New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-19
,r,.--, s,,- Correspondent, o., tt. Tr1bun'.l

fr,-,-, s,,- Correspondent q TIE Tribune
Buffalo. March 1s-Until he Is shown
that the Osborne system OF PRISON
management IS wrong, James NJ. carter
named by Governor Whitman 10 DC
Superintendent Of Prisons. vice John b.
Riley. removed. says he will not inter
fere with the system now in vogue IN
Sing Sing and Auburn prisons.
on the other hand, he will not order
the extension Of the Osborne system 70
Great Meadows and Dannemors until
he IL convinced that II will worK better
than the systems now in operation IN
those prisons.
This he made clear this afternoon IN
the first interview he has given since
his appointment.
"Wiu you make any changes in VIC
Sing Sing and Auburn prisons as re-
cards the Mutual Welfare League ~ he
was asked.
Tf I am confirmed" he said, 81 will
take Office with an open mind. Until
have before me concrete reasons why
things should be different they will re-
main as they are. -.
81 will 90 at the subject from bust
ness viewpoint, take up each proDleh
as II comes. consider il fairly from the
knowledge at hand ana 90 what ] ne
ieye IS best. Naturally, ! VIII 20 a
great extent have TO call in experts on
Various matters and depend upon sub
ordinates to an extent. But in tho
last ANALYSIS | will be boss, as the
Superintendent should be, and treat
what comes before me on as nearly a
common sense basis as is within my
power.
Politics Not to Interfere
az am not a politician and took this
Office with the distinct understanding
that would be allowed TO run It III
business way.
"The Prison Department is, as | IN
derstand it, a great big business prop
sitjon. 1t affords. ! believe. an oppor-
tunity for real, worth while, construc-
tive work. That is what ! want TO DO.
Politics will not be allowed 20 interfere
with or hamper me in my work. fur-
tbermore. if in the course OF my WORK
| find a wall that Is rotten and should
come down, il will come down or l VIII
know the reason why. =,
an the event of a deadlock WELL
the Governor understands that In such
a contingency | will 60 to him, and |
know that he will back me up in any
thing in reason. | appreciate that the
position will not be an easy one, but
with the understanding that ! am to be
allowed to fill it for a year or two as q
business man would like 10 have place
in his own firm filled, l will be salts
fled to make that contribution 10 the
public service"
In regard TO systems OF PRISON man
agement. Mr.. Carter said:
II am not a penologist and | am not
committed 70 any scheme or plan OF
running the several prisons or manner
in which the prisoners should be treat
ed. save that the prisons should be run
as humanely as is consistent with the
purpose Of prisons and economic waste
prevented as far as possible. The
prison problem is one Of business and
economics and should be so treated.
To Look Beneath Surface.
"But II would be nonsense on my
part 10 attempt 10 say that this thing
is right and that thing wrong or d
compromise necessary there, for the
very yood reason that do not pretend
to know what is best and what is not
good in prison management and discl-
pline. These are things that ! Will
have 20 learn.
~ will, of course, make an inspec-