New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-06-12
SAY STATE LOST $4,000
Osborn and Van Kennen Make
Preliminary Report on Prisons.
LEGAL ACTION ADVISED
Commissioners Want Report and
Evidence on Coal Purchases
Given to Attorney General.

Albany, June n.-NllIam tnufCH
born. counsel 70 Governor Dix and George
z Van Kennen. who were appointed pS
the Governor 10 investigate various sta'e
Departments. have made a preliminary re-
port Of their investigation into the man
asernent and affairs OF the State frison
Departnent. designed merely 10 include
some subjects which may aid in the reor-
canization Of the prison department alons
business lines"
The commissioners devote the greater
part Of their report TO alleged Irregular
ties in the purchase of coal for the various
prisons for the last eight years, as the To-
suit Of which they say the state has lost
about $4,000. The Dock ard Coal CompahS'
Of Plattsburg copartnership composer
of John F. OBrien and George c. Kelloss'
had furnished about 80 per cent OF all the
coal consumed in Sing Sing, Auburn ana
Clinton prisons. and the commissioners say
that for a period Of four years this COM
ranv. which contracted 10 furnish pea
coal for Clinton prison, was permitted 10
furnish buckWheat coal, cheaper sraue'
although 1t was billed and paid for as pea
coal. At Sing Sing prison the report states
that the Dock and Coal Company was per-
mitted 10 substitute crate coal for egg
In the contract. as a result Of which they
say the state suffered a loss.
The substitution in both instances the
commissioners say, was we'll known 10 the
wardens of the prisons, and should nave
been known TO the Superintendent OF
Prisons.
In view Of the irregularities disclosed IN
the purchase Of coal" SAYS the report, we
respectfully suggest that this report, with
the evidence relating thereto, be submitted
10 the Attorney General Of the state Tor
action thereon"
The commissioners find that a small loss
was sustained at Clinton prison by reason
Of purchases Of -four. The Dock and Coal
Company was a favored bidder, -four con-
tracts having been awarded # thirty out
Of thirty-eight times. On only two occa-
sions was this company the lowest bidder
The report declares that business meth
DDS in the administration Of the affairs Of
this prison are wanting and the prison
department seems 10 have disregerded
these conditions
The commissioners find that the law re-
curing monthly estimates for supplies has
been violated by the department. and state
that the Superintendent of Prisons has
paid little or no attention 10 the monthly
estimates Of the v-lrdens"
The claim Of the prison authorities that
the per capita cost Of maintenance Of pris-
oners is low compared with other institu-
lions OF the state and shows an economi-
cal administration OF prison affairs IS an
swered by the commissioners, who declare
they do not consider that a comparison of
the cost OF maintenance Of inmates Of diff
ferent institutions proves the want OF ex-
travaeence IN the management Of our
prisons" They point out that the inmates
OF state hospitals for instance, require bet
ter food than convicts. Besides this
say the commissioners, we fnd instances
where the prison department has omitted
items in the accounts which should be in
cluded in the per capita cost Of mainten-
ance"
The commissioners recommend that the
present board Of parole be abolished and
their work turned over 70 the State Proba-
ton Commission In this way" they say,
considerable money could be saved to the
state and the service he improved by unit
ing the work Of parole and probation into
one department Bills 10 this effect have
been introduced in the Legislature.