Los Angeles herald., 1908-06-30

Following sensational disclosures
concerning the conduct of some mem-
bers of the official staff of the institu-
ton the board of trustees OF the Whit
tier state school yesterday sent charges
to Governor James N. Gillett calling on
the state board of charities and correc-
tions to make formal inquiry into the
management Of the big industrial
school.
This step is the sequel to the dis
charge of four members of the faculty.
and the disclosures are such that pros
ecution of two men, Bandmaster l..
Eugene Willes and A. L. McLouth,
head farmer, Is threatened. Both the
bandmaster and farmer were dropped
from the pay roll and their wives also
were discharged.
In Whittier and in political circles in
Los Angeles 1t is common talk that
there has been a serious split In the
board of trustees, President 7. E..
Newlin of Los Angeles and James
Clarke of Pasadena favoring a con-
servative policy and c. G. Desmond
uring radical action for a shakeup, be-
ginning with superintendent ]. p.
Greeley.
After Greeley's Scalp
1t is an open secret that Trustee
Desmond has tried to have Greeley
dropped for months, that political in
f1uences prevented it and that Trustee
Desmond has repeatedly denounced the
superintendent to his face as incompe-
tent, untruthful and lacking in dis
cipline.
Matters had reached such stage
that If the board had not taken cog
nizance of the scandalous situation
Trustees Desmond would have in
itiated prosecutions himself against the
guilty parties.
Gossip has leaked out from the
states big 160-acre reservation, where
hundreds of growing boys and girls
and one of the finest dairy herds In the
United States are lodged, showing that
there was internal dissension for
months. Apparently the recent chap
ters of events have taken this chronol-
ogical order.
Twenty-eight months ago DIR. Walter
Lindley urged Mr.. Desmond to go on
the board and take the presidency. He
declined. Some weeks later Mr. Des-
mond consented, though refusing TO
take the presidency.
Rumors gained circulation this year
that Mrs. Grace O. Willes, wife OF
bandmaster, had a stormy interview
with trustees because she entertalneu
cadets in her room. in the administra-
ton building. Result: Mrs. Willes
finally was discharged.
Next Bandmaster willes was sus-
pended for three days by the supertn-
tendent, though Trustees Desmond de-
manded his discharge and bandfsh-
mentj from the reservation Letters at
tributed to Wiues sent to girl WARD
of the state on parole are In the hands
Of the trustees on which prosecution
Is threatened because of their Inn
proper character Later this ward was
taken from questionable house ana
is now back in the school.
Head Farmer McLouth was accused
dark hue Climax comes when he Is
charged with kicking and jumping ON
a boy, Rodriguez, on whom DR.. Claire
w Murphy had three week ago ope-
rated. the brutality loosening the
stitches in a hernia wound. Other
charges of brutality against McLouth
are made by cadets.
Trustees discharged McLouth and
his wife, Mrs. Jennie McLouth, assist
ant housekeeper.
Trustees Unload Burden
Yesterday the trustees decided to put
the responsibility OF Strengthening out
the shocking condition on the state
authorities.
In the filing of the charges Trustee
Desmond brings to a climax three
works in iniquity on his part, sitting
the charges which seemed to him as
most beyond belief. Only a state in
yestigation will bring out all the horrify-
ing details of affairs at the institution.
Most of the sensational rumors had
their origin in the statement of paroled
students-boys and girls Of the grown
up yariety-who whispered this and
that to their employers or foster par
ents. Thus the dread tidings got to
the ears OF Trustee Desmond, who from
the outset has taken radical and un-
compromising stand for ousting all the
incompetents at the institution.
Prosecutions Next
Judging by what Trustee Desmond
said last night more summary punish
ment than mere dismissal Is in store
for some of the marked individuals.
Aside from the gross brutality and
immortality alleged to have existed
within the walls. Trustee Desmond
makes the sweeping charge that many
of the cadets are anaemic and under
fed. Although butter from the world
renowned Holstein- -Friesian herd at the
school farm is sold at highest prices,
the cadets sometimes do not get a bit
of butter for weeks, seldom any sugar
fnNxfluuad Ra~a UV.x~.N