The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-08-14
The WAR BEGINS.
Charges Against Supt. Charles
of Reform School.
DIR. Eva Harding of Topeka
Files Them Today.
SECRECY is OBSERVED.
Board of Control Refuses to
Make Charges Public.
They Cover Alleged Irregular;-
ties and Improper Food.
Beard May Investigate When
Members Get Ready.

Charges were filed today by DR.. Eva
Harding before the state board of con-
troll against Superintendent Charles of
the state industrial school in this city.
The members of the board of control
refused to make public the charges,
and one of the members said:
IT doesn't do any good to make pub
lie such things. Anybody can come in
here and file charges
will the charges be investigated 2's
was asked.
I'VE are very busy now" was the re-
ply. "All the work Of organization of
the institutions is under way. The in.
stitutions have been running along for
some years under the present manage
ment, and they can probably run a
while longer without serious injury. We
will take up these charges when we get
to them''
1t seems to be the impression that
strong influences are being brought to
bear upon the board to retain Charles
as superintendent. Indications are that
the charges against him may be side
tracked, or that Charles may be given
coat of whitewash when the charges
are investigated.
charges, said this morning:
Il have filed my charges, but 1 was
given to understand by the board of
control that it would be a serious detri-
ment to my case to make public the
charges. While 1 would be very glad
if the public should know exactly what
charges are made, I feel that it would
not be to the best interests of the boys
at the institution, whom am trying to
help, to make public the charges. I
do not believe in doing such things in
the dark, and I would be in favor of
having the whole investigation public
| DR.. Harding stated that her own ex-
perience at the reform school as ply
sician dated back two years, and that
she had been obliged to obtain informa--
tion about recent occurrences from other
parties.
| 1t is understood that there are four
applicants for the position of superin-
| tendent to succeed Charles. They are
| E. H. Shumway, a Santa Fe office man,
DIR. ]. F. Buck of North Topeka, H. M
Philips and ex-County Superintendent
Stout All of these men bear good
regulations in Topeka Capt. Philips
was a leading candidate fer the Office
of state bank commissioner.
| 1t is said that Governor Hoch is
| backing up Charles, because they are
connected with the same religious de-
nomination, and for other reasons. It
is also said that a "'tip'' has been given
to Charles from some source to pre-
pare his institution for a thorough in
vestigation by the board, so it is pos
sible that something of that sort is on
foot.
On authority of those who furnished
| Information upon which the present
| charges are based, general summary
of the allegations can be given at this
| time.
: There are about 20 complaints made.
involving all manner of alleged mis-
conduct.
=
not take any personal interest in the
welfare of the boys in his charge; that
he did not visit the school rooms,
shops, etc, and that proper instruction
has not been given to the boys.
1t is claimed that a great deal of
state property has been misused and
wasted Many half-used articles, it is
claimed, were thrown into the creek,
so that new articles might be secured
from the state.
The charge is made that the superin-
tendent lived in luxury at an expense
to the state of $3.50 per month, while
the boys were obliged at times to eat
tainted meat and insufficient food.
One of the inmates, named Barnes,
it is claimed was obliged to work in
the hot kitchen when sick with fever.
and died from the effects within two
weeks.
The use of tobacco was permitted
not only to officers of the school, but
to the boys as well. 1t is claimed that
several of the employees are hab1tual
drunkards.
Cruelty is one of the charges. The
use of shackles riveted upon the legs
is alleged.
1t is claimed that at the time of the
Charles used money for the purchase
of books for the school library in the
purchase of books for his own family
use; that toilet articles for the super
tendent were purchased with state
funds: that rags were sold by Mrs.
Charles and old iron by the engineer,
and no money turned into the state
therefor.
1t isclaimed that at the time of the
flood, six gallons of whisky was sent
to the reform school for use of sick
among the flood sufferers, and that
this was all taken in charge by Super
| intendent Charles
Misuse of certain appropriations is
charged. It is claimed that certain
officers were employed for whom there
was no appropriation, and that some
employees have been drawing more
than one salary.