The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-09-12
Judge Condemns State Industrial
 School For Girls

New Haven, Sept 10.-Judge Albert McC. Mathewson of the city court and William F. Fairbank, superintendent of the Connecticut Industrial School for Girls, at Middletown, were the principals in the hearing before Judge Williams of the Superior court this morning, In the hHbeas corpus pro- ceedingz involving Katie Famous, former inmate of that institution. The former claims he was within statute provision when he reopened the girl 8 case and placed her in the care of Probation Officer Louis Lyerzapf. Superintendent Fairbank claims Judge MRthewson had no right to order the release of the girl from his institution. Both are ready to take the case to the Supreme court should the decision of Judge Williams be adverse to their attitude
 There was Q bitterness evident througAout to-days nearing. On the stand MT. Fairbank testified that he had received letters from Judge Math- ewson begging the release of the girl. He said it wouldn't have made bit of difference to him if he had rece1v- ed hundred letters from the judge, he would not have released the girl. except under protest.
 On the other hand Judge Mathew son said: They had absolutely no right to keep that girl up there after we asked that she be released. She was committed there on request of her mother and not for having been guilty of any offense. But because sine was a big, strong girl. they wanted to keep her there to work She was so valuable to them that they did not want to release her. Here have the right to release prisoners from 8 jail Or prison. and yet they claim that have no right to order the release of a girl from such a petty institution as theirs"
 At to-day hearing Judge Frank e. Haines, prosecittor of Middlesex coun- ty. represented the Home for Girls. E. Hoyt, prosecutor of the local City court, for Probation Officer Leyerzapf, and Attorney Edwin Pickett for the Ramops girl
 Judge Haines offered certified copy of the proceedings of the City court Involving the girl. It included the original complaint, dated April 8, 1907 and issued by Judge B. C. Sinp- son, then city attorney. The com nnitment to the home was dated April 28 of the same year.
 \ Supt FaIrbank was the first witness called to the stand He said he had been head Of the Connecticut School tor Girls for 35 years. He testified that he had received. letters from Judge Mathewson asking for the re- lease of the girl and then another, dated May 19 of this year, informing him that tue Famous case would be re-opened and a hearing held on May 19. He informed Judge Haines of this fact but neither took any further ac- ton and the school was not represent ed at the hearing. Judge Mathewson ordered the girl released and Proba- ton Officer Leyerzapf went to the Middletown school and got her. Be fore leaving. however, Supt. Fair banks told him that he gave the girl up. only under protest.
 Judge Mathewson was the next and only witness at the hearinN. He was- called to the stand by Attorney Hoyt He admitted re-opening the case. Ask ed by Judge Haines on what grounds he had taken this action, the witness replied. by virtue of the public acts of 1907, chapter one.
 After a short recess the attorneys for both sides began their arguments to Judge Williams.