New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-16
Blackwell's Island Cruelty
Charges Prepared for
Inquisitors.
MANY CASES Barred
BY COMMITTEES WORK
Several Institutions Under Fire
Whitman to Seek for
All Facts.

committee Of grand jurors who have
heard stories Of crueities practlsed IN the
,rstitutlons on Blackwells Island viii
take tho matter I'D to-day with the Dis
trict Attorney TO ascertain whether
formal grand jury inquiry is warranted
nv the facts in their possession. Ezekiel
G. NJ. Rand. a financial expert VINO was
formerly confidential clerk for the la'e
Duseel SAGE is chairman or the commit
toe I, +, probable that the inquiry VIII
he instituted. with the possibility OF re-
suitant indictments.
Mr. Rand was foreman Of the grand
fury which was sworn in by Justice Sea
hurry I'm the Criminal Branch Of the Sn-
preme Court last MAY. one of the rune
tions of the grand jury is TO investigate
the condition and conduct Of prisons ana
other public buildings. Mr. Rand was on
n committee which visited BackWeii
Island. \ story told by one OF the PRISON
ers interested him deeply and ne resolved
10 do what he could TO oring about a
thorough investigation of conditions IN
the penton,iary, the workhorse ana the
hospital
The grand jury was continued anu
since last August the committee OF Whl'n
Mr.. Rand is chairman has been MAXINE
a ouiet but thorough Investigation. Inc
members Of the committee are OF tine
opinion that the evidence already In
their possession warrants an inquiry DIV
~ ftah u III
OF a grand Jury.
The committee Of the MAY grand jury
is I'm effect a part Of a larger. permanent
committee composed ~ members of gran"
iUries sworn In A year ago or more
Some members OF the committee ""r" on
the grand jury which made two present
ments regarding conditions I'm the Tombs
II is said that their fruitless efforts to
hr!ng about reforms AZ that time had
much to do with the formation Of the
permanent committee through which, II
is hoped more might be accomplished.
Eight instances OF fagrant abuse oi
prisoners AZ. said 10 have come 10 IN"
attention of Mr Rand's committee. Mi
Rand has personally discussed the IN
vestigation with Joseph Du Nlvier. As
sistant District Attorney Mr. pu Nivi"r
was asked yesterday II IN" 81! treatment
consisted Of bcatinss by guards
In some cases II is much worse than
that" said ~. Du V!vicr.
one OF the cases which the grand jurors
Investigated IL that of n prisoner who
died on the island. II was found that he
had been abused and neglected when he
needed medical treatment There IS rea-
son 90 believe that his !ll treatment may
have been instrumental In bringing about
his death. All OF the cases under iuyesti-
CATION originated within year.
After consultation with District At
torney Whitman II was decided that the
Prosecutor should take up the cas-" AT
once. District Attorney Whitman yes
tcrday assigned Arthur &. Train. Assist
ant District Attorney. TO take charge.
Mr. Train expects 20 have conference
to-day with Nj Rand or some member
OF the committee.
In addition TO the evidence Of abuse OF
prisoners I'm the possession Of the commit
tee Of tho May grand jury. II is said that
the permanent committee Of former grand
Jurors has "A mass of evidence relating 10
the conduct OF business affairs Of city in
situations. which probably Will be turned
over TO the District ATTORNEY.