The Ely miner., 1911-07-14
WHITTIER PROBE ON
BOARD OF CONTROL TAKES UP
CHARGES AGAINST TRAINING
SCHOOL HEAD.
FOR WHIPPING UNRULY BOYS
First Witness, a Former Inmate, Says
He Was Whipped in Machine
Counsel Clash Over Scope
of Inquiry.

NAhAhhOotPOilo.- VI IOShhi-
calities took up most of the time at
the first session of the hearing before
the board of control of the charges pre-
ferred against Frank A. Whittier, sup
erintendent of the Red Wing training
school, by Ralph w. Wheelock, private
secretary to Governor Eberhart. The
room was filled with witnesses and in
terested spectators. Mrs. C. G. Higbee,
president of the State Federation of
Woman's clubs, Senator Edward Rus
tad were there.
P. M. Ringdal, chairman Of the
board of control, presided. On either
side Of him sat the other two members
of the board, Charles Vasaly and P. j..
Swenson. c. Louis Weeks, assistant
attorney general, was present to ad-
wise the board.
Mr.. Whittier appeared in person.
His attorney was Frank M. Wilson Of
Red Wing. E. P. Sanborn of st. Paul
represented Mr.. Wheelock, who also
was present.
Only one witness was examined dur
ing the session. IIe was Harry Cold
smith Of st. Paul, who again related
his story Of alleged abuses at the Red
Wing school
Scope of Inquiry Questioned.
Mr.. Sanborn asked whether this was
to be the investigation Governor Eber-
hart had requested or whether it SIM
ply was hearing of charges preferred
by Mr.. Wheelock. Chairman Ringdal
read the opinion of Assistant Attorney
General Weeks, which declared the
hearing of the charges would be separ-
ate; that the investigation requested
would be brought up subsequently.
Mr.. Sanborn rose to read the letter
written by Governor Eberhart in which
he asked for a complete investigation
of the charges relating to the Red
Wing institution. Before Mr.. Sanborn
could read the letter, Judge Wilson
objected.
'I most decidedly protest against
this" said Judge Wilson. 'If such a
thing were attempted in court would
ask that the counsel be cited for con-
tempt. The law states clearly what
procedure shall be followed. Am to
understand that the governor of the
state can come before this board and
dictate what to do when complaint
has been made and answer filed and
the issue clear?"
Judge Wilson asked that his objec-
ton be entered on the record. Mr..
Sanborn then read the governors let
ter. Mr.. Sanborn again asked an an
swer to his question. Mr.. Weeks final
ly decided the present hearing was in
part compliance with the governors
request. Chairman Ringdal ruled that
the hearing on the charges preferred
by Mr.. Wheelock would proceed. An
effort was made by Judge Wilson to
have all witnesses not testifying ex-
cluded from the room. The board ruled
that they need not he excluded.
Witness Says He Was Spanked.
Harry Goldsmith, the first witness,
is % years old. He has a confection-
cry store in St. Paul. He testified he
was sent to the training school in 1899
and remained there about six years.
He said, in part:
Il was often punished with a strap
about an inch wide and five feet long.
I was whipped the first night after
I arrived. I was later put on the
spanking machine and officers named
Scott, George and Mann took turns
beating me. I counted hundred blows
that were given me while I was
down so that I could not move.
was unable to count the blows given
after that My back was swollen af-
forwards and my skin thickened so I
felt as if I had board up and down
my back. had to lay on my stomach
when went to bed and could not sit
down for three days. l know of other
boys who got similar beatings; one
was Pat Larkin of st. Paul. 1 saw
lot of boys beat up so their bodies
were black and blue"
In cross-examination Goldsmith said
that he had been sent to the training
school as an incorrigible on complaint
of his mother. He admitted that he
had run away from the school four
or five times.