The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-12-26
PARD0NED
SOC|AL|6 I
SEES
PRESIDENT I
Will Devote Tour to Telling How
Brutal Government Treats
Victim, He Says.
Rx MILDRED MORRIS
BY MILDRED MORRIS.
international News Service.


A warning against commercial
izing the notoriety which Eugene v.
Debs has received and the hope
that he may "direct his talents to
a useful purpose" was expressed in
a statement issued today by Attor-
ney General Daugherty after
thirty-minute conference with the
Socialist leader at the Departmenx
of Justice.
-Dauxherty said that mo unasE.s'
conditions" had been attached to The
Communication of sentence granted
Debs for his release from the At
lanta prison on Christmas Day.
II have received call from Mr.
Debs," the Attorney General said. II
volunteered no advice to him and he
conditions attached to his commuta-
ton. His call upon me was on his
own volition.
Daugherty Hits At Socialism.
II have nothing further to say re-
garding Debs' call or regarding his
case except that hope he may direct
his talents to a usefufl purpose. And /
trust that the notoriety he has received
may not be commentaries. I saw
this because l observe gathering
about him and undertaking to promot.
him. persons who have not the best
interests Of the country or society
at heart.
His life's efforts. pursuing as he
has until now. when he is again free
n In ip1p
should not be commercialized."
Daugherty announced that he would
shortly give out for publication his
recommendations in the Debs case.
Gets Warm Greeting.
MY object in doing this" he said,
will be to refresh the memory of
the American people of Debs' viola
tions Of the law and to inform them
Of the reasons for his Communication.
I hope II will be educational to some
extent"
Officials and attaches of the De-
partment Of Justice warmly greeted
the Socialist leader on his arrival.
Gene Debs, Terre Haute's popular
citizen and the lovable personality
who left prison with the affection OF
even calloused guards. had won
mer visit TO the Attorney General.
Leaves for White House.
After HIS conference with Daugh.
erty, Debs stood for several minutes
on the sidewalk talking with the
newspaper men and posing for pho
tographers.
Asked for comment on the state.
ment issued by the Attorney General,
Debs said:
"All / can say is that I saw Mr..
Dauehterty at Mr.. Daughterty's in
vitation. I am not at liberty to say
any more at this time"
Debs then walked from the Depart
ment of Justice to the White House,
where he went into conference with
President Harding shortly before IL
o'clock.
Before entering the Executive offices
at the White House Debs again sub.
mitted to being photographed. He
presented an awkward figure in his
iii ll-fitting clothes.
Entering the offices, he WAS met by
a policeman and asked the usual
questions required of visitors.
Goes Back Alone.
Debs said that he came to the
White House to see President Har-
ding at the request of Attorney
General Daugherty. He was told to
go back to the office of the Presi-
dents Secretary alone, the other
members of his party waiting in the
outer office. Newspapermen congre-
gated about Debs as he waited, and
he was closely Intercepted as TO his
visit here.
my release was unconditional"
Debs said, "but was requested to
come TO Washington before going 20
my home, and also asked not to give
out interviews along the route"
do YOU consider that you have
been told not to talk7" Debs was
asked. -NHf
mo" he replied. II am merely
regarding II as a question OF pro-
priety."