Evening star., 1955-01-23
Prison Siege Probe
Seeks 10 Learn How
4 Conyicis GOT Guns
~ me Assoeiatsd Press

BOSTON, Jan. 22.-Several
investigations were under way
today to learn the answers to a
number of questions after the
end Of q 3la-day siege by four
rebel convicts at the Massachu-
sets State Prison.
The four convicts surrendered
meekly yesterday to the persua-
sions Of a seven-man citizens
committee. When they quit their
desperate try for freedom they
gave up their guns and freed the
i've hostage guards and six other
inmates held against their will.
Oficials sought to learn how
the men got guns; where they
obtained saws to cut cell bars,
and how it happened that they
roamed freely outside the iso-
lated cell block for three hours
before barricading themselves.
Face Long Sentences.
Meanwhile, Attorney General
George Fingold said they would
press for maximum sentences.
up to 40 years each. against the
quartet on charges including
kidnapping, illegal possession of
firearms and holding guards as
hostages.
The first two charges carry
maximum sentences of 10 years
each. The maximum penalty
for holding hostage is 20 years.
Mr.. Fingold said speedy trials
for the men will be sought. He
added that they'll all be heard
by March 15."
Deputy Warden Perley Vance
disclosed the convicts had dug
through the concrete floor dur
ing their siege. He said the
digging went on from Tuesday
morning. when they began their
stubborn resistance, through
Thursday.
Water FoiIs Escape.
Mr.. Vance said the rebels
struck water Thursday. It was
then. he said. that they decided
to make peace.
They would have made their
escape" he said. IF they'd had
their plans laid out
He said the original plan called
for them to climb to the prison
roof on a makeshift ladder and
then scramble up the inclined
roof to the wall.
The deputy warden said that
three of the four rioters, during
the surrender negotiations. left
their barricade cell block to go
to the prison library at / am.
Friday.
Editor Hears Citizens.
He said the trio conferred with
the citizens committee, headed
by Erwin d. Canham. editor the
Christian Science Monitor.
The three were bank robber
Theodore Teddy Green, 80,
ringleader in the attempted es-
cape; gunman Walter Balben.
38. and robber Joseph A. Flah-
erty. 80.
They left behind Fritz Sven
sen, 81. slayer of a policeman.
Presumably If the three had not
returned to the Cherry Hill cell
block, Swensen could have car
ried out the gangs threat to
retaliate against the hostage
guards.
Escape Method Revealed.
Deputy Warden Vance also
disclosed how the four convicts
got out of their cells by saving
two one-inch bars in their cell
by saving two one-inch bars in
doors.
After oyerpowering two guards
on duty in the Cherry Hill cell
block. Mr.. Vance said, the con-
victs broke out the main door Of
the block and attempted to es-
cape over the roof of the north
wing.
But they couldn't make it
over the steep roof. which is
slate" the deputy said.
Roaming the prison yard be-
tween and 4 am, they broke |
into a machine shop tool locker
and also obtained six tear gas
billies. which, with two pistols, a |
32-caliber revolver and q Is
caliber automatic. were turned
over to the negotiating commit
tee at the surrender. 1t was a
mystery where they got the
pistols.
Hostages Treated Well.
Eugene T. Wills, one of the
five guards taken prisoner. to-
night told how the rebel con-
victs threatened him and the
other hostages. Mr.. Wills. who