The New York herald., 1920-01-18
Commercial School

been known to get "tipsy' by snuffing
grated nutmeg, and spices in the kitchen
have to be kept securely locked up. the
need of this vigilance is more readily
understood. Hardly a move in this visit
ing room escapes Mrs. O'Gormans notice
and, anyway, Miss Walsh, a pretty stenog-
rapher stationed there, is likely to see
Anything the other attendant overlooks.
Upon the knowledge a new inmate pos
sesses of fundamental studies depends al
together whether she must go to school.
Ten per cent of those who come in are
absolutely illiterate, which is a sad com
mentary on the enforcement of the COM
pulsory education laws.
Many others have to go to a school of
primary grades to learn more of reading,
writing, arithmetic and essential studies.
For those of higher intellect there is a
commercial class which turns out book
keepers, typewriters and stenogrc piers.
Miss Carrie Winsteare, as acting principal,
heads the school and faculty. There are
classes in sewing. dressmaking and cook
ing. There are musical and dancing les
sons for worthy applicants. The prison.
Iers are also trained in rug weaving, bas-
ket making, Gaming chairs and, in some
eases. laundering. Housework is taught as
far as is possible. The reformatory has its
own farm and cattle, so those who wish to
may become skilled farmerettes or dairy
maids
There are three visiting chaplains to give
religious instruction. Just at present the
office of Protestant chaplain is vacant
and preachers are being supplied The
Rev. Father Martin A. Scanlon admin
isters to Catholics and Rabbi Jacob Tar
lau to those of Jewish faith.
The prisoners are distributed, for living
purposes, among eleven brick cottages,
which can accommodate twenty-five girls
each. Each girl has her own room. New
comers are kept, temporarily, in the re-
lception group of structures. The fractions
and rebellious individuals are lodged either
| In the disciplinary building or Rebecca
Hall. where the prison is located There
Mrs. Henrietta Hoffman, a strict matror
rules with n firm hand.
There is a hospital. equipped with q
| Laboratory and operating room, as well as
a dental parlor. Here everything is kept
| Immediately clean. There is a lot OF
medical work to be done, but there are
not many serious diseases.
! For recreation the girls are allowed tc
have piano music. singing and DANCING
I in their cottages. Occasionally they are
shown moving pictures in a suitably large
hall or enjoy a show by inmate talent
! A library supplies books that are inter
esting. wholesome and instructive.
! Each building has a matron to preserve
order. There are a few men working
AROUND tne pace lnciuuinS nanuiul ol
guards. Whenever the prisoners come In
contact anywhere or any place, with a
male attendant there is matron present
I'VE always protect our men by having
n woman attendant along with them, "
unused one woman official in emphasizing
the inviola bility OF this rule
Needs Are Indicated.
! Officials, in discussing reformatory dis
cipline. all dwell upon the fact that many
Bedford prisoners should never have been
sent there. Miss Cobb estimates that
from mental standpoint, about thirty
per cent are normal. twenty-five per cent
are mentally deficient and more properly
suited for an institution for the feeble
minded and the other forty-five per cent
: are made up or high grade morons. epi-