The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-07-03
COMMISSIONERS
MAKE NO MOVE
TO cure EVILS
Majority Faction Ignores
Recommendation for
0uSting Head.
CHARGE MlSTREATMENT
Shearer Alone FaVOrS Re-
moVaI of Carter,
Superintendent.
CHARGE MISTREATMENT
BY SHELDON KEY

Grand jury charges OF miStreat-
ment OF inmates and mismanage-
ment, which constitute an indirect
demand for dismissal Of John Car
ter, superintendent Of the Marion
county poor farm, apparently were
given little attention today by
county commissioners.
With two commissioners smiling
at the charges, which they passively
term Gust another grand jury re-
port," 1t appeared efforts Of third
member Of the board to Gust Carter
might be blocked
The jury in its final report to
Special Judge L. Ert Slack in Grim
inal court late Thursday criticised
operation Of the poor farm.
One juryman, Norman B. Hamil-
ton, said they had considered di-
rectly demanding Carter's dismissal,
but decided the jury had no legal
right to do this. We hope commits
sioners will see what we are driving
at. though"
Jurors reported "the inmates Of
the county infirmary appear to live
In q state of fear rather than con-
tentment."
When George Handlon, SO, inmate
suffering from a severe case of tub
erculosis, complained to the grand
jury that the poor farm superin-
tendent had beaten him with hoe
few days ago, farm authorities had
him arrested and sent to prison.
handlon was sentenced to serve
$50 days st the Indiana state farm
on charge Of drawing deadly
weapon on q poor farm attendant
After reading the jury's complaint
that the morale and spirit Of in
mates could be improved by more
generous and friendly attitude on
the part of management and en-
ployes," George Snider, president of
the board of commissioners, re-
marked.
"Well, they will have to prove to
me that those conditions exist. We
have had some complaints, too,
from a lot of buns out there at
the farm, but we are not paying
any attention to them"
Shearer for New Head
Dow Vorhies, Democratic COM
missioner, took the same position
as Snider, stating "it Is not such a
bad report after ALL"
John Shearer, third commission
er, declared: IT think 1t is good
report, and believe that we should
have O new head at the poor farm"
The grand jury recommended the
aged and decrepit mems building at
the infirmary be torn down and
other means provided for housing
the male inmates.
Conditions in this building, where
dozens are sleeping on cold floors
and scores Of aged men have moth
ing except hardened straw beds,
have been reviewed in disclosures
by The Times during the last year.
Food Is Scored
Food served to inmates also re-
ceived severe criticism from the
jury.
1.-THE grand jury is astounded to
find that eggs have not been served
since Easter Sunday, especially in
view of the low costs and their
value as food" the report declared.
Charges that produce raised on
the farm is given away gratis" to
the homogeneous friends instead OF
being served to inmates, were in
cluded in the report.
The six jurors who were released
from service following their re-
port, spent several days at the in
firmary reviewing conditions.
Betterments Blocked
Several attempts have been made
during the past twelve years to
change conditions at the farm.
Efforts of commissioners to get
a $4,000 bond issue to build new
mems quarters in 1890 were halted
by refusal OF the county council.
The new Democratic council also
refused q similar appropriation.
Thorough investigation by The
Times year ago revealed over
crowded and extremely inSanitary
conditions at the infirmary. Inmates
are crowded into narrow halls, given
little attention and forced to sleep
under insanitsry and unhealthful
circumstances.
Although stating "the morale of
inmates at the Julietta insane hos
pital is good" the jury criticised
sections of the mems wing as be
ing inSanitary."
Slack Praises Report
The county jail was found in good
condition except cells on the lower
floor are crowded and poorly ven
tilated," the report stated.
The jury requested that commits
sioners take steps to build new
juvenile detention home and rec
commendde the county, taking its
Institutions as a whole, should ar
range for better facilities in caring
for its unfortunates.
Judge Slack praised work of the
Jury, declaring, your report is
fearless one. 1t should produce
some very good results" Members
of the jury were: Harry A. Ryan,
foreman: Montrey Percifleld, Emil
Dietz, Norman B. Hamilton, Howard
Tol,pcor1 and Albert Smith