New-York tribune., 1922-11-12
Ex-Soldier Ends
Amnesty Group
Demonstration
Hires Negro Boys to Garry
Banners Extending Sym
pathy of ''Sneak Thieves,
lnc.," and Other Bodies
Washington Police Called
Artnistice Parade Against
Holding War Prisoners
Halted at White House

WASHINGTON, Nov. 1l..--Petition
ers for general amnesty for imprisoned
violators Of var laws to-day utilized
the spirit Of Armistice Day in another
endeavor to influence President Hard
ing to pardon the sixty-four men still
serving sentences under the espionage
act.
With band Of FIVE pieces playing
"The Marsellaise", and two color-bear
ers carrying American flags at tn,
head, the amnesty seekers, more thar
200 strong and with banners, descend
ed upon the White House soon after
lington, where in the name Of tn,
American people he had placed s
wreath on the tomb Of the unknown
soldier. They had obtained permi
| to parade on Pennsylvania Avenue be
| fore the White House grounds, bu-
after doing this they turned into Wes
4 Executive Avenue toward the Whit,
| House offices, and then their troubles
began.
The procession proceeded quietly
until it reached the entrance to tht
! grounds near the executive Offices when
husky park police lieutenant stepped
out, choked off the band in the mids,
| Of Onward Christian Soldiers" and
Informed the leade.w that they then
ground and the permit was invalid
The band thereupon disappeared, but
those participating in the procession
remained with their banners about the
| grounds for an hour before adjournine
to Lafayette Square where an open ali
meeting was held.
The meeting In Lafayette Square, op.
| posite the White House, had barely
accompanied by half dozen negro
boys, appeared with a new kind OF
banner. These banners started coun.
ter demonstration, as the amnesty
seekers showed unmistakably that they
| resented the Inscriptions, some OF
which ran as follows:
Treason Amt No Crime.-Benedict
Arnold Patriotic Association. Inc"
"We Extend Our Sympathy.--pick-
pockets Association"
Greeting and Good Cheer.---Sneak
Thieves, Inc"
1--WE Want Out, Too.-Chicken
Thieves Society"
Police had to intervene between the
two sets of demonstrators, and when
quiet was restored the head of the
anti-amnesty group, Herbert B. Mayer
of New York City, who said he recently
was honorably discharged from che
10th Infantry, 9th Division, after q
long period of service, including two
years overseas, explained his purpose
"upon being informed this morning
that the long-haired men and short
haired women behind this movement
intended to parade on Armistice Day,
he said, 81 communicated my views
.1pon the subject to various patriotic
organizations, and the response. was
such as to lead me to believe that
was entirely wrong.
Overwhelmed by consciousness OF
NV error, determined to make amends
by showing sympathy with the cause
Of opening the Jail bars for the anti
war gentlemen la Debs.
entirely at my own expense, and
representing no one at all except my
self, hired the boys and made the
signs myself in butcher shop"
MIR. Mayer said further that he "of
course, had possible right to represent
the organizations named in the banners
his cohorts carried, but added that iii
this slight action of mine has in any
way demonstrated the buffoonery and
horror of demonstrations such as this
on Armistice Day--the day on which
we honor our dead comrades who did
not stay in iail-the little feature will
have achieved it's purpose"