The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1917-03-03
Testimony Has Been Large
ly a Repetition of That at
Public Hearing
SCHOOL MANAGEMENT
sSlssss 49, -~s-'v-~ss- HSEaSEfSFNm
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Many Persons Familiar with Institution
had No Criticisms TO Offer - Feel
ing That Expense of $500 to 5000 for
Hearing Was Unnecessary.
Special to The Reformer. J

MONTPELIER, March ,.
The committee on state institutions,
which has been investigating the man
agement and conditions at the Brandon
school for the feeble minded, took ad-
Journment yesterday afternoon, when
they had finished examining their wit
nesSeS.
The committee will hold private ses-
slons and it would seem they will make
their report without further public
hearings or the summoning of more
witnesses.
An impartial nearer Yesterday aft
ernGon would conclude that one T. w.
Bragg of Rutland, who did plumbing at
the Brandon school became offended
because Or. F. j. Russell, the supcrin-
tendent, was somewhat arbitrary and
insisted on having the work in accord
ancc with his wishes. From Bragg, II
is alleged, came the rumors as to mis-
management and abuse OF the children.
:. b. Knowlson, the attendant III
charge of small boys at the SCHOOL,
testified that he had never struck q
boy harder than he would be willing
TO lie hit in the face. DR.. Russell tes-
titled that he considered KuoWlson a
/ good man for the work ana Dr. C. S
! Caverly of Rutland, who recommended
4 Ku0wlson, was il the room and said
that knowlson was patient, kind and
shifted for the work. There have been
charges that Knowlson unduly pun
,'ishel the BOYS.
Mildred Fansworth Of ST. Adams
and Ella Bellows of Fairfax, who have
been employed at the school, agreed
thai their instructions were to never
inflict corporal punishment and ncithcr
had seen DR. Russell or anyone strike
or abuse the children. They also
agreed that the food was excellent
and sufficient clean clothing was sup
/ piled the inmates at all times
Prof. j. W. Notey Of Burlington san
/ itary engineer for the state board Of
| health, in visiting the school several
times was very favorably impressed
with the care given the children. Rep
resentativc George II. Young of Bean
/ don volunteered the information that
4 hG,aUd has wife Recently found the in
i stitution i'll excellent condition. in fact
better than he expected, when they
made a casual visit without anyone at
the school knowing that they intended
TO call.
D.. /. :. Coburn Of Milton. one Of
the board Of trustees. cleared up in n
measure, the matter OF poor farm man
! agcment when he showed hv figures
from the state auditor 5 office that Dr.
! Russell without a farmer had raised
twice a. large crop Al a cost Of 500
rs was raised the first year with Il
farmer and at a cost Of $2,l00 That
the barley was still under the snow
and Sllacc corn uncut was admitted hut
because DR.. Russell S one team was
busy hauling freight and material for
the new building and also because the
doctor was confined to the house by i'll
ness and trusted that the work was
/ properly cared for
One Of the most straight forward and
emphatic witnesses was. Byron A. Rob
erts1n, civil engineer of Bellows
Falls Mr.. Robertson in his work ut
the school has visited all parts of the
farm and seen the chill frcn at work
and has absolutely no criticism to make
of their treatment. In visiting the din
ing room he has observed sufficient food
and the children seem happy aad con
tented. The rumors Mr.. Robertson
heard prompted him to take special
notice of conditions he stated.
+. II. McCulium. who lives two miles
from the school; james +. Rowe, who
cut hay ar the farm; J. A. Dow, ear
pcnter Of Brandon, and A. Il. Barnard
employe on the farm, had no criticism
10 make Of the clothing or the treat
mcnt of the feeble minded children.
Francis Renoit, who was employed at