The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1913-12-19
REFORMER GEORGE
PROVES IMMORAL
New York Board of Charities
Recommends His Removal
From Junior Republics.
EVIDENCE CONCLUSIVE
Shocking Condition Shown to
Have Existed in the Re-
form Colony.
EVIDENCE CONCLUSIVE

NEW YORK, Dec. 1S-Removal Of
William R. George from active partici-
patton in the affairs of the George
Junior republic at Freeville, n. z,
founded by him more than ten years
ago, is recommended by the state board
of CHARITIES in report adopted by the
board yesterday afternoon and made
public tpday. Georges moral conduct
is severely condemned.
An investigation begun more than
six months ago resulted in the recon-
mendation. More than fifty witnesses
in six states were examined with regard
to charges of loose nvlng made against
George by three young women, former
members of the republic. The oldest
of these charges dated back to 1904,
and the most recent was several years
old. The testimony was unprIntable
and no verdict as TO whether the
charges were proved was rendered by
the committee Under whose direction
the investigation was made.
Notwithstanding, the board strongly
condemned the conduct of George in
dealing with members Of the republic
and adopted resolu tions recommending
that no more girls be received at the
republic and that those now there be
speedily removed to other institutions.
Purpose of Republic.
The George junior republic was
founded by William R. George as
harbor of refuge for bad boys. Its
pioneer members were the toughs Of
tho Bowery, the youths who said they
Wnever had chance These young
men, under Georges direction, governed
themselves in the republic which, he
founded, George was, a benevolen.
George by his proteges, and his chief
aim. he has often said, was to bring
back to an atmosphere Of home life
the wayward boys-and girls, after
wards admitted-who had strayed.
From the model at Freeville other
George Junior republics were fashioned
throughout the country.
George is AZ years old. He has
been in poor health for more than a
year. -,
The report of the committee to the
board. which was adopted by the board,
utilizes to large extent the testi-
mony of the fifty witnesses examined
bv the committe Of the republics trus-
tees. Most of its recommendations
concern the administration OF the re-
public In the future.
Findings of Board.
OF Georges conduct, the report says
in part;
statements regarding his George 81
exercise of hypnotic influence on the
citizens of the republic, and his admls-
sions of Iapses of memory, as testified
before the joint committee of the Ma
tional Association of Junior Republics,
his presence in the institution is clear
ly undesirable.
Until 1902 George was the superin-
tendeut of the republic, then an eX
ccutive officer was employed, who gave
all his time and attention to the busi-
ness management and was designated as
superintendent. George, however, re-
mained at the head of the institution
until about 1908, when he officially
Withdrew from the management and had
accented an office III connection with
the National Association of Junior Re-
publics. However. he continued to re-
side in q house adjoining the grounds of
the republic and until recently had
more or less influence in the manage
inent. The republic IS present popula
tion is l24. and of this number forty
one are girls.
The report of the committee says:
"The evidence taken shows that for
many years it has been the custom of
Mr.. George to exhibit undue familiarity
with the girl citizens. Whatever may
have been his motive. his example in