The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-11-20
BANKERSARE GOOD
Colony at Federal Prison Cut
Nearly Fifty Per Cent.
Parole Law Brings Freedom Be-
fore Sentence Is Served.
ONE IN DARK CELL
Others Have Freedom of Cell
Houses and Visit.
Do Prisons Clerical Work and
Get Better Food.

Leavenworth, Kan, Nov. 20.-The
bankers colony at the United States
penitentiary here has lost almost one
half of its population through the oper-
alton of the parole law, which became
effective last June. The departures
include the most widely known con
Nlcted v1olatOrs of the federal banking
laws. When the parole law became
effective, the bankers colony num-
bered 40 men and it now includes but
= former financiers.
The present population includes two
presidents, one vice president, eight
cashiers, two assistant cashiers, five
teuers, two bookkeepers and three
clerks, who are serving sentences
varying from Is years. in the case OF
William w. Montgomery, former CASH
Ter OF the First National bank of Pitts
burg, to one year and day, the SEN
tence given to Herman Gems, former
" a clerk in a national bank Of Hous-
ton, Tex
More Expect Release.
Several of the bankers remaining
have appeared before the parole board
and are expecting early release, and
pear at the next meeting of the board
in January It is understood favor
able action of the board on several
applications are awaiting approval of
Attorney General Wickersham.
At the first meeting of the parole
board at the prison in Novembe 1910,
II acted favorably upon the applica-
lions OF several bankers, among other
prisoners, and at each session other
bankers have been recommended BY
the board for release. but not all of
these recommendation have received
the approval OF the attorney general.
Only Five New Ones in Year.
During the present year but five
men connected with national banks
have been received at the penitentiary.
which is the smallest mum Der received
I
there is much speculation as to the
eventual disappearance of the famous
prison colony.
Whether national bankers are be-
coming honest, or whether they have
become more expert in covering up
their populations, the prison officials
are not prepared TO say. They believe,
however, that insistent prosecution, re-
gardless Of influence, has had salu-
rary effect. 1t also is thought that I
the advice of Comptroller of the Cur /
rency Murray advising the directors
to direct under penalty OF having I
their banks examined more frequently, I
has brought about better discipline !
among bank employees and lessened /
Of peculation-
serves Full Sentence.
OF the % bankers in prison only |
one is due to leave this year by expira- !
ton Of sentence. He is Herman Gems
of Houston. Tex, who will be released /
December 26, when his term expires, |
by good time allowance. Two are |
due TO leave in 1912, one in January |
and one in March, while the last Of /
the present list, unless his term is |
shortened by parole or Communication 1
Of sentence, will leave December p, |
1913
As rule, the banker convicts are /
among the best behaved in the prison,
only one having violated a rule OF sur /
5cient importance to merit solitary con-
fnement This man is said to be a dis
rurbfng elment He has applied for
parole at each meeting Of the board,
but in each instance his application
has been rejected and he will remain
in prison until his sentence is COM
pleted-
They Are His Clerks.
Nearly all of the As convict clerical
and stenographic positions at the
prison are held by former bankers.
Some are holding responsible positions,
such as in civil life would command a
salary Of rom $3.50 to 5000 a month
with one exception all are TRUSTEES
and. as such. are accorded more privi-
eyes than the less better behaved men.
Now that the bankers are going, for
ner postal employees are getting the
clerical jobs.
The Bankers Colony" occupies
rooms over the Office of the deputy
warden, which are used by them as a
iormitory, each banker having a
roommate" The rooms are better
furnished than ordinary cells, the win
lows having white curtains and each
nan can, under limitations, furnish the
DOM to give il more homelike ap-