Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-12-18
REMOVAL OF WILLIAM r. GEORGE
FROM REPUBLIC IS REC.
oMMENpED.
FIFTY WITNESSES CLAIM
MORAL CONDUCT Is BAD
Names Of Three Girls. Former Msm-
hers Of FrssviIIe Colony, Linked
With That Of Founder-George Jun
for Republic Parent Of National As
ISOLATION Of Junior Republics.


William r. George from active par
ticipation In the affairs Of the George
Junior Republic at FreeviBle. N. Y,
founded by him ten years ago. is rec
commended by the state board OF char
tiles. Georges moral conduct Is Sc
verely condemned.
An investigation begun more than
six months ago resulted In the recon-
mendation. More than fifty witnesses
in six states were examined in re-
gard to charges Of loose living made
against George by three young women,
former members OF the republic. The
Oldest of these charges dated back to
1904. The testimony was unprintable
and no verdict as to whether the
charges were proved was rendered by
the committee.
Recommend Removal Of Girls.
Notwithstanding the board strongly
condemned the conduct Of George IN
dealing with members Of the republic
and adopting resolutions that no more
girls be received at the republic, and
that those now there be speedily re-
moved to other institutions. A dozen
other recommendations concerning the
administration Of the republics affairs
also were made.
The junior republic was founded by
William r. George as q harbor OF
refuge for bad boys. Its pioneer menu
bers wero toughS Of the old Bowery.
the youths who said they never had
chance"
Atmosphere Of Home Life.
These young men. under Georges
direction, governed themselves under
the republic which George founded.
George was called Daddy George by
his protegss and hie chief aim. he said
was to bring back IN Atmosphers q
homo to the members Of the. republic
who hAdt strayed.
From the model at Freevigle other
George Junior Republics were fash
ioned thruont the country
George II 81 years old. He has been
in poor health Tor more than q year.
The report Of the committee to the
board, which was adopted by the
board. utllizes to q large extent the
testimony Of dfty witnesses examined.
Most of its recommendations concern
the administration Of the republic in
the future. OF Georges conduct the
report says in part:
Exercises Hypnotic Influence.
I'm view Of certain concessions and
tho statement regarding his (George's)
exercise Of hypnotic influence on the
citizens Of the republic and his admis-
sions Of lapses Of memory as testified
before the joint committee Of the Ma
tional Association Of Junior Republic,
his presence in the institution is clear
ly undesirable"
It was brought out In the testimony
that George had practiced hypnotism
that he could hypnotic himself by
standing before a mirror. It was also
testified that George frequently
hypnotized members Of the republic.
Until 1902 George was superinten
dent OF the republic. Then an execu-
tive officer was employed and gave all
his time to the business and manage
ment and was designated as superin-
tendent.
Republic Operates at Loss.
George, however. remained at the
head of the institution, until 1905
when he officially withdrew from the
management and accepted an office in
the National Association Of Junior Re
pubEcs. However. he continued to re-
side In a house adjoining the grounds
of the republic and until recently had
more or less influence in the manage
ment. The present population Of The
republic is 123 and of this number
forty-seven are girls. During recent
years the property has greatly In
creased in value. now consisting of 400
acres and twenty Buildings.
Among other criticisms the commit
tee pointed out that the republic was
considerably In debt, having during the
wear exceeded It's receints hu 500 000