose. Mrs. Symons was
purpose of raising money for the
further development and equipment Of
her hospital. in view of the probable
need Of additional beds for American
wounded.
Both Highly Indorsed.- s.
Upon their arrival in New York the
French consul general Endorsed upon the
Authorization of each q special recon-
mendation to all American officials and
citizens.
publicity was at once given to their
GRAND by the newspapers. Among the
women who called upon Miss Drake in
New York was a famous golf player,
who proposed plan for the raising of
money for twenty five additional ambu-
lances by country wide exhibition golf
tour to be conducted by the champions
husband, who was also to be treasurer,
and to have entire control of the funds
raised
"To this plan. with lack of judgment
which she now recognizes. Miss Drake
assented. She and Mrs. Symons started
on the trip. The trip extended from
June IL to August 1: but on account Of
questions about their motives and plans
Miss Drake and Mrs. Symons returned
at the end of the first week. Much
money was realized from the exhibi-
tons, but neither Miss Drake nor Mrs.
Symons had any control of it, or ever
received either the money or any addi-
tional ambulances. No $4,000 or any
other sum in any wise connected with
or taken from Miss Drake or Mrs. Sy-
mons has, according to the French am
bassadof, ever been turned over to the
French embassy. Before the trip was
begun they had asked and received the
cordial permission Of the French gov
eminent to bring over the additional
ambulances-
Stories Spread About Women.
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