Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1923-05-22
SiIZer,S Prison Visit
Causes Demonstration
incidentally Visit Causes Tilt
Between Warden Hoff and
Commissioner Lewis


Silzer's surprise" visit to the state
prison here yesterday afternoon was
capitalized by group of convicts for
the purpose of making a demonstra-
tion which resulted in a tilt between
Warden Joseph S. Hoff and State
Commissioner of Institutions and
Agencies Burdette G. Lewis. The
trip down to the penitentiary was
part of the itinerary Mr.. SilZer has
mapped out for himself which will
cover an inspection of every correc-
tional, charitable and curative insti-
tuition which the state operates.
Without warning he called Warden
Hoff to the state house, advised the
latter of his intention to visit the
prison at once. invited Commissioner
Lewis along and the trio of officials
entered the institution without the
minor officials there knowing of the
coming.
Mr.. Silzer made a comprehensive
tour of the institution. He inspected
all the important parts of the prison
and came out into the prison yard
just as number of the men were
exercising One of the forward of
their number, said to be named Null
| hall and to have done time at Sing
Sing, Immediately took advantage of
the situation, by addressing Mr.. Silz-
er as your Excellency." This start
ed the demonstration.
"Three cheers for Lewis" shouted
negro convict.
The institutions commissioner rails
ed his hand to stop cheer that went
up from the followers of their bolder
companions.
Mulhall asked for an interview
with the governor. The latter con-
scented and Immediately Mr.. Silzer
was the center of a crowd of prison.
ers who all wanted to talk. 1t was
about this time that the cheer for
Lewis went up. The governor told
Mulhall he would speak to him alone
and the man, evidently the leader,
waved his comrades in penal servi-
tude to silence. After the cheering
had ceased the interview between
governor and state prisoner took
place. What transpired and what it
was all about, Mr.. Silzer did not
state.
But the whole incident ranked the
prison management and just before
the inspection was completed 1t had
it's effect in a passage of wards be-
tween Lewis and Warden Hoff. The
latter made some comment placing
the blame for the prison disturbance
upon the shoulders of the institutions
commissioner for going over the
warden's head in matters of prison
management. Lewis denied this.
YES" said Hoff, "and you heard
them cheering too. That comes from
going over my head. It's getting to
rOip+ GRO I xunn'f stand for
it."
You saw me put my hand up
to stop cheering" answered Lewis.
Both men were then tactfully re-
minded by the governor that the
public is listening" as he referred
to the neWspapermen who were ac-
companying the party on its tour.
Mr.. Silzer interviewed several
other prisoners. They had no COM
plants and the usual statement from
them was that they had received
good treatment at the hands of
Warden Hoff. The executive made
no effort to talk to Vincent Murray
who told a long story of brutal
treatment a week ago to the joint
committee of the institutions board
and the prison managers board.
Hey, governor, come in and take
a look at this meal, the beets are
mixed in with the corned beef"
shouted a man from a wing, while
another voice yelled. Throw Hoff
out" as the inspection party was
passing by wing on its way out of
the prison. No attention was paid
to this.
Mr.. Silzer saw everything includ-
ing the death house, where several
men await execution. He inspected
the various state use industries in
operation, including the making of
automobile tags for the State De-
partment of Motor Vehicles. He
learned that about 900 men are en-
ployed in the various industries. The
shoe shop containing 16,200 pairs
of shoes, with a total valuation of
.S35, 900, was included in the tour.
The party also had a look at the
new concrete manufacturing plant,
which is being constructed.