Evening journal., 1918-08-08
CONDEMNS ARREST
OF SUFFRAGISTS
Miss Rietta Emerson Says
Treatment of Women
Was Not Justified
SAYS MEETING
WAS ORDERLY

Miss Rletta NJ. Emerson, OF No. iOiI
! Washington street, this city, executive
secretary Of the WOmen's Christian
Temperance Union OF New Castle county
and a prominent suffragist made tn,
following statement today relative tC
the most recent police activity II
Washington against suffrage demon
strants:
''Since the public press has carried
so little news regarding the demOnstra-
tiOn Of the National Women's Party in
Washington on Tuesday last, / would
be glad to give my Impressions as an
eye witness.
'The general principle involved has
passed the stage where II needs de-
Tending. u has always been my great
desire. however, TO have an open mind
regarding all questions affecting our
social and moral well-being, and this
particularly holds good regarding the
best methods for obtaining speedily the
ehfranchisement Of woman.
The demonstration on Tuesday, ar
ranged as a protest against iLrther de-
| lay on the Federal Suffrage Amendment,
was most orderly, diEiiled and well ar
ranged. The process soC formed at the
headquarters Of the National WOman's
Party which faces the west side Of
Lafayette square. Fifty-elght women
carrying large banners OF the trl-color
emblem OF the party marched frs,
about six feet apart, down the west
side Of the square and along the south
side Of General Lafayette's monument.
These women were wives, mothers and
daughters OF men at the front and one
OF them carried a service flag showing
three stars representing sons she had
given 10 make the world safe for
democracy This group was followed
by a host OF other women, wearing
the regalia OF the party across the
shoulder, but without banners of any
kind.
"Of course a great crowd had gather
ed, including moving picture and news
paper men, and the marchers were
heartily applauded.
AT the monument the speakers and
those bearing banners mounted the
steps and grouped themselves in a
graceful fashion, with the banners at
the rear forming a picturesque back
ground thus making an attractive
tableau which one could not help ad- |
mirlng. whether friendly to the cause
or not
"The first speaker had begun her ad-
dress and uttered about fouF short SEN
tenoes when a Gordon OF police swept
up the steps OF the monument, arrest
ing the speakers and banner bearers.
When asked why they were being
arrested, the policemen did not seem
TO know, merely said they were acting
under instructions. The women sub
mltted quietly, still knowing that they
had done nothing wrong and the spirit
manifested by them was the subject
Of much complimentary comment. As
they stood I'm the brOiling hot sun,
awaiting the arrival Of the patrol they
cOnyersed pleasantly with the patrol
men who had them In charge and with
the crowd which surrounded them, so
that arguments were given out TO
smaller groups even though no regular
address was permitted.
"Great indignation was expressed, |
however, by manw in the assembled !,
throng over the fact that American wo-
men could be treated I'm such a manner
N the Nations Capital city and in sight
IF the White House. A number of men
wen went so far as TO offer any
mount Of bail for those who would
lccept II.
Even after the third load was sent
o the police court, crowded into a
mall patrol. with banners strapped on
he rear, land this on the hottest day
N record since 1881 in Washington
he crowds hung around and discussed
he matter very thoroughly.
"A little later Judge Ben Lindsey, II
whom / am told was scheduled to speak
Il the demonstration, but who was de-
aged by the lateness OF his train, ar
lived on the scene and after asking II
What had been done and was told, pro-
,eeded to express himself In no un-
certain way TO the people who gather
ID round him, and this was constantly II
augmented when 1t was learned who
was speaking, and why. A suffragist
stepping up to a policeman said: Why II
iont you arrest that man he is speak
ing in a public park Needless to say
he judge was not interfered with.
"TO one who believes that women
should be recognized as part of our
Republican form Of government and l
ina, we are not truly a democracy until Il
she Is so recognized, there could be
nothing distasteful in the manner OF II
protest made by this dlgnitied, woman
~ demonstration.
"And II there are still some folks II
Who remain unconvinced that suffrage II
'or women is a necessity they would
lave an object lesson in the group OF