The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-07-10
GOVERNOR ORDERS
!. SEARCHING PROBE
APPOINTS COMMITTEE TO In
vEsTIGArE CONDITIONS AT
BON AIR HONG.
DR.. MCDANIEL WILLING
INVESTIGATION PROMPTED b
STORY OF INTOLERABLE CONDI-
TONS TOLD BY GIRL WHO
ESCAPED FROM INSTITUTION.

Inspired by the story Of an inmate
OF the Virginia Home and Industrial
School for Girls at Bon Air. who re-
Gently escaped from that institution
and when arrested told Of alleged in
tolerable conditions existent there,
Governor Mann has ordered thor
ough investigation Of the institution,
and has appointed a special commit
tee to conduct the probe.
The investigating body will be COM
posed Of DR.. Samuel C. Hatcher. chair
man Of the Board Of Charities and
Corrections; DR.. Peter Winston, of
Farmville; DR.. Douglas 8. Freeman,
Of Richmond. and l. P. Stearnes. OF
Newport News. The committee will
probably be called to meet in Rich
mond next week and after hearing
testimony will report its findings to
the governor.
Other Complaints Too.
Some complaints of the conditions
at the institution reached the execu-
tives ears before the recent escape
of the Miller girl. who reportd that
the inmates were forced to work in
the field under the direction of a
negro overseer. Her story was denied
at the time by a director of the in
stitution, but the governor believes 1t
best for all concerned to remove the
cloud that seems to hang over the in
stitution.
Governor Mann's letter to DR..
Hatcher follows:
REV s. c. Hatcher. D. D.
Chairman, State Board OF Chari-
Ashland. Va
MY Dear Sir:
Various reports of distressing con-
ditions at the Virginia Home and In
dustries School for Girls have como
to my attention, which reports, II
true, would seem to threaten the well
fare Of this institution and Its future
usefulness to the State. Knowing that
work of this character Is most I'M
portant and that even runners of mis-
management, however ungrounded.
may injure the cause which this
school represents, I hereby direct an
investigation OF the said institution
under authority of section is Of an
act entitled An act to establish a
State board of charities and correc-
tons" (Acts of 1908. chapter 276.)
And further direct that this investi-
CATION be made complete and COM
prehensive. covering the administra-
ton Of the said institution in all its
aspects You will please report your
findings to me.
very truly youiSt
WILLIAM HODGES MANN.
Governor Of Virginia"
DIR. Mcdaniel Willing.
Following publication of the letter
yesterday. Rev. DR.. George w. Nc
Daniel, president of the board of
trustees Of the institution. issued the
following signed statement:
The board of the Virginia Home
and Industrial School for Girls well
comes the fullest investigation.
Previous to the order of the COVER
nor, the board had taken the initiative
and. through DIR. Maclachlan, had
Charities and Corrections for a COM
mittee TO visit the home Thursday,
July 10th. and examine into the ad
ministration and discipline of the in
stitution. This would have been done
without the governors order. and
now the board will cheerfully CO.
operate with the committee as direct
ed by the governor. We shall appre-
ciate suggestions tending to improve
| the home. 49,
| The home is under the direct
charge Of Mrs. M. NJ. Light. and we
have the fullest confidence in her
ability and integrity Those familiar
with the task of controlling incor-
rigible girls appreciate the Difficult
ties involved In such a work. 1t Is
| the hardest task Of which the mem
bers of the board have any knowl-
edge. To discipline thirty-f1ve girls
| in one institution, no one of whom
was under control when she entered
the home. requires patience. tact and
strength. 1t may be that others could
have succeeded better than the pres
ent board. Our labor has been one
Of love and any member Of the board
would be glad to surrender his posi-
ton in favor of any other who can
| do the work better. This Is not the
| time to make defense of the home
If there Is anything hidden, let 1t be
revealed; II there Is any mismanage'
ment the board wants to know It.
While sympathy Is more needed than
criticism, and support than suspicion
it Is true that the highest success OF
the home depends upon the conf
dence which the people at large have
in the management. The board will
afford the investigating committee
every facility in it's power to ferret
| out any and everything connected
with the establishment and manage
ment Of this institution.
| GEORGE w. MDAN1EL.
| presidNnt Of the Board OF the Vtr,