The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-12-27

EUGENE v. DEBS, RELEASED FROM
FEDERAL PRISON, GOES DIRECT TO
WASHINGTON AND SEES HARDING
Conference Is Held at White
House Between Socialist Lead
er and Attorney General.
fRy The AssoeIated Pressl

WASHINGTON, Dec, 26.-Eugene
". .Debs, the socialist leader whose 10
year prison sentence for violation OF
the espionage act was commuted on
Christmas day, came here today di-
rect from the Atlanta federal peniten-
tiary and called upon President Hard
ing and Attorney General Daugherty.
Mr.. Daugherty said that Debs came
Of his own ''yolition' while Debs de-
clared his visit to Washington was at
the request" of the attorney general.
and that he was given a railroad ticket
Ito the capital by the warden of the
penitentiary without choice of des-
tination, although he had planned to
go Immediately to his home at Terre
Haute, Ind.
After his conference with Debs, the
attorney general declared in a state
ment that there were no unusual con-
ditions attached to the Communication
of the socialist leaders sentence, that
no advice was offered to Debs nor
was an requested, and that he hoped
Debs would direct his talents to a
useful purpose.
No statement was made at the white
house after the conference there, but
upon reaching his hotel Mr., Debs broke
the silence he had maintained from
the moment of quitting the peniten-
tiary and declared he would devote
his time to the freedom OF all prison
ers. He added that he had discussed
his opinions with President Harding
in order that there might be no mis-
understanding as to his principles and
ideals.
Debs reached washington at 8
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 q
sleeper. With him on his journey
were his brother Theodore. Miss Celia
Rooter of the Debs freedom confer
ence. Miss Lucy Robbins Of the Amer
lean Federation of Labor and a num-
Der of newspaper men.
He went Immediately to hotel for
breakfast and then called upon the
attorney general, walking to the de-
partment of justice with his friends
and a group of newspapermen, unno-
ticed as he passed along the streets.
From the department he walked over
to the white house and then back to
his hotel
He first planned to leave Washing
ton as soon as his calls had been paid
but tonight it was decided to remain
over until tomorrow night to confer
with friends. One of his first visitors,
after his return from the white house.
was Samuel Gompers, president Of the
American Federation Of Labor, who
declared that the work for freedom lin
behalf Of political prisoners would
go on.
Until he had seen the president, Mr..
Debs maintained complete silence
regarding his visit to Washington and
his future plans although he chatted
freely on other topics and evidenced
keen enjoyment OF his freedom. His
only comment upon the statement is
sued by Mr.. Daugherty after their con-
ference, was that he came here at the
latter's invitation. However, when he
reached his hotel after his call at the
white house. Mr.. Debs described his
release from prison, his trip to Wash
ington and outlook for the future as
ne now sees it.