July 23, 1914
NO "CAT AND MOUSE" ACT HERE.
Katharine B. Davis, commissioner of correction for New York city, does not propose to have the discipline of the prison or the ends of justice nullified by a hunger strike on the part of the criminals. She considers such attempts as evidence of insane purpose to commit suicide, and has found authority in the statutes for committal of such persons to Matteawan. to "remain until cured." Jane Est, the anarchist, is now in the asylum under similar process, and another woman of the same type will follow if she persists in her resolve to refrain from eating in the hope of release. Commissioner Davis says:"She will be offered her food each day and also offered a chance to work. If she refuses both she will simply be kept in her cell. She appeared in good physical condition and able to go without food for 30 days. Our experience has been that in four days people who refuse food become weak enough to demand medical attention. She will be fed by a tube through her nose when the doctors decide that it is necessary. It will not hurt her. not even cause her discomfort. She will be treated as any other person. We shall not tempt her with food, but we won't run the risk of having a funeral on our hands." The "cat and mouse"' act will not work on Blackwell's island while Miss Davis holds the place of commissioner of correction.
