Early 20th Century Anarchy: 1917.02.21: MAYOR MITCHEL OF NEW YORK MEETS STARVING WOMEN; HELP IS PROMISED

February 21, 1917

MAYOR MITCHEL OF NEW YORK MEETS STARVING WOMEN; HELP IS PROMISED

Poorly Clad Delegates, With Tears Streaming Down Their Faces and Little Children In Their Arms, Tell Executive They Will Starve on City Hall Steps Unless Relief Be Given.

IMMEDIATE INVESTIGATION ORDERED; RESULTS FRIDAY

Marie Ganz “Sweet Marie” Declares Many Persons Are Starving to Death Every Day In New York—Dramatic Session as One by One Women Relate Their Wrongs.

By United Press.

NEW YORK, Feb. 21.—Mayor Mitchel this afternoon promised to do all in his power to cope with the advances in food prices which have resulted in food riots in the East side.

Women who called on him demanding action today threatened to "starve on the City hall steps" unless he took some action in the food price situation.

Mitchel said he would order the department of charities and the board of public health to make an immediate investigation, results of which would be reported to the board of estimates at its meeting Friday. At this meeting the women were asked to present an outline of what, they would like to see done to relieve food conditions.

The meeting of the mayor and women was most dramatic. Poorly clad, with tears streaming down their faces, little children in their arms, they told the city's executive they would send, some of their number to starve on City hail steps unless no gave them some relief from the food prices.

Tell Mayor Their Troubles.

One by one they took their turns in telling their troubles. Some spoke in English and others in Yiddish, through an interpreter.

Mrs. Ida Harris, who led several hundred women in an assault on the City hall yesterday, started the speech-making when she cried:

“We want justice and mercy. We come to you because all the people elected you. We are good American citizens. Our sons would be willing and eager to fight America’s battles, but they can’t do it if they first starve to death. We deserve and we demand better treatment.”

Marie Ganz, “Sweet Marie,” told the mayor that many persons are starving to death every day in New York.

Mayor Mitchel suggested to his visitors that they write personal letters to their congressmen or representatives in the state legislature, making suggestions.

President to Get Appeal.

President Wilson will today receive an appeal from thousands of women who are unable to get food.

The resolution to be forwarded to the…

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MAYOR MITCHEL OF NEW YORK MEETS STARVING WOMEN

…President was adopted at a mass meeting just after it had been decided that 500,000 women will march in Wall street past the offices of J.P. Morgan and company and that another large throng will parade Fifth avenue at night in protest against food prices.

Forward Hall, where the meeting was held, was entirely inadequate for the crowd that surged about its door. One thousand were squeezed and jammed through the doors before order was restored and then they tried to fill it more, with the result that several were dragged beneath the feet of the crowd and trampled.

The greatest confusion precipitated by the shouting women and screaming children followed. Speakers shouted and pleaded for quiet, but it was an hour before anyone could make himself heard.

Jacob Panken, a lawyer, told the people that J.P. Morgan and company is holding thousands of tons of food for shipment to Europe and advised the women of the East side to organize for a huge demonstration in Wall street. He pledged the funds of Hebrew labor unions to aid in the fight for food.