Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1921-12-27
EUGENE V. DEBs CALLED
UPON PRESIDENT HARDING

Washington, Dec. 26.-Eugene V.
Debs the socialist leader, whose ten
year prison sentence for violation of the
espionage act was commuted on Christ
mas day, came here today direct from
the Atlanta federal penitentiary and
called upon President Harding and At
torney General Daugherty.
Mr.. Daugherty said. Debs came of his
own '"volition" while Debs declared his
visit to Washington was at the request"
of the attorney general and that he was
given a railroad ticket to the capital by
the warden of the penitentiary without
choice of destination, although he hads
planned to go Immediately to his home
at Terre Haute, Indiana.
After his conference with Debs, the at
torney general declared in a statement
that there were no unusual conditions
attached to the Communication of the So
cialst leaders sentence, that no advice
was offered to Debs nor was any request
ed, and that he hoped Debs would di-
rect his talents to useful purpose
No statement was made at the White
house after the conference there. but up
onSTeaching his hotel. Debs broke the
silence he had maintained from the mo-
| ment of quitting the penitentiary and
declared he would devote his time to
that he had discussed his opinions with
President Harding in order that there
might be no misunderstanding as to his
principles and ideals
Debs reached Washington at 9 o'clock
this morning. He left Atlanta in a day
| coach, giving the extra fare to Russian
relief, but about 10 o'clock last night.
! according to friends who accompanied
| him, he changed to a sleeper. With him
| on his journey were his brother, Theo-
| dore; Miss Celia Rotter, of the Debs
freedom conference; Miss Lucy Robbins,
| Of the American Federation of Labor
and number. of newspaper men.
| He went Immediately to hotel for
/ breakfast and then called upon the attor-
| ney general, walking to the department
| of justice with his friends and a group
Of newspaper men, unnoticed as he pass
ed along the streets. From the DEPART
ment he walked over to the White House
and then back to his hotel.
He first planned to leave Washington
| as soon as his calls had been paid. but
tonight it was decided to remain over m
til tomorrow night to confer with
friends One of his first visitors after
his return from the White House. was
Samuel Gompers, president of the Amer
lean Federation Of Labor, who declared
that the work for freedom in behalf of
political prisoners" would go on.
Until he had seen the president, Mr.
Debs maintained a complete silence re-
garding' his visit to Washington and his
! future plans, although he talked freely
on other subjects and evidenced keen en-
Joyment of his freedom. His only com
ment unon the statement issued by Mr.
Daugherty after their conference was
that he came here at the latter's invita-.
However WI ha =
tel after his call at the White House, Mr.
Debs described his release from prison
and his trip to Washington
L was courteously received by the
attorney general he said "and express
ed to him my interest in and my devotion
to my fellow prisoners who were no more
guilty than 1 and who still remain If
prison"
! By fellow prisoners he explained, h,
meant both political offenders and pris
oners in general"
AT tlh White house" he said. 81 wa.
received livery cordially by Presiden
Harding Bith whom 1 exchanged opin
ions and points of view so that he Nigh
perfectly understand my attitude in ref
erence to my future activities. Durin,
the visit I took occasion to express m!
appreciation of the consideration.
"At both the Offices of the attorne,
general and the president I was assure
| that my release was unconditional an
that of course I would not be expecte
to depart from my principles, conviction
and deals
Asked about his future activities. Nj
. Debs declared he would have to adjus
himself before making definite plans an
J that he would take his stand later
At Atlanta he added. he was complete
; ly out of touch with developments in tn
, socialist world because he was cut o
by the government from all correspond
, ! ence with it.