The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-03-26
DEBS RETURNS TO
RESUME ROUTINE
OF PRISON LIFE
Socialist Leader Smiling and
Cheerful But Refuses to
Discuss Prospect of
Pardon
BY Associated Pres.

Atlanta, March 25.-Eugene V. Debs re-
turned to the Atlanta federal peniten-
tiary today to resume the routine of
prison life again after his trip to Wash
iEgton, where he discussed his case with
Attorney General Daugherty.
The socialist leader who is serving a
10-year term on conviction of violating
the wartime espionage act was smiling
and cheerful as he alghted from the
train and in the brief time before he met
the warden and was whisked away to
the prison, he answered every question
asked him except those about his con-
ference or his chances for release.
81 appreciated the confidence shown i'll
me by letting me go alone and on my
henor to Washington said Mr.. Debs,
land enjoyed the trip
Yes, I'm going back to be good con
vict again" he said smilingly a moment
later in answer to a query as to whether
he was going directly to the prison.
TREATED SQUARE
The SOCIALIST leader feels that the de-
pertinent of Justice has been fair and
square with him so far, no matter what
the final decision is, according to SAM
uel Castleton, attorney for Debs. Mr..
Castleton Joined him at Buford, Ga, this
morning and rode, back, discussing the
status of his case.
Personally, ] think his chances are
good, but that is only my personal opin-
ion," said Castleton, when asked about
the result of the conference. Mr.. Debs
made it plain to the Attorney General
that he had nothing to take back. moth
ing to recant," added Castleton, land he
was not asked to. They discussed the
case in a five-hour conference. l wish |
were permitted to give details of what
took place.
Debs left here Wednesday morning
his departure shrouded in secrecy on or
ders from Washington, but there was no
especial effort to prevent his return be
coming known. Warden Zerbst, who
was said to have received orders from
Washington to meet the prisoner at the
station, declined to say what train he
would come on but after Debs' arrival
he made no effort to prevent Debs talk
ing to any one who cared to question
him.
.GLAD TO SEE YOU"
The two shook hands in hearty fashioa
as Dehs alighted from the train, Debs
greeting the head of the penitentiary
with I'm mighty glad to see you again,
Mr. Warden
Immediately there was pop-fire of
questions from newspaper men and the
warden apparently by design dropped 20
one side and let the prisoner make his
s own replies.
ooh, / can't talk to you about that, "
Debs said to almost every question re-
garding the conference in Washington
and the chances of a pardon as a result
of it.
The entire trip was uneventful, Debs
said, and added that he enjoyed it and
felt fine. He was plainly enjoying the
novelty of being outside the prison walls.
Motion picture cameras were grinding
away as he passed down the station
and for time he would not pause to
permit special pictures, but he finally
yielded gracefully to the opportunities
and with brief apology to the warden
for his delay, faced the battery of cam
eras again.
Warden Zerbst drove the car in which
he and Debs and Castleton went to the
prison and passing by the post office.
the Warden halted few minutes while
Debs made another trip alone. This was
into the post office to mail some let
tiers Half an hour later he was back
in the prison again.
When he does leave the penitentiary
for good Debs expects to go to Terre
Haute, Ind, and spend some time with
his family. his attorney said, and will
make his future plans then.