The sun., 1916-02-09
BOYS SPIRIT BROKEN
BY CLOWN CLOTHES
"Simply Awful" Says Com
missioner DOhcrty Of Pun
ishmcMt in Asylums.
GIRLS ARE "EXPLOITED'

Can any hoy wear trousers or "h''n
one leg II blue aud the other red ana
retain his sclf-rcspcct"
William J. pohcrty, Second Deputy
Commissioner of Charities. believes tho
psychological effect of such a color COM
bination worn by one of tho city's wards
is "si,upiy awful" and lie told Commas
sioner strong so at yesterdays hearing
Of charges against the state Board Of
Charities.
Its effect upon the youngsters who are
inmates Of the institution of Mercy for
Boys in Tarrytown Is only second to the
degrading practice Of corporal punish
mcnt Mr.. Dohcrty said. and he would
substitute for the jarrug color scheme
a system Of deprivation of privileges
such as not bens allowed TO attend a
baseball game
~ would much rather stay away from
a baseball game than wear one red and
one blue trouser leg" exclaimed Mr.
Doherty. pulling eNcitedly at his mop OF
curly gray hair.
Another practice at this institution
which called forth his criticism is that OF
having the boys march to meals, to
recitation. to play. In step with the
measured beat of drum. ut is very
Objectionable" he said, "and there Is
always a depressing atmosphere In the
dining hail due to the excessive military
spirit
Vassar Girls March to Chapel.
Did you know. Mr.. Dohcrty. that the
girls IN Nassar march into chapel and
out again every day" asked Commits
eioner Strong with "A smile.
Keeping step and in silence?" asked
Mr.. boherty in reply.
Yes"
We'll. | am opposed to e." he said.
II imagine that If | inspected Nassar
would object to that
Mr.. Doherty said in answer 10 the
question Of John NJ Bowers. counsel for
the State Board of Charities, that the
teachers In this Tarrytown home get
only SIS month.
II can't get a competent cook for
that" he exclaimed
do you argue that because you can't
set a competent cook for that sum they
cant get competent teachers for So a
month";" asked Mr. Bowers.
you're joking. Mr.. Bowers" said Mr.
Doherty. eff you knew anything about
education YOU would know that any
teachers of competence can get much
more than that and would get it,
In illustrating the kind of teachers al
this institution Mr.. Dohertys report
stated that one teacher had "A harsl
and unmolodious voice to which children
should not bc subjected for four or fv,
hours {, day.
NWNers Hears Who DcNtne Is.
Al another point Mr.. pohcrty brought
In the name of Irr. Edward r. Devine
secretary Of the Central Council Of tn,
Charities organization Society.
who is pr. Devine?" asked Mr.
Bowers.
what. you don't know him" answere,
Doherty in undisguised amazement. ED
ward Z. Ibevne. the standard bearer o
ali social workers.
els hc one of these modern persons :?
asked Mr.. bowers
Yes, indeed very modern"
Sorry ! never heard Of him" said th
sttorncY. and dismissed the subject.
Mr.. Dohcrty charged that there wa
exploitation uf girls IN the Institute O
Mercy girls department. at Madiso
avenue and t.ighty-tirst street. II. sal
that there were girls there over Ii wear
old working for the Institution and get
ting only s. a month. lie admitted tina
they proha bly, had Il safe nome. but con
trNucu llliit SNtU an environment UNITE
them for the task of taking care q
themselves after they eft the HON,
When they reach an age at which the
arc able 10 earn anything at all. h
thought, they would he better off out i
the world where they could learn to h
sclf-reliant, or if kept in the home shoul
BE- paid better wages.
Mr. boherty said that he did not kno,
whether or not the girls were allowed I
leave the home if they wished To afte
reaching suitable age, but that h
thought in some cases the sisters
charge influenced the girls to stay ther
What would YOU say to a statener
made to me Yesterday in this buldin
that there are girls there over 81 yeai
old who have tried to escape and can't
asked Comm ssioner strong.
IN your experience, have YOU eve
mad such condition brought TO yol
attention he was asked
Mr.. Doncrty replied that he had not
where the Girls Get Clothes.
When Mr. Rowers took IN tho av,r
s,, S'' ~ ",N'" .''' .oi''' ~ VI