Los Angeles herald., 1908-07-18
DIGS DEEP INTO
WHITTIER STATE
SCHOOL CHARGES
BOARD OF INQUIRY BEGINS
INVESTIGATION
DESMOND WILL ENLARGE AREA
OF HIS ATTACK
Charges Against Superintendent Gree
ley Include .Incompetency, Habitual
Winklng at Gross immortality
and Lax Discipline

The inaugural session of the board OF
charities and corrections inquiring into
the conditions at the Whittier state
school was late in getting to work yes
terday, but night session was held.
The Greeley faction expressed salts
faction with the days testimony, buc
the Desmond people remarked that
they would have their inning today.
Sensation marked the opening SEES
sion, as it developed that Trustee G, Z.
Desmond not only intended to carry
the fight against Superintendent }. +.
Greeley and Assistant superintendent
w. v. Coffin, but against two brother
trustees whom he has charged privately
with blocking him in his efforts to in
sure new deal at the institutions; an
administration in which the welfare of
the inmates shall be paramount.
The first Desmond bombshell was the
filing of a formal statement alleging
that Trustee Newlin had presented an
expense bill and Trustee Clark (then
president) had o KID it, although 1t
was irregular. 1t referred to a bill for
5000 representing expenditures of MIR.
Newlin on his trip to the national
charities conference at Richmond, Va,
and a side visit to Rochester, N. Y.
Both accused trustees made state
nlenIS saying IndI SUCH DlllS WeiS
Variably allowed when trustees were
absent on official business.
Generally speaking the charges filed
against Greeley are that he is incom-
petent, has winked at immortality and
has failed to maintain discipline, even
after his attention was called to gross
Irregularities.
Concerning DR.. Coffin, it was alleged
that he lacked sufficient skill to treat
all medical cases, and that he housed
his family in the administration build
ing. though the space was badly
needed.
AT the request of Governor Gillett's
secretary, e. C. Cooper Mr.. Desmond
made the charges against Greeley
specific, and they are reduced to TINS
statement:
Lax Discipline Charged
"That Mrs. Grace o. Willes. wife of
the bandrnaster and herself a music
teacher at the school, had love affairs
with Charles Willard and John Fahy,
inmates. That note from one or these
two to Mrs. Willes, disclosing inti-
macy, had been turned over TO dreeiey
yet he refused to act.
That Capt. L. Eugene Willes, her
husband made indecent proposals TO
Miss Bessie McCalmont, an inmate on
parole, yet, despite Desmond's instruc-
tions to discharge Willes, Greeley re-
That A. l.. McLouth, instructor in
farming, used brutality and foul IAN
guage toward inmates. and that Nc
Louth and his wife knew of Mrs,
Willes' affairs yet failed TO report
them, and that Greeley declined to dis
charge the latter two employees until
forced to by Desmond.
That Victor Henry, an inmate, wrote
love letters to Miss Cora White OF
Whittier and visited her often until
midnight though school rules required
ali to be indoors by O'CLOCK.
Later Mr.. Desmond ADDED tneSe
charges against Greeley:
Tbst Superintendent Greeley had IN
vfted a parole girl to take buggy rlqe
with him at night z
That certain boys were allowed uh-
usual privileges, including chewing ana
smoking. -. ,.,s,
THAT Greeley scandalized the girls
department by his actions.
That Greeley allowed officers of the
school to take some of the girls arouhu
Whittier and permitted ioVe oii"iAs ~
'TT9 That Greeley is untruthful and dis
That he permitted acts of cruelty,
and was sometimes cruel himset.
That Greeley recommended for paroie
bows whose conduct did not merit It,
Boards Late Start
When the Owl train discharged its
passengers yesterday morning tpe
hoard members who arrived were ). n.
Mclean of Berkeley, vice president,
Pev Charles A. Ramm, w. Almont
Gates. secretary, and E. G. COOPER thT
governors personal representatives
President Louis Rosenthall was expect
ed but did not arrive.
The party boarded the I0 O'CLOCK "a
ctfic Electric car for Whittier, where all
was in readiness for the meeting.
As it was late in the morning when
the school was reached, 1t was DECIDED
to wait till afternoon. Then an execu-
five session was held, at which Or. H.
of the inquiry.
mr. Moore in calling the board to
order said: 1--WE are here at the re-
ouest of the governor of California TO
inouire into conditions at the state
school 1t is the request OF the cover
. nor that the investigation be full and
COMPLETE. 1t is the purpose of the board
~ srp hevond these charges and to look
into everything pertaining to the
school" 4,,1
charges at the suggestion of Mr..
Cooper. the phrase was added that ip
Mr.. Greeley did not know OF the con-
ditions he should have done SO, tne
purpose being that inefficlency Woula
we're nermitted, whether with or with
out the superintendent knowledge.
NewIln Defends Himself
When the prelimineries had been con-
cluded Trustee Newlin asked the privi-
lege of making a statement. He said
that the bill of expenses for a trip to
seconded by Trustee Clark, he was
valid. BY motion of Trustee Desmond,
second by Trustee Clark, he was
authorized to represent the Whittier
school at the national conference of
charities and corrections April of this
year, and also to stop off at Rochester
later to examine the institution there.
He had turned In an itemized ex-
pense account, which was customary
on all trips made by trustees on busi-
ness for the school, and both Governor
Gillett and his secretary had approved
this bill
Three witnesses We're put on the
stand at the afternoon and evening
sessions, all being members of the
lcontinued on Page Two,