New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-15
Carnegie Hall Crowd
Hears Veterans Beg
for a Square Deal.
PRINCIPAL KEEPER
BACKS EX-BOSS
Chairman OfMeeting Spent
81 Years in Jail-BOy'S
Prank Ones UndOing.

Ex-convicis, men who had served
time in every prison OF rote from San
Quentin. in California, TO Thomaston.
in Maine. speaking to m audience that
filed Carnegie Hall last night, de-
nounccd the old prison system, told
how under the system OF Thomas Mott
Osborne men were taught to think
straight and 90 straight. and appealed
for a chance for the man leaving prison
10 make good.
On the platform and in the audience
bankers rubbed elbows with men rank
ing high in the underworld's hall Of
fame a. bank thieves. Judges sat next
30 men upon whom they had passed
sentence. Women whose names are in
the front pages of society's Who's Who
brushed in not unfricndly fashion
against sisters more familiar with the
press Of poverty and misfortune than
with the fashions at Newport or Fslm
Beach.
On the platform. 100. sat Frederick
T.. Dorner, the white haired principal
keeper Of Sing Sing, successor of the
man who for more than thirty years
dared not come to New York or leave
his homo in the prison grounds to vote.
lie declared that the new system intro
duced into Sing Sing b. Osborne had
helped him and his assistants as much
as it had those whom they are paid 70
watch.
There were policemen here oo-the
"harnegs bull" n Uniform, and re
plain clothes man, but there was moth
ing for them 10 do. Tho ex-convict
members Of the Mutual Welfare League
saw 20 it that the building was well
yoliced. and that the unregenerste
thief. bent on robbing those who meant
30 help his kind. was scrt on his way.
As meeting the demonstration was
unique, even FOR Carnegie Hall. from
the platform Of which many men preach
many creed7 from one years end TO
the other. Il was. IN fact. a typical
Carnegie Hall audience, and if there
vas anything in which it differed, il
was in the degree Of earnestness OF the
speakers and the quiet, to the point Of
stiffness, with which the speakers we're
listened TO.
I'm a way this quiet was necessary,
for life in prison does not. az rule,
make for voices that will carry 10 the
far ends or a large auditorium. and
with the exception OF Nr. Osborne and
Mr. Dorncr, all of the men who spoke
mad served long terms IN prison in the
days when silence was the rule, break
ing of which meant long hours in the
dungeons on bread and water. But
nevertheless j. did not lack in enthusi-
sm. and when one speaker after an
other made point applause Was not
lacking. Nor was there silence when
Osbornc's name was mentioned or when
he took the platform to close the meet
ing with an appeal that society help
itself by helping those who violate its
laws.
The doors of the hall were thrown
open at Z o'clock Even at that hour
there were q considerable number wait
ing to gain admission. Entering the
hall. these were greeted by members Of
the Mutual Welfare Leagues outside
branch. who have made good since they
left prison and who. with Mr.. Osborne.
served as ushers. Most of these had
gone direct 20 tho hall from their
places Of employment aiding the cause
being TO them more important 'han
dinners. Within the hall the colors and
banners Of the Mutual Welfare League
and the American flag were the only
decorations.
Chairman p Years Behind Bars.