The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-07-19


lN he ran counter to all prece-
dents and the objections OF
many OF his advisers and named
woman as head Of the Department Of
Correction. No other official OF his ad-
ministration has been regarded with the
scrutin!zing eye that was directed to-
ward Mss Katharine 3. Davis on the
day she took ONCE. She had been looked
70 for proof OF the theory that ability
and not sex counts in any undertaking.
Miss Davis came 70 the department
with many new IDEAS as 70 the conduct
OF prisons and correctional Institutions
There was nothing novel in that. AL
most all new officials have new IDEAS
But she had also the courage OF her
convictions and In the face OF some OPP
position from those who have had more
actual experience with these matters
she has proceeded to put them into
practice Now there Is a general UNDER
standing throughout the department
that she means business and at the con-
clusion OF her arst Ave months in ofiice
Mayor Mitchell does not hesitate TO say
that q department previously regarded
as a department Of ja!ls Is now real
Department OF Correction.
Apparently her department" says
the Mayor. has known what TO do, how
10 do 1t. and who ouli help and has
moved forward TO accomplishment with
out hesitation. The policy OF open pub
iicity, regardless OF whether the facts
hinder or promote departmental policies,
has abundantly justified itself so far"
Miss Davis has upset the tradition
that no one holding public Office ought
TO do more than TO accept conditions as
they are and make the most Of them.
Having resolved that conditions are not
what they ought to be size proposes to
alter them, not by the expenditure OF
large sums Of money. but by the more
effective use Of materials at hand and
by enllst!ng the aid of other depart
ments and public spirited citizens. Her
report 10 the Mayor on the tirst four
and a half months OF her adminlstra-
ton tells what she has done by these
methods and what she hopes 10 do.
One of her most interesting expert
ments was the transfer OF boys from
the reformatory on Harris Island TO the
New Hampton farm in Orange county
The city purchased 610 acres there last
year. The Harris Island institution
was badly overcrowded, and besides,
out into the country. Th.rty-tive oil
them were taken to the farm. These
boys have ploughed sixty acres and
have planted more than forty-one acre:
with oats. potatoes. peas beans and
other vegetables. They have built
bunk house to accommodate nifty boys
They have repaired The dairy anc
barns and they take care ~ the cattle
"The boys enjoy the work. and the
spirit Of the institution Is excellent.
says the superintendent in charge
"only one boy has violated his parole
Six or seven additional boys will be
sent out weekly hencefor;h until thE
capacity OF the present buildings has
been reached"
THE extension Of the honor system
to the boys reformatory." says Com
. missioner Davis, has justified Itself
so far. Some have regarded this steI
as an experiment. but such is not th'
case. The system is working well al
over the country. The significance o
the New Hampton work will become
more apparent 70 the people at larg'
later. II II succeeds, as we feel con