The sun., 1919-03-27
MANY SEEK MOVERS
POST AT sing sing
Scramble Results When It Is
Announced Warden Will
Step Out April 10.
MOLLOY rs WE'LL BACKED
Prison Head Has Three Places
to Award, With Numerous
Applicants for Them.

William II. Meyer, for more than two
years agent and warden Of Sing Sing
prison, confirmed yesterday in an inter-
view an unoficial report that he had
resigned and gave as his reason that he
desired to give Charles r. Rattigan,
Superintendent Of Prisons, a free hand to
name his own wardens.
Tho hrst announcement that Mr..
Meyer would step out April Is precipi-
tated a scramble yesterday not alone
for his place but three rotary jobs the
warden 10 empowered to fill--superin-
tendent Of industries at $500 q year.
confidential clerk at s1,75o and assistant
clerk at $500. ..-,
Prison reformers, led by Thomas Mott
Osborne. former warden. who enthusiasts
tically supported Gov. Smith last cleo
ton after he declared for more liberal
prison management, are exertins pres
sure upon the Albany offloials to have an
out. and out prison reformer appointed.
The Westchester county Democrats are
advancing three candidates, led by James
H. Moran. independent Democrat and
publisher Of the Democratic Register Of
OssininE.
1T believe the Superintendent of
Prisons should have a free hand" said
Mr.. Meyer, Ito name his own wardens.
So informed him on February 10 that
he could accept my resignation any time.
He wrote me March 20 saying he had
decided to have it take effect April 15."
Meyers Plans Are Undecided.
. The warden. who will lease a home
in Ossining. said he has no plans con-
corning what he will. do hereafter.
When asked II the Democrats had
have him vacate the job he declined to
discuss the matter.
Both inmates and attendants of Sing
Sing were satisfied Immediately after
Gov Whitman was declared defeated for
reelection that Mr.. Meyer. a Republican,
would 60. silk Hat Harry" White, a
trusty in the wardens household. 80
named because he robbed rich homes
while wearing a tall silk hat, brilliantly
hailed news OF Gov. Smiths victory on
election night. When asked to explain
what he meant by spplauding q Demo-
cratic victory in the home Of q Republi.
can warden White retorted:
Well, Gov. Whitman never ala any
treated in prison t1
Many politicians are backing John j.
Molloy, who gave up his prison lob
after Warden Meyer reduced him In
rank. Performers, though. are oppostne
Molloy because OF the differences he had
with Judge Roy and a Brooklyn Grand
Jury that investigated ex-warden Nc.
corntick. afterward removed. Molloy
was locked up in trying to shieid Nc
Cornick and David A. Sullivan. the bank
wrecksr. who spent part OF his prison
sentence out motoring.
Three "Reforms" Meyers object.
Warden Meyer took charge OF Sing
Sing December I. 1916. succeeding Cal
win Derrick. He set out to do three
things-stop escapes, curb the Mutual
Welfare League and keep Sing Sing out
of the newspapers.
Because OF fear OF being picked up
as draft slackers or being caught by
the many armed soldiers and sailors
guarding public works near the prison,
only two prisoners ever tried to beat"
Sing Sing proper. Seven OF Meyers
charges. however, fed from Sing Sing
farm. but most OF them were recap
tured eventually.
Mr.. Meyer curtailed the leagues privi-
leses until 1t Is now virtually dead. In
fact three months ago the warden for
bade the prisoners to hold the semi-an-
nual popular election.