Today -100: September 9, 1913: Of yodelers and secretaries of state

British suffragette leader Emmeline Pankhurst is coming to the US for a speaking tour, but will immigration officials bar her as a dangerous criminal? The NYT thinks she’s “not likely to do much harm. If she attempts to lecture on white slavery she will probably be checked by the will of a people who have tolerated too much filth on the platform and have been brought to realize that no good has come of open discussions of such subjects. If she urges the American women to smash windows and assault officials her advice will not be heeded, and she will lose whatever influence she may possess.” The Times light-heartedly (I think) suggests a deal with Britain in which the US hands Mrs P over to them in exchange for Harry Thaw, the escaped murderer still fighting extradition from Canada.

Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan is off on his Chautaugua lecture tour, and says he has no objections to the circulars announcing that he will appear on the same bill with jugglers, magicians, yodelers and other vaudeville-type performers.

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