The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1909-06-24
OPEN LETTER ON INDUSTRIAL
SCHOOL INVESTIGATION

To the People Of Utah:-The valiant
knights of the political arena. who
dispense hot air and cigars during
campaigns, are notably and conspicu-
ously absent from the Thomas inves-
tigation. 1t is pity, for the occasion
offers every opportunity for demon
stration that they are not mere job
hunters.
The Industrial school, being a state
institution, 1t would seem that the
merchants, real estate men and others
| who desire TO locate the capitol In
| Ogden would jump at the opportunity
to show that the institution has been
properly conducted. If It has not
they could show why not, thus assur-
Ina the people of the state that Ogden
has other than geographical advan-
tages as site for the capitol build
| Ing. w c. T. u. activities in the Inst
campaign convey the impression that
reform is possible through the
election of good" men to Of
fee. Now is an opportunity
unsurpassed at any election to decide
on the fitness or unfitness of the in
cumbent OF an office which demands
of all that constitutes a man
While opportunity Is knocking at so
many doors, let us examine a few
points in the days testimony Mr.
Kneass, assistant superintendent. tes.
tlfied that the place was all run down
at the time Mr.. Thomas assumed
charge. The energies of all were ex
pended on external Improvement
certain extent, and then a standstill
necessarily So"
1t seems that there was so much
hard bone labor to be done around the
o,uce and time so occunta1 :hHt there
was no time left to practice methods
Of instruction and kindness calculated
to do away with corporal punishment.
However limited. time was found for
officers and inmates to do private work
on the outside
The trend Of the investigation may
be gathered from the exhaustive ques-
tloninG Of H. Joseph, chairman of the
committee, and member of the school
board. tending to show that construc-
tion work of all kinds had improved
the school
When mother used to hold court"
q premature denial of guilt was Sc
verely criticised. The board has not
been accused. but all along Mr.. Joseph
has taken the defensiva whenever the
board has been mentioned, At times
it has seemed that witnesses were on
trial for affairs over which they had
no control. DR.. Conroy, after testify
ing that The cells were unfit for the
confinement Of any human being, was
led by Mr. Joseph to say in effect.
In short, the board had these build. |
lngs placed at their disposal, and did |
The best they could with them" Never
thelcss, Mr.. Joseph expressed every |
symptom of contempt for Mrs. Jack |
son, who so added to her labors In her |
conscientious attempt 10 do the best |
She could with the wormy currantS /
placed at her disposal.
1t is a poor rule that won't work |
both ways. Mr.. Berger lost" a boy
and got f'ed, For a like offense Mr..
Holmes was assessed ten dollars. Mt
Thomas lost" a boy in Salt Lake
City, hut is still very tenacious to his
position
Society places what it is pleased to
Gail hardened criminals" in the penl.
tentiary Snoply aud solely because it
is afraid OF them. 1t Is different with
regard TO the inmates OF the Indus
trial school.
By its designation Of these children
as delinquent" the state recognizes
that they are deficient or are back
ward in certain directions The In
dustrial school is an attempt on the
part Of the state to meet and supply
these deficiencies. 1t was not created
for the entertainment Of the governor
the board nor the superintendent
family.
1t is shocking to know that It is an
open question" with the investigat
ing committee as to whether or not
questions shall be permitted to be
asked of girls of whom the state Is
guardian that would provoke blood
shed If propounded to their own flesh
and blood
If 1t is to be assumed that the in
mates of the school are past be-
yond redemption by decent treatment,
the Industrial school Is a farce, a de
lusion and a snare
The writer does not believe in patch
work or reform. What is needed Is
something that will reach the cause
Of delinquency, say a readjustment of
Industry, but that is another ques-
ton
Mr.. Thomas, the members OF the
Of investigation and the
school board are personally unknown
o me; / have neither grudge to set
lie nor an axe TO grind,
If | seem to be taking more than
ny share In this matter it is because
was boy myself. I want to go on
-ecord as one who gave these boys
md girls the benefit Of the doubt. and
want to express my contempt for
nen of leisure who pose as pillars of
society. but do not show up when there
S a matter of such Importance taking
Dlace.
(Signed) EUGENE A. BATTELL.