The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-08-27
WORKS old TRICK
State Pen Prisoner Is Given
- Usual Parole.
Said He Had Hay To Cut-And
Warden Agreed.
ASSAULTED SHAWNEE GIRL
Farmers Near Topeka Object to
His Freedom.
E. A. Bryan Home on Vacation
From Jail.

Farmers north of Topeka are not
exactly enthusiastic, over the new fam
gled reformation policies in operation
at the state penitentiary. They have
notified Governor Aliens office that
they do not approve of vacation pc
RODS for convicts and object siren
uously TO the practice of extending
temporary paroles to persons sent to
prison for crime. Complaint was
made when z. A. Bryan was permitted
to return home to cut hay which he
didn't own.
Bryan went to the penitentiary in
May. 1t is said that Kilmaurs King,
humane officer. has in his possession a
confession made by Bryan before he
was sentenced. Bryan is alleged TO
have assaulted Shawnee county girl.
He was given an indeterminate sem
tence of five to twenty-one years.
Recently Bryan came home to en-
joy rest during the hot dry spell.
Life in the state prison isn't at all
pleasant during the summer months.
There are no sleeping porches, no
electric fans, no running ice water and
no shower or tub baths in connection
with the cells. 1t is often very hot
in the cells during the summer.
Home TO Make Hay.
So Bryan is reported to have ad-
vised Warden Codding that his hay
crop needed cutting. Codding, who
had Joined with Governor Stubbs in
spending $4,000 in a fruitless effort to
induce the bedbugs to leave the
prison, is rated among the convicts as
high powered desire to make his pris-
on just as comfortable and enjoyable
as possible.
So Bryan came home
Farmers in the district today stated
that Bryan has no hay to cut. Bryan
disappeared. Several farmers are said
to have. called Judge c. w. Smith,
executive clerk in the governors Of
flee. He said he knew nothing about
the matter and didn't know whers
Bryan had gone or when he might be
expected TO return to prison for the
remainder of his term. Governor Al
lens vacation address Is Broadmoor
hotel. Colorado Springs
The temporary parole system has
been frequently applied. Each Christ
mas 1t is tried on a number of con-
victs who want to go home-some-
times men convicted of sensational.
bloody murders or assaults on young
girls. Last summer nearly 400 in
mates of the penitentiary and state re-
formatory were given temporary par
oles that they might help save the
Kansas wheat crop.
II Failed Once.
1t was during the Botkin investiga- =
tion-the days when Governor Capper
desired the removal of his arch politi-
! cal enemy, Warden Jerry d. Botkin-
/ that the temporary parole system was
4 thoroly aired. A commisSion-ap-
pointed by the governor himself
! heard the testimony. Among mem
I bers of that commission were l.. ].
! Pettijohn. present secretary of state:
James A. Troutman, of Topeka, rbr-
mer lieutenant governor; and Walter
Layton of Osborne. Republican candi-
date for lieutenant governor in 1918.
The commission voted unanimously
! against temporary paroles and advised
the governor of its stand. But IL
didn't stop the system in the least.
Now the north Shawnee county
farmers are testifying. They are won-
dering just when the slobber stage in
prison reform will cease. And they
may also be wondering just when the
legislature will be asked to appropri-
ate money that the convicts may spen d
the summer in Colorado and sleep in
washed air, rooms with private bath.
( telephone and maid service