New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-07-01
0DELL WANTS INQUIRY.
RANDALL ISLAND CASE.
Dir. Orr asked to Sft Charges
about Industrial School.

Albany. June Ex-Governor Odell to-day called
upon Alexander Orr. president of the board OF
mana gers of the Randall Island Institution Tor Ju-
venile Deinquents. to investigate thoroughly the
charges that the children confined in the instltu-
ton starved and badly clothed. The Governor
calls Mr.. Orrs attention TO the fact that the in
sttution is State institution, but really PIT
vately conducted one to which both the city ana
the State contribute money, while the State mas no
authority to dismiss or to punish any delinquent
officer of the institution that lying entirely with
the board of managers He calls attention to the
further fact that the per capita cost of mainten-
ance in the Randall Island Institution is SILL as
compared with $2O6 at the Rochester Industrial
School The Governor sums up his statement as
follows:
First-That this is not State institution but
private charitable organization. -. :.
NeW-York Jointly with State appropriations and
that the actual decrease in the amount allowed by
the city of NewYork in the last two years was
not set forth in the report of the board OF managers
ThirdNThat the allowance for provisions and
clothing is greater than in any similar institution
cap fe than at tie rochester Industrial school
and for clothing M % 81 there
has been economy it has not been at the expense
of these two important items
Furthermore l find from perusal Of the, re.
port which 1 have referred to that the health OF
the inmates has been remarkably good Inc total n
number of treatments during the year has oee 9I
f OF W4Gh e of typhoid
fever sixteen cases OF Pne4ohi4; er Two Of minor
While the aim of these reformatores has been to
measure out a degree of punishment While instruct
ing the youth in useful trades and giving them an
earCatIeh i Dn veIihood upon their release it has
been recognized that perhaps the desire OF IS
committing magistrates. who alone have power 70
commit children to our reioT ffnps Of similar
character those who should never be thus NEAR
du from evil associations to prevent them
from becoming members OF the crlnlnaI CLASS it
unless be shown that there is gross and dagrant
abuse OF p0%9r t ny Of harmless and
mischievous boys If the parents do not raise Cd
The legislature has sought to prevent such abuses
by establishing chldrens courts ana Ploo o duio os
further ampIiied at the last session of the legis-
atuT by et m its avs had the honor to
sign While their immediate effect will be; per
Of Your institution it would be well for your board
TO investigate and place proper protecion arou1u
those who s cannot De clasSneu aS CRIMINALS
The continuance of the States appropriations
pine is maintained. because it is. now the aim OF
The charitable and State aUthores Of yc606
for which an n mas aeaGy o e9d more
direct benefit to those who are placed In reform
in your Investigation you may give due considera-
ton to it and prepare Tor b aH in
criminoogy to avoid the necessity or the state az
action as NAV entirely remove from your care the
inmates who in its discretion 1t has placed unoer
your control 49, III,
With this statement of facts I trust 5 you Til
Immediately take up this important SUBJECT give
to it careful Investigation and apprise me Of the
result ...o,
I promise you In return my cordial cooperation
in any possible way to bring about such condtionss
as may be deemed desirable in the enforcement OF
discipline in Improving the physical and moral
condition of the inmates and in making possible an
effciencv of nanag cement which will rebound not
only to the credit of the institution and the beneht
of its inmates. but the City of New ork ana
the state which are equally interested in the
reformation of Juvenile delinquents- yours very
truly, % d. OIf1l1A1' 'iN