The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1919-02-01
SECRECY For
HEARINGS IN
HOME CASE,
"Star Chamber" Policy Put
in Force at Capitol Today.
GIRLS VISIT ROBERTSON r
Escaped Inmates Taken 10
Home by Former Deputy

Official probes Of conditions exist
ing IN the State Industrial School for
Girls, which were exposed by The
Times, will he conducted in star
chamber fashion, by both house and
senate committees from now OF.
Newspaper reporters and others will
be barred from the hearings, while
witnesses and inmates OF the home
are testifying under oath.
I'VE are willing for reporters 10 20
and take look at the home. but il IS
the desire Of the committee to con-
duct its inquisitorial work in pri-
vaey." announced W., w. Robertson.
Oklahoma county representative and
head od the house committee which is
to investigate the home, following an
interview this morning with Cow
ernor Robertson.
Solons "Movs Slowly" '
Governor Robertson said he felt the
legislature. although doing the best
II could. was proceeding rather slowly
with its work in this connection, and
he said: Il may yet have to 20 out
there and spend some money to get
that institution OIL its feet and going
before the legislature takes action"
The governor reiterated that he was
leaving the way open for the le9is-
lature and would not act unless forced
to by conditions.
The governor expressed amazernent
at the fact that neither Miss Flaherty.
mairon, nor any one connected with
the home has been 70 him TO discuss
the matter with him since the expose
by The Times.
The work OF this house committee
which will be conducted behind closed
doors will be the most important OF
any that has inquired into conditions
existing in the home, for il is upon
the repor, and recommendations of
this committee, and this committee
only, that any action looking toward
impeachment OF w. ID. Mathews, COM
missioner Of charities and corrections,
will be based II rests with this COM
mittee TO say who is responsible and
who should be punished. The lmpeach-
ment charges must be preferred by
the house, the senate acting as the
trial court. or court Of impeachment.
The star chamber policy was inau-
gura,ed early this morning at the
governors office when two small
girls, Marie Dodrigs and Gladys
Naugh,. who had escaped from the
home shortly after breakfast. arrived
at the executive office and asked Tor
al interview with Governor Robert
son, SAYING they wanted TO tell him
Of conditions in the home. They
were ushered into the governors Of
flee by Henry Wood, executive secre-
,ary, and were questioned by the gov
ernor.
Newspaper men asked to be admit
ted to the interview bnt were denied
admission The girls left the capitol
in charge of Billy Witcher, former
deputy sheriff. who escorted them TO
the home.
Nothing Much" Said.
They didn't want anything, and
didn't say anything much" said the
RnNtlnoI sHOtl lllic ldt'l WHICH VIZ
cussing his interview. lie said the
girls wanted TO 60 home.
The governor said the question OF
star chamber proceedings was dis
cusSed with him BY members OF the
house committee which called upon
him. bu, he did not advise either way.
Il told them it was matter for
them to handle entirely" said the
governor, wi,hou, in,imating whether
he favored the policy OF secrecy TO he
pursued by the committee.
A, the same time, members OF the
senate committee which has been
probing the homo announced that at
their next meeting Mathews. and Dr..
Clymer, home physician, would bn
called, and while their testimony Is
being taken star chamber session
will be held
The house committee which Is at
the home today, has with 1t a man
stenographer. All witnesses will be
placed under oath and complete
transcript Of the testimony will be
made and submitted in connection