Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1924-03-05
The True Story of
Woodrow Wilson
By DAVID LAWRENCE.

cause of suffrage constantly endeav-
change his mind. Three outsiders
who were adroitly trying to convert
Mr. Wilson by the slow process OF
Carrie Chapman Gait. Mrs. Anna
Howard Shaw and Mrs. Helen H.
Gardener. He later appointed Mrs.
Gardener to be member Of the civil
Service Commission.
When MIR. Wilson finally yielded to
the arguments of the suffragettes he
when 1 find two Of my daughters
such ardent suffragettes. passion
ately devoted to the cause. and when
find also uuch refined. cultured
Mrs. Gardener equally devoted and
conscientious I must concede that
some of my prejudices were unreal
sonable and that the desire for the
ballot cannot be limited to the rela-
lively few agitators. A cause which
could enlist the enthusiastic. devoted
idealistic support of ouch ladies must
be wholesome"
Attitude Toward Plckets.
In this connection 1t Is worth while
perhaps to relate the inside story
about the picketing of the White
House and Mr.. Wilson's part in the
incident which the militant suffra-
gettes always charged was tyranni-
cal. They blamed him for throwing
them into Jail. To them Mr.. Wilson
was represented as furiously indtg-
the presidency to fight back at them.
The actual facts are that Mr.. Will
son did none of these things. The
Commissioners Of the District OF Co
| iumbia, in whom the police power is
vested In Washington. repeatedly
| Of the picketing Of the White House,
Repeatedly Mr.. Wilson said to them
Let them alone; They don't worry
me a particle. If they derive any
the White House or standing with
! their banners. for goodness sake. let
| them do it. not only do not object
| but I never think about 1t except
| when I ride through the gates in the
| afternoon on my way for drive
1 tent"
! Later on. when the United States
| severed diplomatic relations with
| Germany and an international crisis
was growing, the District Commits
| sioners sent for the leaders of the
/ militant suffrage group and appealed
| to them to forego picketing because
| 1t looked as II the United States
would enter the war ana II was ue
! sirable for all forces Of the nation
| to appear united. They declined
! After war was declared the appeal
was made again. and once more the
Commissioners urged the President
| to permit them to break up the pa
| rades and the picketing, but he re.
fused. At none Of these conferences
I, did he reveal the slightest irritation
( about the picketing. His attitude
on the other hand. was one Of amuse.
| ment- His eyes always twinkled and
| he chuckled as he talked.
| Crowd Attacked SufFraEettes.
| One day an unusually large crowd
| gathered In front Of the White House
| and attacked the suffragettes. The
| police reserves were called out. and
| 1t was with difficulty that the mill.
| tants were saved from bodily harm
! This finally became a regular occur
! renee in the front of the White
| House as the clerks were leaving the
! government departments at 43t
| o'clock. Maj. Raymond w. Pullman
superintenden OF police. and him.
| self an ardent believer In woman
| suffrage for years. was accused OF
! melting the rioters. but he was really
| trying to protect the picketerS from
| harm Appeals to Mr.. Wilson were
of no avail Finally the secret serv-
ice, charged under the law with the
| duty OF protecting the White House
| took the initiative and, cooperating
with the police. caused the arrest OF
the suffragettes. This, of course