1914.07.22: WOMAN ANARCHIST NOT ALLOWED TO STARVE



July 22, 1914

WOMAN ANARCHIST NOT ALLOWED TO STARVE

Dr. Davis Says. Miss Edelson Will Be Fed Forcibly.


New York, July 22.—The hunger strike of Reba Edelson continued last night when she refused the workhouse supper of boiled rice with syrup bread and coffee. The youthful woman anarchist began her fast yesterday after announcing she would rather starve herself to death than serve the term of three months passed after her conviction for inciting to riot in a speech in Park row during the anti-Rockefeller demonstrations in this city; Miss Edelson was taken to Blackwell's Island today to begin her sentence.



Dr. Katherine B. Davis, commissioner of corrections, has instituted a careful watch upon Miss Edelson's case after announcing that the woman would not be allowed to starve to death.




"Doctors all over the country who have been feeding patients forcibly agree that human beings can go anywhere from four to ten days without food," Dr. Davis said. "As soon as the doctors in the workhouse decide that 'Becky' needs nourishment, she will be fed. You know I can't have any prisoners kill themselves in any of my institutions."


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