The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-07-04


Superintendent of the Monroe
County Penitentiary, who has super
vision of Henry Siegel's activities ir
the upstate institution.
want to talk to any more OF them. I've
nothing to say. anyway"
No newspaper man has since been
able to interview Siegel except to-day
when he came out Of his shell.
Warden Craig was asked by a repre-
sentative Of THE SCS to tell Siegel that
1t had been rumored thAs ne was receiv
ing special privileges in the peniten-
tiary that he was being treated better
h the other prisoners. taat such a
umo vas perhaps damaging to the
reputation OF the warden and the In
stitution.
siegel Gives an Interview.
Siegei thought that over. He likes
the big warden. He decided that he
wanted to deny that rumor. to deny II
vehemently. He said ne would see .
reporter. but only for a few moments.
Seated In an armchair In the guard
room OF the prison. Siegel received his
visitor. He looked up at the doorway
almost eagerly as the visitor entered.
lie seemed anxious to begin. to get
the talk over with.
In his chair he fell naturally enough
into the position OF the man accus-
toned to give orders. lie did not look,
wen in h!s prison clothes. like a man
who took orders from others. lie leaned
we'll back in the chair. With his ell
bows on its arms he clasped his hands
at "A point near his thin.
When Warden Craig introduced the
mar from THE SuN Siegei smiled
slightly. lie tool the outstretched hand
in n grasp that was neither strong nor
cordial.
Are you receiving special privileges
In here?" asked the caller.
81 I'M just like the others here" an
swered Siegel.
As II to vouch for the statement he
looked down at the rough gray clothes
Of the prison, a suit that looked as
though it had been made IN a hurry
and with little regard for the prevailing
styles.
Even at that. he had made an at
tempt TO spruce up to receive his caller
in his best He wore a collar. 1t
was a piece of linen long past the i'm
maculate stage. 1t was the same collar
he had worn when he entered the penl-
tertiary and its lustre was gone.
Warden Craig explained later that Il
was due to the fact that Sieeel's ONE
bite and white prison shirt was in the
iacndry that he came to be allowed to
don ere shir. and collar which ne rad
brought with him. New shirts are being
made for him.
What privileges could a man have IN
this placer" Siesel asked, a tone OF
Irony in his voice. II can't even smoke,
because OF the rules"
you can chew tobacco. though, N
you want TO-" was suggested. do you
take advantage OF the p~rivilege?'
Yes" responded Siegel. with a
twinkle in his eye. 81 take advantage
II the chewing privilege, but I my
oncw rum.'
In the fifteen minute that the inter
view lasted Siagel watched his caller
closely. His gaze was not steady, nor
did he seem to be trying to ~outguess his
questioner. At times he shifted his eyes
rapidly n his expression seemed TO
presage "A flow OF conversation that was
not forthcoming, lie was frank In all
his answers. but he waited each time
for a question. lie volunteered moth
ing. lie answered in short sentences.
Has No Plans, He Says.
Are you planning anything for the
future?" was asked.
plans? Plans?' He spoke volubly
for a moment. Whats the use OF
planning? ! might make many plans. I
might plan day and night. and then
some one might spoil all the plans for
mo. So what's the USE of planning in
here? think I'll wait until I get out
before doing any planning. No use to
plan here"
Suddenly Siegel seemed TO brighten.
His voice took on a lighter note. For
n moment he surely forgot the presence
OF the warden and the reporter and his
eyes looked into his future.
But ! am going into business again.
Yes. the same business. l am going to
start all over again and I'm going to
make good"
Siegel admits he IL So years old. He
does not look to be more than so. His
caller told him so.
81 am SO years old. but 7 don't feel
it," he said, II don't feel as old as 80.
/ am young yet. and ! can do a lot too"
or his clerical work in the Bertillon
department. Siegel said that he liked It.
He always did more or less ~bookkeep-
ing, he said.
What do you read?" asked the caller.
II read magazine stories. read any,
thing ! can find. ] like to read"
Then you like good literature? You
like the classics?"
Siegel smiled at the last question.
"No; ] don't are for the classics. I