The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-07-26
in. HERR OF BARBER co
Board Defines Position in Its
Decision.
Goes Into Details in the Matter
of InSubOrdinatiOn.

NJ. F. Amrine, superintendent of the
state reformatory at Hutchinson, was
removed Tor cause by the state board
of corrections at 2:30 o'clock this af-
ternoon, following the finding on the
part of the board that charges of Off
ciaI misconduct against him were sub
stantiated. The order of the board re-
moving him from his Office is effective
today.
Amrine was found guilty on three
counts of charges made against him
by S. S. Graybill, state livestock COM
missioner. In each of the three counts
the board found him guilty, and gave
their reasons for the action taken. The
first count charged violation of the
quarantine, in that he fed prisoners
with milk from tubercular cattle. The
second was similar. The third charged
INSTRUMENTATION and failure to observe
and follow the orders of the board.
In summing up it's decision the board
found that Amrine's presence as an Of
ficer at the state institution was likely
to cause trouble inaSmuch as he Is
utterly out of harmony with the other
officers with whom he has to deal.
The findings of the board are as fol-
lows:
Charge 1: Wilful violation of the
state law.
The specifications in this charge
state that NJ. f. Amrine as superin-
tendent of the Kansas State Indus
trial RefOrmatOry at Hutchinson, did
feed to prisoners in said reformatory
milk from cows under quarantine for
tuberculosis, contrary to and against
the specific orders of the live stock
sanitary commissioner, thereby viO-
lating the laws of the state.
The evidence shows conclusively
that the milk from the quarantined
herd was fed for five days to the in
mates of the institution, Mr.. Amrine
himself admitting that 1t had been fed
three days, while the stewards testi-
mony shows that it had been used for
five days.
In defense of his action, Mr.. Am
rtne produced a letter from the state
board of health, stating that milk
heated to a certain temperature killed
all germs; hence, did not transmit dis
ease The letter, however, did not
give him authority to use the milk,
but simply stated under what condt-
tions it might, in the opinion of the
board of health, be used without bad
effects to the consumer.
The testimony further showed that
the milk was boiled for three oays.
but as to the other two days there was
no information as to whether it was
boiled or used as it came from the
cows, and only developed the fact that
II was not boiled, as ordered by the
Live Stock Sanitary Commissioner. Civ
en- orally May SOth. and violated his or
der in writing on June 9Th, that rhe
milk must be destroyed.
Charge 2 was covered fully by the
evidence in charge one; hence the find
Ing is covered as specified in the We = |
dict of charge 1.
Charge 3-Insubordination It wa
admitted by Mr.. Amrine under oath
that all the instructions he received
from the board in regard to the omar
antine, was in the letter of June 5th
which was received by him and signed
by w. L. Brown, of this board. at thar
time treasurer, and in the absence of
Mr.. Morgan, acting chairman. Tn lei
ter is as follows:
Lansing. Kansas, June 5th. 1918.
Mr. NJ. F. Amrine, Supt. Hutchinson
Kansas
Dear Sir:-Mr. Graybin informs me
that "a of our cows have been con-
demned, and recommends the disposaII
OF all of our milk stock. If sold now
the money would have to be turned
INTO the treasury, and for that reason
1 have arranged with him to ouaran
tine the bunch. till | can get home
and straighten the matter out I think
1t Is the best way out. and would ask
you to cooperate with him in the
quarantine, and hold the matters as
they are at present until Won and I
can talk 1t over. I am very sincerely
yours, W. L. BROWN
Treasurer
Inc fact being admitted by Mr Am
rlne that he broke the quarantine law
entirely by his own motion and act.
and thereby violated the orders of a
majority of the board of control,
makes it impossible to find any other
verdict but guilty as charged.
Further as set out by the specifica-
tons, and more serious in the iudg-
ment of the board, are Superintend
ent Amrlne's numerous interviews in
the newspapers, and his disposition TO
STIR up strife and discord This has
mad the effect of disorganizing the iu-
st1tutlon to such an extent that the
dlscipllne or the inmates has been
weakened, reaching such lengths as to |
lead them to conspire to do the su-
perintendent bodily harm. In proof
OF TINS we cite his own interview,
which he identified under oath. in
which he says in substance that the
institution IS demOralized. and charges
that the condition is brought about bv
the activity of the live stock sanI-
tary department. In further proof it