The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-01-22
MOYER EXONERATED
BY ATLANTA REPORT
DR.. Mckelway Fails to Find
Proof Of Hawthorne and
Howard Charges.
PRAISE INSTEAD OF BLA ME-
Howard to Seek Another In
INSTRUMENTATION Will
Result in Reforms.
PRAISE INSTEAD OF BLAME

WAsHiNGToN. Jan. c1.---The report OF
Or. A. J. Mckelway. special agent Of the
Department of Justice. who investigated
the charges against the administration Of
the Federal prison at Atlanta gathered by
Representative w. s. Howard and sub
ml,ted TO Attorney General McRcynolds.
was received to-day by NJ. McEeynolds.
II exonerates Warden Meyer and his
Subordinates and concludes with the dec
! iTation that n satisfac Glory condition ex-
iats at the penitentiarN.
vs. far as the Attorney General is con-
cerned the receipt OF the Mckelway re-
port ei'ds the situation created by the
submission ~ the Howard data, whicN
were published IN THE SuN. No change in
,Ac personnel o. the present adminstra-
ton OF the affairs Of the prison will be
made.
Dr. McKelway began his investigation
soon after tho publication in THE SUN Of
the charges made by Julian Hawthorne
lie was instructed to look into these as
well as other charges and statements in
regard to the prison.
lie was I'm the midst OF this investiga-
ton when the Howard data were sub
mitted to the Department. Summaries Of
the charges included in these data were
forwarded to DIR. Mckelway by the At
torney-General with instructions that they
be inquired into carefully.
DR.. Mckelwny's Wide Investigation.
Mr.. McReynolds said DR.. McKelway
had made an extended series OF observa-
tions upon the treatment OF the prisoners
In the penitentiary. He had examined
the food served 10 them, had sought to in
form himself as TO whether or not they
usar faA h,tr, ay.nIt nj u.h. has ~
guards and prisoners were subjected Ia a
system Of favoritism. ~ had been
charged Efforts were made 10 ascertain
II the business affairs Of the prison were
administered by the authorities conscien-
tiously and honestly.
The investigator finally was convinced
that Warden Meyers administration
should be praised instead OF blamed He
believes the prison Is operated in a man
ner creditable to the Government
The specific charges involved in the
small number OF afidavits submitted by
Representative Howard as far as they
could be substantiated. Dr. McKelway
reported. reflected only upon subordinates
in administrations previous to that OF
Warden Meyer. No evidence was accumu-
lated which in the opinion Of the Govern
ments expert would Justify the dismiss
sal or reprimanding of either Warden
Meyer or any Of his subordnates.
The Attorney-General has sufficient
confidence in Dr. Mckeiways Judgment
and fairness OF mind TO accept his opin.
ions as to conditions.
Reforms in Prisons VIII Result.
Certain reforms in the management OF
Federal prisons probably will grow GU.
OF the investigation. although these will
not involve any aspersions upon the work
of Warden Meyer.
One recommendation which the Attor-
ney- General has accepted and which will
be communicated to Congress IL that for
| some change in the statutes relative "a
the personnel Of the Federal parole board
This board is composed OF the Superin-
tendent OF Prisons. acting with the war
den and surgeon OF such prison.
Prisoners feel that persons not having
such an intimate knowledge OF their con.
duct In the prison might act with less
prejudice upon applications for parole
| They feel that the warden and the sur
geon properly should appear as witnesses
but not pass Judgment.
Representative Howard decided to-day
that he would urge further inquiry. He
is not satisfied either with the investiGa-
ton or the investigator. He Ia armed
with nfidavits regarding prison condi-
lions which ne thinks controvert the
statements made in DIR. McKelway's re-
port.
1t is probable that Mr.. Howard will
introduce in the House soon resolution
calling for an investigation OF tho prison
by a special committee Of Congress. Mr.
Howard wrote a letter to-day to Attor-
ney-General McReynolds ut the suRges,
ton OF Majority Leader Underwood in
which he related that he had such a
project in contemplation.