New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-13
BENT ON TOMBS REFORM
Jury's Ardor Indicates Con-
StruCtive. Presentment.
MRS. BECKER ON STAND
Testifies in Attempted Extortion
-Case-Hyde Himself
Files Appeal.

| A committee of the John Doe grand
jury arrived at the Tombs before 8 o'clock
yesterday morning to supplement the In
vestigation of the prison made by the
whole jury week ago to-day. The In
terest which the Jurors are taking in their
| inquiry into city prisons dispelled abso-
| lutely the rumor that they were to aban-
don this phase Of their work and strength
ened the assn ption that they would not
only hand up an incisive presentment on
the subject but also one which would be
constructive as well as critical in It,
recommendations.
This presentment is now expected the
first Of next week. In the mean time the
grand jury will continue to devote a por-
ton of each day 1t sits TO consideration
OF prison conditions To-day it is posi-
| BILE that Joseph G.. Robin, the convicted
| banker, whose testimony led to the con-
viction OF Charles II. Hyde, will appear
before il as a witness in his capacity as
q Tombs prisoner. Robin has spent more
! than twenty-three months in the Tombs,
and ls therefore considered well qualified
to speak OF some aspects Of It's manage
ment.
After converting yesterday tho grand
jury devoted the greater part of its time
10 disposing Of cases originating in The
Bronx. One of these invol-ed the test-
mony OF Mrs. Charles Becker. wife Of the
convicted police official. who had been
subpGnaed to appear before the regular
December grand jury and tell II about an
alleged attempt at extortion by young
man named Mccormick, alias James
Smith. Mrs. Becker had said the young
man appeared at her home. No. 1929 Olin-
Vile avenue The Bronx. while her hus-
band was I'm the Tombs and demanded
$3.50.
The case was transferred 10 the John
Doe grand Jury. and Mrs. Becker was
called as the first witness. She testified
she had received several letters from Nc
Cormick or Smith. in August demanding
money and promising in return for II that
friends Of his would compel Jack" Rose
20 give testimony favorable TO Becker. He
appeared at her home on August 30. she
said. renewing his promises. and handing
her letter which threatened her with
harm II she did not give him $3.50. Nc
Cormck, or Smith, is now out on ball to
answer to the grand jury.
on coming out Of the grand Jury room
Mrs Becker said she was confident OF
her husbands ultimate release, adding
that Webers confession" had come as no
surprise TO her
John J. Fallon. senior warden OF the
Tomhs. had something to say yesterday
about the "Cummins shack" where
Charles VI. Hyde was lodged while n
Tombs prisoner. The apartment de luxe
the warden said in his suit against the
city for 1886 spent on lodgings outside
the prison, was unit 10 live In. having
been condeuned by the Board OF Health
as unsanitary FOR permanent occupancy.
The warden's suit opened IN Part Is OF
the Supreme Court.
Richard II. Mitchell, Assistant Corpora .
ton Counsel, told the court II was great
privilege TO permit the warden to have
quarters outside the jail but that the
house in the Tombs was a rather health
fuI place. with sunshine in every room.
lie showed pictures to prove his conten-
ton. The jury brought in a verdict in
favor OF the city, and II IS up TO Warden
Fallon 10 move into the Tombs or con-
tlnue TO occupy other quarters at his own
expense.
HYDE himself filed with the County
Clerk yesterday morning his notice OF
appeal from the conviction OF bribery OBJ
tanned against him before Justice Con
and a fury in the Criminal Branch Of the
Supreme Court The notice OF appeal was
signed. Charles II. Hyde, attorney In
person" Accompanying the notice was
the certificate OF reasonable doubt granted
the former CITY Chamberlain on Wednes-
DAY By Justice Con Immediately after
the Justice had sentenced Hyde 10 from
two to three and half years in state
prison.