1914.07.23: REBA EDELSON, IN JAIL, KEEPS UP THREATENED HUNGER STRIKE July 23, 1914

REBA EDELSON, IN JAIL, KEEPS UP THREATENED HUNGER STRIKE

I.W.W. Agitator Says: “If I Die My Friends Will Do Something”

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HUNGER STRIKER SPURNED

THESE PRISON MEALS.

Prison meals which Reba

Edelson refused to eat:

Dinner.

Vegetable Soup.

Boiled Beef.

Potatoes.

Green Peas.

Bread.

Supper.

Bread.

Tea

Apple Sauce.

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New York, July 22.—Reba Edelson is again on hunger strike.

She declared one yesterday morning immediately after Judge Swann of General Sessions had committed her to the workhouse in default of '$300 bail to keep the peace for three months. She had been convicted of disorderly conduct because of speechmaking in Printing House Square last April, and her appeal was decided adversely last week. She came to court wearing a huge bouquet of American Beauty roses and accompanied by half a dozen agitators, including Alexander Berkman, Charles Plunkett, and Louise Berger.

After being sentenced, Reba remarked:

“Your Honor. I want to announce that I think this is unjust, and to show my approval I am going to start a hunger strike in prison."

True to her word, she refused to eat either dinner or supper in the Tombs.

After she had fasted thirty-six hours a matron brought her a supper last night consisting of a bowl of rice with syrup poured over it, two slices of bread, and a cup of coffee. But she sniffed and muttered “Take it away.”

But neither Commissioner Davis nor Deputy Commissioner Lewis of the Department of Correction is worrying. They remember that the last time Reba hunger-struck the sight of two broiled lamb chops, coupled with a two-days appetite, broke the strike.

Commissioner of Correction Davis is going to try to put Reba to work scrubbing floors or sewing this morning. If the girl refuses she will be placed in solitary confinement in one of the regular prison cells.

Forcible feeling is going to begin just as soon as the girl shows signs of physical weakness. For this, Dr. Anne Huber, the workhouse physician, obtained yesterday a rubber tube about a foot long. If Reba persists in her refusal to eat, this will be thrust through her nose three times a day and liquid food pumped into her stomach.

Berkman said yesterday the Anti-Militarist League and the Ferrer Association would hold a joint meeting to decide what to do in Reba’s case.

"If this woman dies." said Berkman, "we will hold the authorities responsible, and you may be sure we will take some action."

“If I die,” said Reba, “you may be sure that my friends will do something.”

Reba told her counsel she wanted him to take her case to the Appellate Division at once. She said a lot of things to reporters, including this: “Judge Cain is like so much vermin to me and too far beneath me for me to notice him.”

Berkman sent out last night what he called the ultimatum of the Anarchists calling for "fair" treatment of the young woman. It included the statement: "If anything serious happens to Miss Edelson the prison authorities will have to pay for it."