Evening star., 1938-08-23
AUTOPS|ES FIND
4CONV|CTS DIED
Of SUFFOCAT|0N
Coroner BIames Officials of
Prison for Deaths of
Hunger Strikers.
WATER, VAPOR OR GAS
SEEN POSSIBLE CAUSE
Microscopic Examinations Are
Planned-4 Probes Launched
in Philadelphia Case.
pictures on Page Az


by the Associated Press.
PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 23-Autop-
sizes today revealed suffocation caused
the deaths of four hunger striking
inmates of the Philadelphia County
prison.
Coroner Charles H. Hersch, blaming
prison officials for the deaths, said he
would make microscopic examinations
Ito determine whether the suffocation
was induced by water, vapor, gas or
any other cause"
AS autopsies began, the coroner said:
mo matter what they show. the re-
sponsibility lies with officers of the
prison.
He did not name the officials to
whom he referred.
Coroner HerSch assumed charge of
the investigation after declaring the
men were scalded to death He said
he was not satisfied with any of the
stories have heard"
Deputy Coroner Vincent Moranz
said he and the coroner would inter-
view prisoners privately and IF neces-
sary he will interview the entire prison
population"
A 110-year-old law and a l29-year-
old Supreme Court decision were cited
by Coroner Hersch as authorities for
him to direct the investigation.
Hands Shriveled.
Earlier, the coroner said: There is
no question but these men met their
deaths by scalding. Their hands were
shriveled. indicating immersion in hot
water or steam"
Warden William B. Mills said he
could not contradict the coroner, but
could not see how scalding could have
taken place.
We certainly used no steam or hot
water on the men," he said, "and
there are no steam or hot water pipes
in the building in which they were
confined"
Meanwhile, at least four investiga-
tions got under way.
State Secretary of Welfare Charles
I. Engard sent two special investiga-
tors to the institution at Holmesburg
with orders to get to the bottom"
OF the hunger strike, which resulted
in the four being placed in punish
ment cells, where their bodies we're
found yesterday.
They were among more than 500
prisoners who had refused to eat in
protest against a 'monotonous" diet
OF hamburger and spaghetti. Discov-
cry of the bodies came after a night
during which, Warden Mills said, some
20 convicts in the punishment cells
had been fighting among themselves.
DR.. Morton crane. the coroner's
physician, declared the men had died
violently.
L am Of the opinion that scalding
water somehow got into their cells"
he said. "All four exhibited the
symptoms of nasal congestion that
is typical OF death by gas, steam or
hot water.
There were also bruises and abra-
sions-and by abrasions I mean
bruises where the skin Is ripped off,
and they still showed clots of blood.
That would indicate clearly to me
that they were beaten before being
scalded to death"
Judge Harry S. McDevitt of the
Common Pleas Court, who had sought
to aid in settling the hunger strike,
said he was told the prisoners broke
steam pipes in their cells to use them
for weapons. thus permitting steam
to drive into the cells.
Fought for Hours.
Detective Sergt. Martin Curran of
the city police expressed belief the
men died of "overexertion, exhaustion
and undernourishment' after hours OF
fighting among themselves.
The four prisoners occupied adjoin-
ing cells. With them were two others,
both unharmed. Investigators offered
no explanation of the way they es-
capped. Sergt. Curran said they told
him they hid" during the fighting.
The dead are James McQuade, 26,
serving 18 months to years for as
sault; Frank Comodeca, alias Edward
Hayes, 46, 10 to 20 years for robbery;
Joseph John Walters, long-termer
described as incorrigible, and Henry
Osborne, %, 10 to 20 years for robbery.