New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-15
Agree to Work Together.
$500 a Year Man Talks.


$500 a Year Man Talks.
$50 are wei" shouted one of the
diners. and when the laughter subsid-
cd. the Commissioner agreed IL was
proper that that attitude be held on
both sides. -,
III don't make good you tell me"
he said. "If you don't somebody else
will tell me-"
Then an ex-convict, now earning
81 800 a year, made an appeal for the
man who has served more than one
term.
1T is all right and easy for the fell
low who has only done one bit com
pared to that of the fellow who has
dore two or three stretches" he said
"but those of US who have done more
than one know how hard 1t is. No
one will give us a chance, and we have
been bounded and bounded by the
police. :,
"what would you do if you were dis
charged, with just few dollars, no
home iHd no friends and probably not
a trade to work at? Your money won't
last long; it doesn't last long no mat
ter how careful you are with it and you
soon find that it's all gone. what
would you do-starve or steal or 20
into the river?'
Little Too Personal.
Before the Commissioner could an
swer DR.. Within relieved the situation
by suggesting that the question was
perhaps a little too personal.
How about the fellow who has made
good, Commissioner? Don't you think
he ought to have his citizenship back?
It's pretty tough for a man who's been
going straight long time to have no
no rights. Don't you think
it ought to be easier than it is for him
to come back" another convict asked.
81 certainly do" said the Commits
sioner, but you know that Is some
thing in which the Governor alone can
act. II any man who has been going
straight and making good comes to me
| will indorse his petition as soon as |
make sure that he il right"
Another thing, Commissioner" sug-
gested yet another eX-conyict, take
man who wants license to drive a
taxicab. If he's an ex con, he's barred
out from that chance of earning his
living"
All Referred to Police.
"Not always" replied the Commits
sioner. "All applications for licenses
are referred 10 US and We give the
mans record. That is necessary for
the protection of the public. But where
man il going straight, trying TO keep
straight, and we know IL, | am & ad
and vii! be glad to certify to that fact.
But the man who is still a crook and
wants a license won't get one. The
public Is entitled to protection.
"If a man is trying 10 go straight,
IL there is some report OF the police
against him. and it is one Of those
eases that hangs in the balance. III
take your word for it if you'll vouch
for the man and give him the benefi.
of the doubt"
what have been trying to make
clear 10 the men of the department is
that their job is as much. if not more,
10 prevent crime than it is to detect
the criminal after the damage has
been done. 1t is easier for the cops,
better for everybody. If can have the
aid Of men who have been crooked and
are now going straight because
they fear a cop il after them, but be-
cause they see il is the only way to 90
don't you see | will have the most
valuable sort of expert help?
Elmira Called Prep. School.
al want a lot of help. This is a big
lob. How many of you men have been
In juvenile institutions or Elmira?"
Three fourths Of those present raised
their hands.
How many of you felt any good in
fuonce in those places ?"
Laughter was his answer.
"Why, Mr.. Commissioner" spoke up
one husky fellow, There isn't man
here who's been through that mill but
learned crime in those places. wasn't
thief when went TO the protectory.
But knew how to pick pockets when
came cut. And when | went to Elmira.
the prep school for Sing Sing, believe
me. learned lot more"
ave want answered the Commits
sioner, "to keep the boys out Of those
places"
Disllkes stool Pigeons.
"How about stool pigeons?" another
ex-convict asked.
ave have to depend upon them
good deal" said Mr. Woods; Eve
haven't policemen enough. | don't like
stool pigeons any more than you do.
But under existing conditions we have
10 use them"
Warden Thomas Mott Osborne, in
brief talk. suggested that the members
of the outside branch of the league
work out scheme for presenting on
the stage an idea OF the workings of
the league in prison. this leading TO
an invitation to Commissioner Woods
10 visit Sing Sing with a committee
Of the league. The invitation was az
ceDtsa for a date yet to be named.