The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-06-29
MISS DAVIS DEFENDS
HARRIS ISLAND HEAD
Calls District Attorney Martin
"Butter In"-Says He Fa-
vOrs disappointment.
DOPE CASE TO GRAND JURY

A lively setto between Commissioned
Of Correction Katharine q. Davis and
District Attorney Francis Martin Of The
Bronx seems likely to result from Mr..
Martins Grand Jury investigation to-day
Of the Harris Island reformatory Under
the humane rule OF the new overseer.
Major Louis r.. Lawes. resulting from
the narrow escape from death of forty
seven young prisoners on Sunday from
doses of a mixture Of drugs they stole in
mistake for narcotics.
The only trouble on Harris Island Is
caused by people who butt in" said Miss
Davis Indignantly yesterday when told
that Mr.. Martin WAS going TO investi-
gate reports of lax discipline under
| Major lawes's modified honor system
MIR. Martin Is n personal friend or Mar
tin T. Moore. whom Major Lawes re-
placed In March. and has been trying 20
stir UP trouble.
mfr. Martin apparently wants to be
the disciplinary officer of the island. l
do not dispute his jurisdiction, but he
| should wait for notification from me II
/ need him. Keepers friendly to Mr..
Moore have been running to Mr.. Martin
| with every little thing that happened on
the island and then meddling begins.
warning 90 Martin.
II told Mr.. Martin q while ago that II
! caught any of my employ ces tattling to
him | would fire them 10 quick they
wouldn't know how they got out OF the
door. He said they would he reinstated
so quick I wouldn't know how II hap
pened and ] said I'd fire them again.
] will too. My employees SHOULD come
to me with complaints. OF course, II
| they are s%uhppnaed they would have to
GO. So would l."
Mr.. Martin denied vehemently yester-
day that friendship or political connec-
ton with Moore was back OF his IN
v~estigation.
commissioner Davls's statement that
| know Mr.. Moore liz absolutely false.
he said with heat. II never even saw
Mr.. Moore until after the first Grand
Jury inquiry last March, subsequent to
his removal. -.
The conditions on Harris Island
continued Mr.. Martin. speak louder than
can. Any one can see them. the
| Grand Jury has taken them up several
! times. II there were nothing the mat
4 ter there why does Miss Davis nave 10
| run up there every two or three days
| There IL something the matter-very
much the matter.
"I do not believe that this golden
rule government will ever be successful
| Until II Is ended We shall not see the
I old discipline and the old orderliness on
Har,'s Island. Miss Davis is corrcc:
! about lust one thing do have informa-
/ ton and inside information, about what
goes on there. The Grand Jury TO.
morrow will hear some things that VIII
open its eyes"
Honor system Upheld.
Miss Davis said that there had been
! only one case OF immortality IN the re-
/ formatory lately. instead OF eight. ar
alleged. The modified honor system m
stitu,ed by Major l.awes and the board
of monitors elected by the boys hau
proved satisfactory. she said. They APP
nrec,ated their greater freedom too. she
thought. At the farm at New Hampton,
Orange county. Miss Davis has 100
boy. entirely under the honor system.
The entire ~reformatory IL TO be moved
there soon from Harris Island despite
opposition in The Bronx.
Assistant District Attorneys Seymour
Mork and Richard F. McKlniry pre-
pared their case yesterday for p~resenta-
ton to-day to the Grand Jury. Detec-
tives were on Harris Island. and sub
punas were issued for witnesses. Dep
uty Correction Commissions Burdette
c.. Lewis, Major Lawes. DR.. j. +. Am
ster. who treated the drug victims. and
several OF the boys themselves will
testify.
The four boys. the Oldest 10, who SUI
fered most severely from the powerful
mixture OF four strong poisons, recov-
cred YESTERDAY, as did a fifth, Harry
Armsby. later found In great pain.
The other forty-two were ~ischarged
from the hospital. II is thought their
lives were saved by the presence In the
mixture OF apomorphia. = powerful
emet!c.
Major Lawes's investigation to find
those who broke into the drug store
room fastened suspicion on three young
prisoners undergoing the drug cure,
They have been isolated and may be
arrested to-day.