New Britain herald., 1929-07-30

Albany. N. Y, July 30 P- of savage rioting in Clinton and Auburn prisons, staged almost a week apart, today stood Governor Roosevelt's questioning of the state S whole system of penology and the declaration of other officials that the outbreaks were to be expected due to overcrowding.
 Close observers of the tense situ- ation growing out Of the convicts' orgies thought it significant that both Governor Roosevelt and Ray mond F. c. kieb, commissioner of corrections, brought up the theory that the workings of the so-called Baumes long sentence" laws re- suited in the feeling of bitterness" on the part of prisoners, causing them to flare up into open mutiny.
 Roosevelt Outlines Plan
 Governor Roosevelt outlined three steps to be taken to meet the situ- ation. One of them was more study of the system of penology especially of the Baumes laws, and punishments. The others were: Correct the present physical con dition of the prisons" and see that there are no further outbreaks or if there are, to see that there is no destruction of property, or es- capes."
 In his statement the governor re- vealed that he is working out a sys- tenn of military preparedness 10 handle possible future riots. With no national guards units immediate ly available for use at Dannemora in case of further disorders. the gov ernor planned to circumvent formal ity of securing aid from federal forces at Plattsburg barracks by having the postmaster ask for these troops through their commandant on the ground that government property-the Dannemora post of- fice-is in danger.
 Would Train Militia
 Other features of the plan con- template the special training of mll'- tia in the Auburn and Ossning sec tions for prison emergencies.
 Touching on the Baumes law, the governor, in his statement, said: They may be all right as a deter rent to crime, but all wrong as o the prisoners sentenced under theE. There is much to be said on both sides"
 The sentencing of persons for long terms flor crimes against property and not against persons has a ten- uenCy to make an individual feel hitterer than if he were sentenced for a crime against persons.
 MT. Roosevelt issued his statement after receiving the official report on the Dannemora outbreak from Com missioner Kieb. The mutiny cost the state S172,467, he said.
 "Attention mas frequently been called" Dr. Kieb wrote, ito the fact that the mental atmosphere of the correctional institutions had changed materially during recent years, anc that the attitude of the prisoners had shown a material change There has been an evident feeling of dis content and unrest which undoubt- edly is partially explained by the iong sentences received; a tightening up of the parole system and the reception of large number of men with life sentences, as we'll as the abolition of compensation which carried a remission of time for an industrial work record.'
 Warden's Work Laudcd
 The report lauded the warden, ad- ministratve officers and guards at Clinton prison for the admirable manner iu which they handled this trying situation" and felt that the state troopers, should be commend ed for the assistance
 "1 regret this unfortunate epi- sode, but knowing the facts associai : ed with the problems of housing of correctional wards, and, more par | ticularly the situation in Clinton prison, it is my personal opinior that the unfortunate episode coHlC not have been prevented and thal