Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-27

Everything was nnaly rumeQ by tne IN
patence If Han44noAd's lieutenant HI was
''direct actionist," always provided some one
else threw the stones for him. Waiting for the
Wardens removal by due process of an order
from Washington became irkSome, so he de-
cided to take a more expeditions route. He
prevailed upon prison simple, :" as those OF
weak will and mentality called, to obtain
some arsenic to be put in the warden'S coffee
from the prisoner who acted as clerk OF the
institutions physician. So enthusiastic did this
"priSon simple" become that when the doctors
clerk refused to give him the arsenic he stabbed
him.
The warden felt that the time had come to
take direct action. He wired to washington
for the inspector of prisons to make complete
investigation. After the report was made several
guards resigned, two or three of the worst
agitatorS were transferred to Leavenworth and
all became quiet and serene once more.
was then inspector Of prisons for the Federal
Government and made the investigation
had not been in prison work for many years
at that time and I could scarcely credit my
senses when saw and talked with Hammond
and his librarian lieutenant. 1t was almost
impossible to believe that two such delicate
IntelectualS could maintain leadership over the
Enurderers, thugs, yeggmen and general assort-
Snent of constituencies, reSourceful and de-
termined men who constituted the bulk OF their
followers. 1 would not be nearly so surprised
today. But I am still just as puzzled as to how
such apparent weaklngS can get and retain
mastery over men apparently their super1ors
in every quality of leadership.
Leadership in prison by men of this type is,
Of course, far from being the rule. Generally
speaking, physical courage and reputation Tor
q superior quality of all around badness
dominate in the penitentiary. Men of the type
who led the recent spectacular riot in the
Colorado State prison in Canon City are typical
of those who rule in practically every prison
and county Jail throughout the land. where
brute strength is fetish and "a kick in either
III 1o rIocir OIL fhoV1 rip
It is not so much that men like Daniels and
Purdue the leaders of the Colorado riot, have
any particular genius for leadership 1t Is
simply that large numbers OF the other
prisoners, the majority Of whom are weaklings,
mentally or physically are afraid not TO join
them
1T is doubtful il fourth Of the $50 men in
the beleaguered dollhouse at Canon City
wanted to be there. They would infinitely have
preferred to be somewhere elSe. But under
the domination of Daniels and Purdue they
carried on the battle for II hours Under
their direction they burned the chapel mess
hail and two celIhOuseS Under their instruc-
tons they sent ultimatumS that the 10 guards
held as hostages would be murdered unless
automobiles were Immediately provided for q
general delivery-and then looked on while
four of the guards were shot down in cold
blood one after another, and their bodies tossed
out of the dollhouse window with renewed
ultimatums. It was not until Daniels and
Purdue and three of the other ringleaders,
realizing that all hope was lost, ended their
lives that the riot was broken.
There are men like Daniels and Purdue
dominating every priSon-cool, cold-booded,
calculating and elf-seeking Scoundrels. Almost
invariably these men scrupulously obey all the
prison rules-until they are ready for the "big
move" They are respectful to the officers, do
their work satisfactorily, never complain about
ANYTHING generally conduct themselves
way that leaves nothing to be desired. It is
the second and third raters in convict society
Gus ing vice instead of virtue the desirable
standardD who keep penal institutions in daily
ferment by constantly breaking the rules, COM
planning and agitating. They are usually the
younger men, still on the lower rungs of the
underworld ladder who want to establish
reputation for being bad men, in the eyes
of their associates. Men like Daniels and
Purdue do not need such tricks to show their
toughness. They know they will be able TO
prove it when emergency arises.
Red" Moran, recently electrocuted at Sing
Sing for the cold-blooded murder Of two police
men, was typical Illustration Of this desire
of the young crook for fame" When Moran
was brought out to exercise in the bull pen"
at the Raymond street jail, in Brooklyn, the
warden noticed that he did not walk around
as the other prisoners did, but remained near
the receiving department, where new prisoners
were brought in. The warden concluded that
he wanted to be pointed out to the newcomers
Ns "'Red' Moran, the cop killer" SO Moran
was removed to the young boys department.
This broke his heart. He Sulked during the
remainder of his stay there, refusing to have
anything to do with the younger boys, none
of whom had to his credit the murder of two
policemen.
= But speaking generally the real menaces, the
The Daniels and the Purdues who fit quietly
into the prison machine and violate none Of