Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1912-11-20
HACA IN DEFENSE
OF COURSE TAKEN
At ST. ANTHONY
Chairman Of the Board Of
Trustees Makes a State
ment Concerning the In
dustrial School Probe.


Idaho Industrial Training school of St.
Anthony are entitled to q square deal
irrespective Of sensational press dis
patches. and that he would not be
forced by any amount Of clamor, based
upon misinformation to do an injustice
to those officers, o. o. Haga, chairman
ton, issued a statement today in which
he points out that those who know less
about the St. Anthony school may n IT
agree with the action Of the board. but
II they knew more about 1t they would.
Mr.. Haea. when seen. gave out the
following interview:
1.-THE press dispatches. purporting T.
give to the public the evidence that
was adduced at the investigation, has
done the institution gross injustice.
The fact is that the only thing that
was given to the press was the bits OF
evidence Of a sensational character.
The prosaic truth was not as a rule
given to the press. The stun that was
given out was 30 highly colored and -
grossly exaggerated that II could only
serve to mislead the public.
Would Not Do Injustice.
"As a board, we are confronted with
the facts as they are, and not as the
public was led to believe that they
are. The board did not exonerate any
body for Furnishing any one. We were
primarily concerned with the future
conduct OF the institution; and when
ever we can make changes for the bet
| ter we are ready to make them. but we
are not making changer for the sake OF
Irir hor "a Il {ufn In
! any officer or person employed at the
| institution. We are concerned only
! with what is best for the children CON-
| mitted there. The officers of the school
| however, are entitled to a square deal
| and personally will not be forced by
| any amount Of clamor, based upon mis-
| information. to do an injustice to the
officers of that or any other institu-
ton, even though they are in sense
| public officials: and think the ma
jority Of the board feel the same way.
What Real Issue Was.
| Those who know less about the in
stitution and its work may not agree
| with what we have done. II they knew
more about 1t have no doubt they
| would. The real question before the
board was whether the superintendent
should be dismissed. and the board
after having examined all the evil
dence and personally investigated the
institution ard its management. de-
cided that Mr. HUMPHREYS should '.e
retained. We took no action upon
subordinate officers, because they are
employed by the superintendent He
can discharge them and replace them
/ yx,1,a ho rot hot v
to take their places. The salaries paid
| low that it Is not an easy matter tc
get the kind of help we would like t.
-ge the kind Of help we would like t.
have. but those matters are determined
| by the size Of the appropriation.
Mrs. Workman With Majority.
1.-THE board met Monday afternoon a.
1 O'Clock and remained in session con-
tinuousy until 5 o'clock, or little
after, and ! left Immediately for the
! train. I have learned since that Mrs
| Workman voted with Mrs. Pugmire
Miss Shepherd and . myself for the
adoption of the report which I submit
| ted in writing, expressing my Views
| She, secretary, recorded her own vote
and I was Of the impression she did not
| vote, but in that I understand l was
mistaken: the minutes show she voted
| with the rest of us. Mr.. Hill voted no
.'In the care and training OF juvenile
offenders and delinquents the boart
will be guided largely by the opinions
of specialists in that work-by those
who have the requisite scientific an6
practical training to speak with au-
thority on a subject to which they have
/ devoted their lives. And to the end
that we may feel assured the money
| which we are expanding Is bringing the
| maximum returns. we shall from time
4 to time secure the opinion Of recog-
nized authorities. based upon personal
examination of the institution and its
work. The institution should BE-
judged by its results and so judged Il
| stands among the best in the country
| >-
We have repaired over 5000 wateh.
-. Why?
CON W. HEssE, Jswsisr.