Evening star., 1939-06-15
Dr.. Smith 10 Tell
About Parole
Problems
Ousted School Head
Expected to Finish
Testimony Today

DR.. Carrie Weaver Smith, ouSted
superintendent of the National
Training School for Girls, was eX-
pected to conclude her direct testi-
mony in defense of her regime at a
public hearing before the District
Commissioners late today
Indicating that she intended to
talk mainly about the problems of
parole and her connection with the
Board of Public Welfare when the
hearings resumed this afternoon,
DR.. Smith said III do my best to
finish my testimony"
She complained. however, that
since the Commissioners had heard
"a witnesses testify against her, she
couldn't see why there should be
a limit on my time" She hoped
there would be opportunity later for
her to sum up"
DR.. Smith, who demanded the
public hearings after her summary
dismissal in october, 1887, was going
into great detail to deny charges
that she had taken excess time off
duty, when yesterdays hearing
ended.
Explains Her Policy.
II submit under oath that I never
worked as long hours, never got up
as early or worked as late, nor as
long without rest in any institution
as I did at National Training
School," she declared.
Explaining her philosophy of deal
ing ''leniently and affectionately"
with institutionalized persons, Dr.
Smith related the only incident 'in
all my experience" in which she
was personally attacked by girl.
The girl inmate had violated rules
on smoking. She was called in by
DR.. Smith and ordered to remove
a cigarette from her mouth, but re-
fused.
In snatching the cigarette from
the girls mouth, DR.. Smith said
her own fingernail accidentally cut
the girls lip, whereupon the girl
struck her on the face. Imme-
diately, however, the girl said she
wouldn't have hit DR.. Smith ''for
the world"
After talking the matter over,
with mutual apologies for the phys
ical damage done, DR.. Smith said
the girl left, in peaceful mood.
But, she added, the violence on the
part of the girl had been 'justi-
fed" She told the incident, she
said, to show her disbelief in the
use of force, generally, except
where absolutely necessary.
Ordered Doors Unlocked.
Her order to unlock the doors
OF the girls rooms at night. as a
precaution against disaster in case
of fire. had the approval of FL
wood Street, former director of
Public Welfare, DR.. Smith testified.
When DR.. Smith attempted to 60
back to 1888, prior to her adminis-
tration, to picture difficulties facing
the institution then, Corporation
Counsel Oliver Gasch objected, de-
claring this was going too far
afield."
She challenged previous charges
that administration of the school
was worse" after she had taken
over.
When DR.. Smith questioned the
presence of Miss Jean Bromley of
the staff of the school at the hear
ing. sitting next to Mr.. Gasch, he
replied that Miss Bromley is here
to advise me as to your testimony"
DR.. Smith related several Incl
dents to show, she claimed, that
she had given personal attention
to problems of the institution, even
to personally disciplining the girls,
and had not, as charged, simply
sat in her office to play chess and
smoke" She held up six yellow
sheets Of paper which she said were
full of instances to prove her
discipline.
Outlining her policy, which she
Is defending in the hearing, DR..
Smith declared the fundamental
point is the spirit of leniency, which
is the foundation of all discipline.
politicians" Mentioned.
The case of Miss Agnes Scanlon,
who had been transferred from su-
pervising matron to the post of su-
pervisor of the dining room and
kitchen, transfer which DR.. Smith
said was agreeable to Mr.. Street, led
to discussion in the hearing of ''in-
reference" by Senators and poll
ticlans" from Maryland. Miss Scan
lon had objected to the transfer, DR..
Smith said, and took advantage of
all sorts of things" but was not dis
missed.
Under one type of worker there
was very little trouble" DR.. Smith
testified, "but under another one op-
posed to the system I was trying to
put into effect, there was very great
trouble"