The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-04-25
Cooper Refuses to Accede
to ConviCtS' Demands
for Removal.
DEATH TOLL UP TO 321
Tension at Columbus Jail
Lessons; Prisoners Are
Still Vehement.
BY HARRY w. SHARPE
United Press staff Correspondent

COLUMBUS, o., April 25.-ReaS-
surfing calm settled over the state
penitentiary today for the first time
since Monday nights cell block fire,
which cost 321 lives.
Tension among 1900 prisoners in
white CITY," who have refused to
observe prison discipline until War
den P. E. Thomas is removed, was
lessening and they marched in or
derby fashion to breakfast this
morning.
The men still we're insistent that
Thomas resign, but they were less
vehement and some of them volun-
teered to return to work in contrast
to threats of open revolt Thursday.
Few COnvicts Are, Unruly
Conditions were so quiet that Col
onel Robert Haubrich, in charge of
troops guarding the penitentiary,
said his forces would be reduced to
one battalion of five companies, 200
less than were on duty Thursday
night.
A few convicts were unruly for
time on Thursday night, but ap-
parently wearied of pickering and
with nerves frayed. most of them
retired to their cells to sleep.
They handed down another uIti-
matum demanding Thomas removal
but action, If any, will be delayed
until Saturday or Monday after
Governor Cooper receives Attorney
General Gilbert Bettman'S report on
the disaster.
Governor to Support Thomas
Thomas has refused to resign be-
cause, there is no reason why I
should" and it was int = ated that
unless Bettman'S inquiry develops
evidence of gross negligence, the
Governor will support him.
Bettman resumed his probe this
morning and officials meantime were
preparing to transfer $50 convicts
to other prisons, relieving the con-
gestion in the oyercrowded peni-
tertiary.
The death toll in the penitentiary
fire was raised to 321 today with
the death of Alvin Bartezko. q,
sent up from Clark county to serve
ten to twenty-five years for burg
larry. He died from pneumonia SUI
perinduced by smoke and exposure
On Passive Campaign
Through a spokesman, the priS
onerS announced they had resolved
upon a campaign of passive resist
ance. They submitted new list Of
demands Thursday night, coupled
with note which indicated they
would attempt no new outburSt if
the demands were granted.
The official investigating COM
mittee, headed by Attorney General
Gilbert Bettman, worked until mid
night questioning prison officials
and convicts, but nothing was dis
covered that would fix either cause
or responsibility for the fire which
killed 321 inmates.
Rule Is Tyrannical
Bettman and Father Albert
OBrien, Catholic chaplain at the
prison, agree with the convicts that
Warden Thomas should be removed,
but when the encouragement went
to Governor Cooper Thursday with
such a demand, the Governor re-
fused 1t.
Several prisoners have testified at
the investigation that Thomas rule
at the penitentiary is SO tyrannical
that there we're men at the prison
who should have been released years
ago, but who are imprisoned beyond
their terms because Of having in
CURED the warden's displeasure.
One of the puniShmentS at the
prison, convictS testified, consists of
stripping convicts and forcing them
TO stand beneath icy cold showers.