New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-02
Home Matron Says Mrs.
Friedman'S Lax DiSCi-
pine Was Outrageous.
DECLARE MEN GAVE
DRUGS TO INMATES
Auto Rides and Ice Cream SodaS
Caused JealouSieS, Assert
EX.ChiefS AccuserS.

Mrs. Antonio Friedman's statements
as 10 the reasons for her leaving the
Magdalen Home is false in every par
ticular. Tammany had no hand in her
leaving. She brought it upon herself
by her outrageous laXity Of discipline"
This was the comment Of Miss Janet
Macconachie, one Of the matrons Of the
"house Of trouble at Dyckman Street,
yesterday afternoon. With the other
matrons she showed her anger over the
attempt they believed Mrs. Friedman
made to spread misinformation con-
corning the recent riot at the home.
"Oh, Osborne, Osborne, what crimes
are committed in thy namel" This was
the attitude Of the authorities toward
Mrs. Friedman's statement that she had
tried TO introduce Osborne methods at
the home.
"What she did was 20 relax discipline
so that the girls could get cocaine and
drugs from their men friends outside
declared Miss Macconachie. "She let
them see the men for whom they had
worked as prostitutes in the reception
room without any chaperon. She let
them stand IN view OF the street and
signal TO men so brazenly that even
the policemen had commented on it.
I'VE are all admirers of Thomas Mott
Osborne, and every possible part of
his programme is adopted here. Mrs.
Friedman says she started dances and
parties for the girls, and gardens and
pretty bingham dresses in place OF uni
forms There is not one of those re-
forms which Was not IN practice long
before she came.
what she did was TO play for the
girls affections in q way that was per-
fectly disgusting. She would walk up
and down the veranda with her arms
about them. She took one of them out
automobiling and gave her ice cream
soda. You can imagine how pleasant
the atmosphere was when the others
saw that one girl was picked out for
favors, while they were left out in the
cold.
"The wisest Of them knew that
things could not 60 on. The consul
girls had warned US three weeks ago
that a riot was impending. Mrs. Fried
man knew il herself. She was so terri
fed that she had her husband come up
70 stay with her last Sunday. She slept
with two doors locked between her
room and the hall where the girls were.
"Of course. the girls were sorry to
see her go. Wouldn't you cry if you
saw an easy mark being taken away
from you?
when they thought they could cheat
punishment and get off with an easy
sentence in the workhOuse instead Of
their year here they made 8 mistake.
I am afraid they won't be free very
soon. As for the girls who rioted
again last night, they are in solitary
confinement. There will be no more
iov rides 10 Jefferson Market court
for Magdalen Home girls. Hereafter
we will attend TO our own discipline"
Peace, sweet peace brooded over the
institution yesterday afternoon. The
girls were playing baseball out in the
courtyard.
1t seems that the girls who rioted
were the very ones who have been most
trusted. One was Miss Macconnachie's
maid.
Miss Macconnachie received letter
from the girls in court asking for len
iency.
II was stated at the home that the
absence Of Mrs. James B. Reynolds,
president Of the board Of trustees, had
nothing TO do with Mrs. Friedman
dismissal
Mrs. Friedman visited the girl riot
ers in Jail yesterday, and promised to
aid them with a lawyer if necessary.
They threatened TO create another riot
in court
Miss Macconnachie took no chances
at the home yesterday, and had the
police on guard.