The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1919-11-20
Secretary of State Board Of
Charities Tells Amaz-
ing Facts
RAPS TOWN FARM
IN BRATTLEBORO
No Bath Tub Available for Inmates,
Who Take Water to Rooms in Pals
-Bedbugs Still There, but Condi-
tions Are Improved.

The second meeting OF the season Of
the Baptist Mems Union was held last
evening in the social rooms of the church
and brought large attendance to hear
the burning words of the speaker OF the
evening, William H. Jeffrey, secretary OF
the state board of charities and probation.
a musical program by the Bible school
orchestra of Is pieces, which gave two
numbers, Mrs. Brownell, who sang twice,
and Ernest Gustafson, who also sang,
served 10 enthuse the audience of men in
the musical wealth of the church and was
followed by the introduction OF the speak
er OF the evening by his friend and Brat
tleborois honored citizen, Judge (. l..
7 Waterman
| Mr.. Jeffrey. with no attempt at oratory,
rlveted the attention of his bearers while
he talked familiarly of his work into which
Z he IS putting his life and whole soul.
Statistics are dry things, but in this
they were appalling. Over 600 men are
under his care as prohationers, that is,
persons who have been found guilty OF
various crimes and sentenced under the
law, but who, under extenuating circum-
4
of the board and allowed their liberty dur
ing good behavior Among these are 50
burglars, Is forgers, % for larceny, 50,
or more for breach of the peace, Is muir
derers IN the second degree and even two
in the first degree, with many others, for
whose supervision he is held responsible
and with whom he is periodically in touch.
incidentally he said that these people, in
stead OF becoming a public charge of S7o,-
Coo annually had been able TO care for l,
L GOO otherwise dependent persons, and dur
ing one year had earned more than hall
: million dollars.
He declared that the secretary was not
: a prosecuting officer but was the "big
brother" Of his charges, and this was GER
: tainly evidenced strongly by his simple
relation of various experiences over the
e state. with apparently no intention oil
: self laudation
t Mr. Jeffrey's statements Of individual
. cases all over the state. and especially IN
a remote country districts, was terrific In
r dietment OF the immortality among the
: men of the state and the abuse of womer
and even girls of l3 or II years Of age
breeding as II does conditions which car
/, only make for the pulling down OF Yer
n mont's social structure, OF which in for
?. mer years she has been Justly proud.
nj His scorching indictment OF conditions
O in the care of the poor of the state. no
: excepting Brattleboro, led many to fee
v that there is much to be done in th'
e amelioration of their lot.
5. The topic of the evening and its candle
discussion cannot fail to do good. 4 but
fet luncheon with the accompanying op
portunity for sociability was much en-
loved
ol Mr. Jeffreyis reference to Brattlebort
was TO the town farm. which he visites
some time ago, and he said that thert
e. was but one bath tub on the place
IN which was in the superintendent quar-
k. tiers and naturally not available for in
a. mates. and that there was so mucl
ed company that the inmates could no
it sleep nights.
So BY company Mr.. Jeffrey had in min
Continued on Page 6.