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[[preprinted]] TELEPHONE, MONROE 825
[[Image: Allied Printing Trades Council Chicago logo]] 236

1437 WEST OHIO STREET
CHICAGO [[/preprinted]]

October 31, 1913.

Dearest Dad:-

We have been having the most exciting times over the arrival of Mrs. Pankhurst and her detention at Ellis Island. It did not seem credible that that Special Board of Immigration would be stupid enough to refuse to admit her but when we received the word that they had decided that Mrs. Pankhurst should be deported you can imagine our indignation. Miss Addams and I called a meeting hurriedly calling the women together on about an hour's notice to protest against this decision being upheld by the higher immigration authorities - which happens to be Mr. Post as Assistant-Secretary of Labor. However the protests were arriving in Washington so thick and fast from all over the country that President Wilson at once called a conference with Secretary Wilson and Mr. Post to consider the question. The outcome was that Mrs. Pankhurst was allowed to come in without bond on her own recognizance and to be given the freedom of the country during her lecture trip. I still protested and was very lonely in my protest at first as most of the women including Miss Addams seemed to think this decision a great victory. But the decision plainly stated that Mrs. Pankhurst was to leave the country as soon as her lecture engagements had been filled. This seemed to me not what we wanted. She ought to have been accorded entire and absolute freedom of the country to stay as long as she wished. Not so much because she was Mrs. Pankhurst but for the precedent such action establishes in our country. Who knows who will be the next political refugee, and are we to deny them the right of asylum in America?

Well, after all Mrs. Pankhurst is due here in Chicago tomorrow morning and her meeting is Sunday. The Auditorium has been sold out and altogether it looks as if she would have a great reception. Raymond and I are giving a luncheon for her on Monday at the City Club.

I am leaving on November 6th for Seattle where I am to be a delegate to the American Federation of Labor convention. My address there will be C/o Mrs. E. M. Rininger, 22 Adrian Court, Seattle, Washington. Do send me a letter out there and let me know your plans. I know I will be terribly homesick so far away from home and I have to be there for the entire two weeks of the convention because of many important matters concerning our League which are to be considered.

With much^[[,]] much love,

Devotedly,
[[signature]] Gretchen. [[/signature]]

[[stamp]] ARCHIVES OF AMERICAN ART [[/stamp]] 
^[[Mrs.Peter Voorhees 1959]]