The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-04-12
ODELL MADE ONE CONCESSION.
THE BEDFORD REFORMATORY
NOT TO BE DISTURBED.

He wanted II Turned Into an Insane Asylum
on the Advice OF the "Wiser Head"
Fiscal Supervisor Bender - Bender
Caught In Its wave 0f Economy.
ALBANY, April 1.-THE adverse criticism
OF Gov. Odell's determination to subordi-
nate to his individual political will the
interests OF the State insane and charitable
institutions has forced some concessions
in the legislation he is pre- ssing. But such
conce ssions do not in any way interfere
with the Capitalization OF the authority to
purchase groceries and provisions for these
institutions. The most important advan-
tage that has been gained by the friends
Of thesa institutions was the passage yes
terday OF Assemblyman James X. Apgar's
bill, appropriatng $4,000 for improve
ments at the New York State Reformatory
for Women at Bedford. Westchester county.
This action indicated that the bill fathered
by Gov. Odell to abandon the Bedford
reformatory as such and to turn it into an
insane hospital is dead.
Gov, Odsn urged the passage Of such
hill upon tho sole ~ commentator Of his
wiser he ad" in charities legislation, Super
visor of State Charities Harry II. Bender.
Mr.. Bender after two or three short visits
to the institution urged Gov. Odell to recom-
mend such legislation.
That Supervisor Bender has failed in
his purpose to wreck this institution and
to deprive Greater New York and vicinity
Of this much needed reformatory for women
is due largely to the Efforts OF Mr.. Apgar
and James Wood. the Quaker presi-
ds mt Of the board Of managers OF the re-
formatory. with the eht ctive aid OF Mrs.
Josephine Shaw Lowell OF New York city.
Mrs. Lowell was a member Of the board
OF managers Of the Bedford institution
until last fall, and was largely responsible
for it's establishment. She resigned be-
cause she wanted to be in a position to
defend the institution. She n allied that
IL she remained as a manager Gov. Odell
might say she was dscourteous II she
criticised her superior officer. Mrs. Lowell
il only one of many who have spent years
i'm ameliorating the condition OF the poor
and unfortunate OF New York State whose
services Gov. Ode II has discarded.
The wave Of economy which Supervisor
Bender has 80 theoretically and unwisely
been directing toward the State institu-
tons that are unfortunate enough to be
under his supervision has. much TO his dis
may. caught him also in the undertow. Mr..
Bender has been endeavoring to have the
Legislature pass an item giving him lump
sum OF 81 500 annually for personal ex-
penses without his submitting vouchers to
the State Comptroller
No one who knows Mr.. Bender or
has kept track Of his movements since he
has been Fiscal Supervisor believes his
expenses In visiting the State institutions
under his supervision would amount to
more than $500 a year. This is the view
taken by the legislators, and they have
amended his item by providing that instead
OF the 81 500 being allowed in lump sum.
he shall have to submit to the State
Comptroller vouchers for oil expenditures
that he may make while travelling. Mr..
Bender now receives a salary Of % 600, and
this 81 500 was intended to make up the
compensation which Gov. Odell thinks his
services entitle him to.
This salary of Mr.. Bender's is 81 900 more
than the elective State officers receive.
with the exception OF the Governor and the
Comptroller II has been a matter OF COM
ment In Albany that since Gov. Odell has be-
come Executive the salary Of about every
Office he has established with a view Of
carrying out his policy OF economy ap-
proaches the salaries ofthe members OF the
Presidents Cabinet. and Is much higher
than that paid to men Of ability and inteR-
rity In the service OF the Federal Govern
ment at Washington.
The criticism OF Gov. Odell's centralixa-