New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-26
MRS. DUNPHY OUT
AFTER LONG FIGHT
Six of Eight Charges Made
Against Randall's Island
Chief Sustained.
CHILDREN PUT IN
PERIL, SAYS REPORT
Woman viii Fight Decision
Her Lawyer Hints at Adverse
influence by kingsbury.

After many attempts by successive
commissioners, Mrs. Mary c. Dunphy
was finally dismissed yesterday as
Superintendent Of the New York City
Chi,dren's Hospitals and Schools by
Henry c. Wright, Deputy Commits
siorer Of Charities. The action ends
Mrs Dunphy's career Of forty-nine
years with the department, twenty
three q which were spent as supern-
tonGent AZ Randall's Island.
4 letter Of dismissal was carried TO
Mrs punphy Yesterday by a messenger.
Il was signed by Mr.. Wright. and
stated that charges Of serious nature
had been substautIatcd.
81 consider that your services have
not insured he proper safeguards 70
the children il continued, land find
30 necessary 90 terminate your connec-
ton with the institution"
SiN Of the eight allegations made
against Mrs. Dunphy on March 2. Mr.
Wright said. had been sustained by re-
ports and al 5avits collected by the
department She was not found guilty
IF the first two, which related to
brutal and inhuman treatment OF the
children. as there was evidence to
prove that she had knowledge Of the
prevalence and repetition Of forbidden
punishments.
The charges which were sustained
were in substance;
Failure 20 properly guard against in
fictitious and contagious diseases.
Failure to distribute food IN proper
proportions to children.
Failure to safeguard decency.
Failure 20 make proper provisions
for comfort.
Permitting underclothing Of inmates
70 be taken by employees.
Failure to maintain proper drills and
Ere hazard measures.
Although Mrs. Dunphy made no com
ment when she received the notice OF
her dismissal. Il is believed that her
counsel Will apply for writ of man
damus to reverse the action OF Mr.
Wright. who was the trial judge. She
will be succeeded by Joseph Flick,
superintendent Of the City Farm Col
onv. who Will act, according 10 the
Deputy Commissioner. for i've or SIX
months. until arrangements can be
made in conformity with civil service
requirements TO select a permanent
Superintendent.
For most Of the period Mrs. Dunphy
had been associated with the Ran
dall's Island institution she had been
under fire for the deplorable condi-
tons there But she had powerful re-
hgious affiliations. and was also con
.idered valuable Tammany asset In
the last election the four voters on the
island who cast their ballots for fusion
1876 chose the Tammany candidates
were soon discharged from their posts
as orderlies.
Grenville Clark. who has represented
the dismissed woman official, said yes
terday that the action was only what
was TO have been expected in view of
the attitude Of Commissioner of Char
tiles John A Kingsbury. He declared
that the decision had been made sew
eral months before the charges were
preferred.
Commissioner Kingsbury expressed
sorrow for the woman as an individual.
but regarded her discharge as the re-
rnoval Of the greatest single obstacle 10
progress at Randalps Island He
added that il would require probably
100000 TO raise the hospitals and
schools there TO high standard.