The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-08-26
FROM DIR. HARDING.
She Explains Her Actions in Reform
School Crusade.


DR.. Eva Harding resents the insin-
uations which have been given out in
some of the newspapers that she is
making her fight on Superintendent
Charles of the boys reform school for
the purpose of getting some one else
into the position.
In Communication to the State
Journal today, DR.. Harding says:
Topeka, Kan, Aug. &c, 1905.
To the Editor of the State Journal:
I think it is an outrage the way I
have been misrepresented in some of
the city and state newspapers, as to the
reform school matter, just now being
agitated. One would think I was the
cause of all the offenses enumerated,
from the way I am constantly remind
ed that 1 have only "hearsay evidence"
to substantiate the charges I have
made against the institution.
"Hearsay evidenced" How in the
name of heaven could L get anything
but hearsay evidence? l am not a
member of the board of control. nor
am employed in the institution, and
the last time 1 visited the institution,
the employees, with two exceptions,
were afraid to speak to me, for fear
they would be discharged. Hearsay
evidenced Let me give you some sam
pies. Some of the boys telephoned me
once when the weather was very cold
that they had no warm bed covers
and were nearly freezing and asked me
to help them. I informed the COVER
nor, but he did nothing, as the boys
telephoned, Nothing doin'." 1 then
informed the State Journal. and it
published the complaint at once. The
result of this was that I received a
message. "All right-blankets COM
ing" Again the boys let me know
they had bread. water and onions for
breakfast This was hearsay evidence
which [ could not verify because no
employee would tell the fact for fear
of losing his position. But the COM
plant was correct, as l found out
later through on employee who resigned
his position.
Two years ago, when the newspapers
were publishing complaints of the way
the school was managed, went to tn e
governor again with my hearsay evil
dence, but no attention was paid, no
good resulted. Later complaints came
to me from the boys of cruelty, neg
lect and inhuman treatment, and when
there was a change in the administra-
ton, and the newspapers had again
started the ball to rolling, I went to
| the board of control with my hearsay
evidence, and they refused to have
anything to do with it, unless would
| formally file my charges. Under pro-
test I did this, but some of the wit
nesses are so intimidated by the way
have been treated that they refuse
to give any evidence to sustain my
! position.
1 have been interested in the Reform
school ever since 1 came to Topeka
Notwithstanding I am known by mos
people as man hater, I seem to be 1ef
alone to fight for these men in embryo
At my own expense went to Cincinnati
to the meeting of the National Associa
ton of Charities and Corrections to Sc
cure the next meeting of this organize
ton for Topeka, in the hope tina
| through a state organization established
at that time, humane people would be
come interested in our charitable insti
tutions and so perhaps improve the con
ditions of the Reform school Blu
through some influence help has failet
to come from this quarter.
! The insinuation made that I am try
! ing to get Charles removed, merely t,
get candidate whom 1 favor in hi
place is absurd. I have been fighting
| in the interest OF the boys. and all m.