The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-12-28

The Davis Boot and Shoe Company. DR..
darlington said II was amply shown
an the fact that FOR the year ending
September 80. 1903. there were 1886
~hippings, of which moro than half
We're for alleged short task or pad
work In the shoe shops. He argued
that the shoe company secures these
puhishments because men thereby lose
their paroles, and IL good workmen, are
kept IN the shoe factory.
Two Hours on the Cross.
Tho last Instance of brutality Of
which DR.. Darlington had record was
IN June Fl. 1911. when Garland Ran,
iiin was for two hours on the cross and
then hung up by Penn. 1t seemed that
q man named Wright was on the cross
Tor eleven hours on April IA. 1910. I'm
der orders OF Major Wood, no man cun
now be Kept on the cross. which means
:, chained to the floor by. arms and legs
for longer than two hours Conditions,
The witness admitted, have vastly I'M
proved, but he said there are about the
same guards, the same officers and the
same old shoe company as ton years
uso. He quoted Major Helms, d former
superintendent. as saying that anything
was good enough for u convict.
BY repeated uuesuonings, MIR. Byrd
succeeded III limiting the inquiry to
events during the administration of Ma
tor Wood. Asked for suggestions as
TO improvements. DIR. Cnrrington sad he
would take three mon or THE board of
directors and discharge Penn the first
thing In the morning. He did not
think the health and food conditions
OF the prisoners could be improved upon
in any way.
Well" said Mr.. Byrd. IF there is no
trouble. why this row? II there is
trouble. what is it?"
Dr.. Darlington said there was no
complaint OF tho Wood regime. which
covers the last two years. But he re-
marked that Penn is still in the prison,
with Manager Hutchinson, of the shoe
company.
There was reference to a boy named
Squirrel" Charlie Davidson being
kept on the cross SIX days.
Asked 10 BE MSdc Parts.
The Thacher Shoe Company appeared
by its attorneys, H. l.. Scott and IL c.
Buchanan. with Manager Hutchinson.
and asked 10 be made a party for the
defense or its own name. and to ex-
anime witnesses, which was granted.
Replying TO questions from Mr.. Scott |
Dr. Darlington said that the influences
Of tho company in 1907 were in good
working order and the attorney asked
him 10 reconcile this with his report
Of that year. with which he said the
policy OF the prison was to give
square deal TO the convict he said st
had been difficult to get good work
men out on parole. However, this was |
in other days.
The other witnesses summoned were
then brought 'n. The first was John C.
Easley, formerly president Of the |
board. and a member for six years. |
until carly IN 1910. He said that he
knew nothing OF the influences OF the |
shoe company. and never saw or
heard of anything OF the kind. lie had
Investigated reports to that effect, |
and had been satisfied there was moth
ing in them. He knew of no crueltles.
and was confident that all punishments
had been necessary to maintain dts
ciplinc.
Hnd No Evidence.
Mrs. L r. Mason knew of no hap
penings along the line referred TO
during the past ten years. although
she knew OF case which looked sus-
picious about q decade ago.
Nothing wrong was known by j.
Aston Cabell. member of the state
Board OF Charities and Corrections, or
he would have reported ii long ago. Ho
had examined the prison n few months
ago and found conditions entirely
satisfactory.
Clyde w. Saunders knew nothing OF
disioynlty or Of ''malign Influences"
These were the witnesses present when
DR.. Darlington was removed the sec
ond time, and were summoned last
night by the board.
Returning TO the stand, DR.. Caring
ton was asked by MIR. Scherer why SO
many punishments were necessary. to
keep men In the prison. presumng
they were instigated by the shoe COM
rany He did not see why It was nee
essary to keep Oh Furnishing when one
was enough 10 last two years Dr.
Darlington said he supposed they
wanted TO get as many as possible
In this position:
Major Wood was the next witness
He knew OF no disloyalty. and would
+ discharge any man he suspected OF It.
He knew of no way by which the
shoe company could prevent the re-
lease OF a convict. He did not regard
Penn brutal.
Coming to the matter of PENIS re-
i1tions with himself, Major Wood con-
s'dered his replies carefully. He had
he said. heard runors that the Keeper
was not friendly. and he had given
Penn more opportunities to show his
hand than.he would have allowed any
one else. But he had never been able
TO discover single sign which would
indicate such an attitude. He was now
sattshed that Penn wag his loyal friend
and supporter. He agreed that he Ind
been told by Mr. Scherer that II he
doubted Penn he could discharge him
and the board would stand behind him.
lie would, he asserted. trust Penn as
implicitly s any mas in the prison
AS TO paroles. he said the board does
not Know what men are coming be-
aofe IT until 1t meets. Replying 10 n
question from Samuel Cohen, OF tho
board Major Wood said no favoritism
Was shown the shoe company
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