The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-19
MAY TAKE GEORGE
I FROM INSTITUTION
WHICH HE FOUNDED
Board Condemns Conduct of
Founder George Junior
Republic
CHARGES DATING BACK
TO 1904 CONSIDERED
Report of Charity Board Outlines
Reasons for Asking Removal.
Attorney for Accused
Man Indignant


New York. December 1S.-Removal of
William R. George from active participa-
ton in local affairs of the George Junior
Republic at F'reeville N Y, founded by
him more than 10 years ago, is recon-
mended this morning by the state board
of charities in report adopted by the
board yesterday and made public today.
Georges moral conduct is severely con-
demned.
An investigation begun more than six
months ago resulted In the recommends
ton. More than so witnesses in six states
We're examined with regard to charges of
loose living made against George by three
young women. These We're former mem
bers of the republic.
The oldest of these charges dated back
to 1904; the most recent was several years
old
The testimony was unpublishable and
no verdict a. to whether the charges were
sustained was rendered by the committee
under whose direction the investigation
was made.
The character of the principals in these
charges would make it impossible to
prove them by unsupported testimony, >
Henry A. Wise, attorney for the commi,- =
tee, said 1T is my opinion that no court
of law would accept the exchanges of
unsupported word of any of these three
girls in case involving the conduct of a
man like George for moral turpitude."
Strongly Condemns Conduct
Board members Notwithstanding strong
dealing with members of the Republic.
adopting among others the following res
olution
THAT William George be removed in
fact from any connection whatever with
the republic as your committee is firmly
of the opinion that his usefulness al
Freeville has long since ended
The board also recommended that no
more girls be received at the Republic
and that those now there be speedily re-
moved to other places.
A dozen other recommendations con-
corning the administration of the re-
public's affairs are made, chief of
which are suggestions that the courts
of the republic, the grand jury and the
district attorney be abloshed and that
the superintendent deal with all Of
fenses.
A Benevolent DespOt
George had not been actively con-
nected with the republic for some time.
His retirement from the directorate of
the national organization of the republic
ii is said was forecasted by the report.
The George Junior Republic was
founded by William r. George as a
refuge forvtruant boys.eIts initial mem
bers was toughs of the old Bowery, the
youths who said they never had a
chance. These boys were taken to the
hills of F'reeville near Ithaca and un-
der Georges direction governed them
selves in the republic which he set
tied.
George was a benevolent despot it is
alleged. BY his protegees he was called
Daddy George and his chief aim he oft
en- said in his defense was to bring
back to an atmosphere of home life the
wayward boys and girls after they had
strayed.
From the model at Freeville other
George Junior Republics were fashioned
throughout the United States
Emery r. Buckner counsel for
George. was indignant today when told
of the report. He said that the commit
tee had heard only witnesses hostile to
George and none for him; that wit
nesses could have been called in his
favor but were noe He said these could
easily have disproved the charges pre-
ferred.
George is AZ years old He has been
in poor health for more than a year.
The committee report which was
adopted by the board utilizes to large
extent the testimony of the so wit
nesses examined by the committe of the
republics trustees Most of its recom-
mendations concern the administration
of the republic In the future
Presence Undesirable
OF Georges conduct the report says
further in part:
''ln view of certain confessions and
statements regarding Georges exercise
of hypnotic influence upon the citizens
of the republic and his admissions oil
lapses of memory as testified before the
joint committee of the National Associa-
tion of Junior Republics. his presence in
the institution is clearly undesirable
1t was brought out i'll the course of
testimony taken by the committee of trus-
tees that George had practiced hypnosis
to such an extent that he could hypnotize
himself by standing before a mirror.
Sometime he did it was testified and
had to be awakened from the trance by
someone else, it is alleged. being unable
to throw 1t off himself. 1t was also testi-
members of the republic
Until 1902 George was superintendent
of the republic. After this an executive
officer was employed. George continued
to remain chief of the institution until
about 1908 when he withdrew. He ac-
cepted an office in Connection with the
National Association of Junior Republics.
George continued to reside in a house
adjoining the grounds of the republic
and until recently had more or less in
fluence in the supervision.
The republics population is 124, and Of
this number Al are girls. No persons is
admitted under IA. The average age is
II. Since 1896 the property has increased
in area and value. 1t now consists of
about AGO acres of land aud 20 buildings.
Committeeman pointed out the repub-
lie was considerably in debt having dur
ing the past year exceeded receipts by
about $500
Committees Report
The report of the committee says:
Evidence taken shows that for many
years 1t has been the custom of Mr..
George to exhibit undue familiarity with
the girl citizens. Whatever may have been
his motive, his example in this regard
and the influence of these acts as was
shown by testimony of many witnesses
had the effect of leading to immoral acts
of number of the older girls and boys.
About q year ago 1t became apparent
to those in control of the republic that
serious immoral conditions existed within
tho institution. An effort o eradicate the
evil resulted In the arrest and convic-
tion of several citizens of both sexes
Until recently at least there have been
many opportunities for immortality among
the citizens at the institution. We find
that It is the custom to permit the girls
TO do housewofk In houses occupied by