The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-11-05
WHITMAN BACKS UP
OSBORNE METHODS
Will Not Remove Sing Sing
Warden-Reports May Be
Rejected.
PRISON INQUIRY HELD UP

ALBANY. Nov. Gov. Whitman does
not entertain the belief tina, the Osborne
plan 10Y operating at Sing Sing prison
II a failure. lie said tonight:
"The whole plan should have a ft,r
and complete trial and unless a good
deal more develops than has already
been brought out 1t has proved far from
. failure
This statement, following 30 closely
upon the receipt by the state Prison
Commission Of the Diedling report.
charging, 1t Is said. Warden Osborne
with Incompetence. was something ~
q surprise. 1t was the Governors 6rst
public expression as to how he feels
about the Sing Sing situation.
The publication of the report of Com
missioner Rudolph +. Diedllng was ex-
pected here to-day. but following tire
meeting Of the Prison Commission It
wa announced that not only would
the report not be given out for publi-
cation. but hat none Of the commits
sioners. not even Or. Diedling, would
upon 1t. Before the meet.i y
of the commission DR.. Diedling sub
United memoranda to Gov. Whitman.
VIII Keep Hands on.
While the Governors statement indi-
Gates plainly what his position In the
Sing Sing situation Is, his friends 20
further and state that 1t Is his belief
that of all the charges made against
Warden Osborne by various investi.
gators not one would stand the tesi
of legal scrutiny and further, that
until charges which can be con-
clusively proven are made he will NOT
interfere with the management OF Sing
Sing. They say that a study of the
prison records shows that the number
of scapc during last yea- was fewer
thar in the previous year and tina, he
assaults and other crimes alleged &c
have been committed have always beer
Incidents in prison administrations.
Tho Governor ridiculed the idea that
ne had called off District Attorney
Weeks. who is investigating Sing Sing
He characterized this report as apsIrd
Further hostilitles between the State
Superintendent Of Prisons aud the War.
den are not looked for. In view of the
Governors statement it Is not expected
here that the Diedlirg report will he
accepted by the commission.
1t was learned to-day that the Died
ling report not only urges Mr.. Osborne
removal as warden but recommends hi!
Indictment. A lawyer who saw 1t dc
scribes It AS "a hot indictment OF thing
at Sing Sing, with no recommendation
OF Il medal for the warden Dir. Died
ling expects the report to be adopted
he said this morning.
Superintendent Riley approved to-da!
thc appointment OF stephen Miller a.
confidential clerk at Sing Sing. lie salt
he could not grant the salary increas'
asked for Deputy Warden Elihu Church
WHICH !s said to have been the cause o
The latter's resignation.
Grand Jury Inquiry Put Over.
WHITE PLAINS. y. Y, Nov. t.--Th,
warden, DR.. George W. kirchwey, for
merry dean Of Columbia Law School, an
several keepers brought five convicts her
from Sing Sing this morning TO fac
the Grand Jury which Is to invesiigat
affairs IN the prison.
The warden called at District Attor
ney Weeks's office and announced hi
readiness to answer questions at once
He expressed disappointment when Nj
Weeks informed him that the forma
Investigation was to he postponed unit
Monday. when Justice Morschauser G
the Supreme Court will swear in tn
November Grand Jury. Following thi
announcement the FIVE prisoners wer
placed in the county jail here IN til
face Of the warden's protests.
Various opinions are expressed her
regarding the effect of developments q
Sing Sing and the probable results of til
forthcoming inquiry. The prediction
vary. according as the prophets express
ing them are favorable to Warden Os
borne or otherwise.
The warden's opponents betrayed dis
appointment when word came from A
bany, following the receipts OF III
Diedling report, that Gov. Whitman ha
expressed a belief that evidence so IA
presented was insufficient TO stamp III
Osborne policies as a failure.
While Mr.. Osborne's opponents PROBES
20 believe that revelations expected