New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-02
Inmates, Dating Time by
New Rule, Hold First
Holiday Fete.
TANNENBAUM, VISITOR,
DELIGHTED BY CHANGE
No Dope and No Discomfort Now
on Island Where He Suffered,
Says |. w. w. Leader.

Frank Tannenbaum returned 70
Blackwell's Island yesterday. This
time. however. he didn't move in as
star boarder. He was merely making
New Years call on some Of his old
pals.
Wonders have been accomplished
he said, after looking over the island;
"the place is certainly different from
what IL was in the old days"
The "old days" are not so far OFT
for Tannenbaum. for /, was only last
March he obtained his liberty. Nor
il il TO be wondered that the landscape
looked a bit brighter to Tannenbaum
Yesterday than it did from the inside
Of the cooler" after days OF solitary
confinement. with crusts for food and
dirty blankets for a bed
Yes; the place is different than
when was here. Warden Murths Is
immensely popular with the prisoners.
Every one that have spoken to
that there is no more dope In the
place. | have the assurances OF many
o. the prisoners that there isn't sniff
TO be had out here now, and il there
was any OF the JOY drue about | would
know IT,"
Tsnnenbaum returned for a visit 20
the Island-a thing denied TO former
prisoners until recently-as the guest
Of the newly appointed Commissioner
Of Correction Lewis, whom he met re-
Gently at a meeting Of ex-convicts in
terestsd in prison reform.
These two we're the guests of honor
at the New Years celebration which
Warden Murtha gave TO tho inmates
yesterday celebration that Will not
soon be forgotten in the annals of the
Island. for il was the first time that
the holiday had even glanced at Black
wells Island as it passed over.
A vaudeville entertainment, consist
ing of soft shoe dances. cake walks,
tangos, Russian darces, sleight-of-
hand performances and excellent mu-
sic, and, most significant OF ALL hearty
tributes TO the warden. WAS given by
the inmates. A hug. banner. hung
from the upper tiers of cells TO one
of the balconies. bore the inscription,
Success and Holiday Greetings TO the
Warden"
Commissioner Lewiss introduction TO
the prisoners by Warden Murtha was
met by enthusiastic applause from the
men.
81 wish my regime" said the Com
missioner. "to be one o. restricted lib
erty, even as your New Years celebra-
ton is to-day Great improvements
are possible il the inmates are willing
TO do their part. l hope that | can
count on you u man 10 suppress
any discordant tendency"
Tannenbaum paid his respects yes
terday TO the old Cooler"
81 nearly went crazy in there" he
said. 81 was not permitted TO even
read or write. and could have no Wis
itors. At times even the guards were
forbidden TO speak 70 me. Now the
men can take bath, decorate their
rooms. buy pencils. read newspapers,
have their glee clubs and play ball on
clear days.
"The most remarkable thing. though,
il the atmosphere of good will. One
Of the keepers told me that he is not
afraid to turn his back on a prisoner
occasionally now. Some of my old
pals who used TO be notorious as trou-
BILE makers are now the keepers best
friends They all have great faith in
Commissioner Lewis and will do all
they can to make his rule a success"