The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1909-06-24

found to be unfit for food and were
destroyed. instead of being sent back
to the school; yet tho bill. which the
witness says was about Sl.50, was paid
TO the trustee s grocery nevertheless.
Eggs purchased from the Evans grocery
were often found 10 be bad also, dc.
clared the witness. The wholesale pur-
chase from Scowcroft Sons company
were always of good grade, according
to the witness.
When Mr.. Kncass. on the cross-ex-
animation, was asked if he didn t
with the lash, who were guilty Of an
unnamable crime on the camping trip
last summer he declared that he did, but
said he wanted il distinctly understood
that he was no adherent Of corporal
punishment. Asked if the punishment
given was excessive. the witness refused
TO answer, declaring that he had taken
the witness stand in the first instance
under protest. He believed that I'M
der the present facilities it may be
necessary at times 10 administer cor
poral punishment; yet, If conditions
could he made more perfect, tho traits
of each boy could be learned and cor
poral punishment may not be neccs
sary.
Under the questioning of Chairman
Harry Joseph, Mr.. kneass enumerated
which have been made at the institu-
tion since Thomas was made ysuperin-
tendcnt. Attorney Agee made IL clear
from the witness, however, that these
improvements could not have been
made but for the appropriations by the
legislature. With all tine improvements,
however, the assistant superintendent
declared that certain internal condi-
tions had not improved because the en-
hoN-
uuired on external work, to the neglect
Of the proper reformation of the in
mates.
The witness corroborated the state
ment Of Mrs. D. It. Tracy, the former
matron, regarding the manner in which
Rosetta Coyle, a girl inmate, had been
transported to the hospital, five miles
away, in spring wagon, after which
she was operated upon for appendicitis,
and died. The method Of transporta-
tion was used under orders from the
superintendent, according to the wit
ness
The assistant superintendent de
clared that the morale Of the school
had improved during the last four
years. Although nc refused 10 tell
whether or not he favored corporal
the witness showed by his
manner that he disapproved of this
method of correction. He was handed
a list of questions purporting to have
been frequently asked of girl inmates
by Superintendent Thomas. Captain
Kneass said that he didn u think it was
fair for the committee to ask him if
these were proper questions to put to
the girls, When pressed for an answer
as to their proprlety, he said it was An
open question, upon which some people
think differently.
Captain Kneass Admitted Questions.
He admitted, however. that ques-
tions similar TO those submitted, were
on several occasions asked the girls
by Thomas in his presence. He emu
the degrees of punishment now
in vogue at the school for refractory
as follows; Dement'S, stand
ing on the line while other boys are
playing, bread and water diet, curtail-
ment Of privileges, such MS visiting the
city and attending shows, imprison-
paddle, and beatings with a strap The
- Oregon boot, " with other severer
modes of punishment, had been abol
ished at the school for some time, he |
said.
Farley Griffin, plasterer at the re-
formatory for fifteen years. testified |
that he had worked on Thomas s resi-
1ence in the fall of 1907, for one day, |
By orders OF the trustees, he said ev-
cry officer was entitled to one days
cave of absence from duty in each |
month. and he devoted this time
20 work on the residence of the super.
ntendent. Thomas, he said, paid him
out Of his own pocket for the work.
Thomas Meyer admitted that he had
worked on the residence Of the super.
ntendent for five days, but that the
cave of absence was granted him by
he trustees. For the work performed
he superintendent paid him SO or S12,
le said,