New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-08-23
rRITICISES OFFICIALS
,,oJrSE OF REFUGE REPORT
n,ipIine Reforms Urged by Board
of Charities Committee.

- q, the House OF Refuge on Randall
nd narticularly the conditions in the fourth,
lhn,,,,narv division, were severely crltieised by
eo-',,lttee on reformatories OF the State Board
ae ,a~Ii,es in the annual report OF that body.
AZ public yesterday.
bAis -.,,rrication from Governor Hughes made
,Jn, investigation OF the methods Of the
-,,Uorv officials of the House. in which. after
ts'A4'., testimony OF numerous inmates and OF
HA~e ornloves they took a detailed reply from
Nii.@ az managers. of whom their report says:
" y Itbe managers fail 10 give the House of
ln~ ,bat thorough personal supervision OF the
srsils OF manaee'lieii ~ '
- AZ efficiency"
g. - ~ cruelty in the disciplinary methods of
,.,,,fon made in an anonymous letter
rs - Hughes purporting 10 come from IAN in
- the House OF Refuge" were the basis Of
- eoyernor's request for an investigation The
u.,t,ee composed OF stephen Smith. chairman;
Snr 2 BALDWIN 5r- and Dennis Mccarthy. Wis
1s't - house in October OF last year. and after
ls. -, ana investigation reported that the
. = ~ cruelty In the discipline OF inmates was
s,ned IN certain particulars
ss'.s~.Ilv The charge of cruelty is sustained In
80, nv the following paragraphs from the
- Of the COMMITTEES;
= -.,r,riug the inmates IN the disciplinary d.
3 reeus,tsTa for consecutive hours, varying from
son % si or more with back the cell door,
w - ofher relief change imam Tor meas anu
~ ,.nq M exercise at intervals II is shown that
lsstsassss have been 50 continuously confined Tor
ssnty-t%93D g'y ne inmate who has resisted dis
- ~ stand with his back 10 the grated door,
aAe rs arms behind him. thrust his hands
fI1lgn ,,es spplied TO the wrists outside Of the
- l scor meantime being deprived OF even the
.-,rr-nn exercises. II Is shown that inmates
So hem SO continuously handcufred for twelve
sssnryin the inmate under discipline OF oppor-
-ries Of exercise by walking or working IN the
81 air
r..bsr the committee asserts that IL was shown
:, she Officers OF the institution held punitive
,auu6e toward inmates, which they exhibited by
- actions as striking them with their fists and
.Srplpg them in the face, with the result. in one
80 as alleged. that The inmates teeth were
-osed out and his lip was cut.
-he reply Of the board Of managers. made through
a presdent J. Hampden Robb. stated that al
emgh the managers could not deny that the test-
INV shows acts Of employees toward inmates that
ala not be defended. il cannot be urged that any
vsous acts Of this character known 10 the man.
,rgrent have been condoned."
ne committees report charges that the board
snanagers has been negligent in its supervisory
,-sas and cites as testimony this point the
.,sra books Of the boards meetings, showing that
,,hough seven OF the tweRty-one members eonsu-
r-sS a quorum they had held only five monthly
-,sangs for the transaction OF business in the
rvTious year because Of the non-appearance OF
r5rum al seven stated meetings. In answer 70
rs charge the reply points oUt that similar boards
r. Institutions OF the same class consist OF from
ss 10 twelve members only. and that the records
ne Institution will show large proportion OF
-ayiiual visits by members OF the board.
laok OF adequate facilities and equipment is the
nEE given by the board 10 the committees
arse that the policy and work OF the institution
w not in accordance with the present policy OF
4 safe toward juvenile delinquents illustrated
III organization and mana cement OF the State
a,d.ullural and Industrial School at Industry,
VI
Hampden Robh, president OF the board OF
s-,sefs, who signed the reply TO the committees
hrss Is reported 10 be out OF the city a. pres
e. and at Randalls Island il was said that
slpsaniendent Joseph T. Byers Was taking his
Eailn.