New-York tribune., 1921-03-26
Debs Returns
To Cell; W ont
Talk of Trip
Confers With Lawyer OH Way
From Capital; Greeted by
Warden and Reporters
on Arrival in Atlanta
Goes Direct to Prison
Attorney Says Socialist Re-
canted Nothing at His
Meeting With Daugherty

ATLANTA, March 25.-Eugene V.
Debs, Socialist leader, returned to the
Atlanta Federal penitentiary to-day to
resume the routine OF prison life after
his trip to Washington, where he dis
cussed his case with Attorney General
Daugherty
The Socialist leader, who is serving q
ten-year term on conviction Of violat-
ing the wartime espionage act was
smiling and cheerful as he alighted
from the train, and in the brief time
before he met the warden and was
whlsksd away to the prison answered
every question. except those about his
conference and his chances of release.
Il appreciate the confidence shown in
me by letting me 60 alone and on my
honor to Washington said Debs, "and
enjoyed the trip"
Yes, I'm going back to be a good
convict again. he said smiingly a mo-
ment later in answer to a query as to
whether he was going directlv to the
prison.
The Socialist leader feels that the
department Of Justice has been fair
and square with him SO far, no matter
%haS the final decision is, according
to Samuel Castleton, attorney for Debs.
Castlcton Joined him at Buford, Ga.
this morning and discussed the status
Of the case.
Attorney Thinks Chances Are Good
PERSONALLY, I think his chances are
good, but that is only my personal opin-
the result Of the conference. "Mr.
Debs made it plain to the ATTORNEY
General that he had nothing to take
back. nothing to recant," added Castle
ton. and he was nos asked to. They
discussed the case in three hour con-
ference. I wish were permitted to
give details of what took place"
Debs left here Wednesday morning,
his departure shrouded in secrecy on
orders from Washington, but there was
no special effort to prevent his return
becoming known. Warden Zerbst, who
WAS said to have received orders from
the station, declined to say what train
he would come in on, but after Debs's
arrival he made no effort to prevent
Debs talking to any one who cared to
question him.
the two shook hands in hearty fash
ion as Debs alighted from the train,
Debs greeting the head of the peni-
tentiary with "1m mighty glad to see
you again, Mr.. Warden"
Immediately there was volley of
questions from newspaper men and the
warden, apparently by design, dropped
to one side and let the prisoner make
his own replies.
"Oh, can't talk to you about that, "
Debs said to almost every question re-
garding the conference in Washington
and the chances of pardon as result
Of it.
The entire trip was uneventful, Debs
said, adding that he enjoyed it and felt
fine. He was evidently enjoying the
novelty Of being outside the prison
walls
Motion picture cameras were grind
ing away as he passed down the station
and for a, time he would not pause to
permit special pictures, but he finally
yielded and with brief apology to the
warden for his delay, faced the battery
Of cameras.
Warden zerbst drove the car in
which he and Debs and Castleton went
to the prison, and passing by the post
Office halted a few minutes while Debs
made another trip alone. This was into
the postoffice to mail some letters Half
All hour later he was back in the prison
again.