Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-11-07
WARDEN BURKE's REPORT.
He Asks for Additional Cells and suGxes
Means of Keeping Small Bow Away


II. Asks for Additional Cells and Suggests
Means of Keeping Small Doys Away.
Tho report OF J. r. Burke. warden of the
United States Jail. 'or the year ending October
81, 1892. has been submitted to the Attorney
General
In presenting this report the opportunity is
given me TO renew the recommendations made
by me In my annual reports for 1880 and 1891
for Improvements and repairs which consider
necessary to be made for the security and
health Of the officers and prisoners and the
preservation Of the building. and respectfully
urge the absolute necessity for some i'm
mediate action by Congress by which
authority may be had for the ex-
penditure OF a sufficient sum Of money
to provide the Jail with four new steam
boilers, the construction Of at least sixty
four additional cells on the upper or fifth floor
OF the two wings, the repair of the roof and
other minor improvements The plans, speci-
fications. estimates of cost, &C., should be pre-
pared at once and the whole Of the improve
ments superintended by q competent person.
To this end would suggest that, IL the con-
templated legislation can be had, the architect
of the Capitol be designated in the act rs the
person to be permanently in charge Of improve
ments and repairs which are now needed and
others that lkoly to follow from time to
time.
IMMEDIATE LEGISLATION NEEDED.
have no doubt but that 1t will appear to you,
a IL does to me, that the conditions here are
such as to make it very necessary to attempt to
secure the needed in the second session
Of the Fifty-second Congress, otherwise another
whole year will intervene before q possible
chance will be had TO relieve us Of increasing
dangers from badly worn boilers, from danger
OF disease breaking out bv reason of the crowded
condition OF the Jail, and the destruction of the
building by the elements for want Of much
needed repairs to the roof. That the matter
may be presented to Congress in proper shape
in the hope Of securing the legislation needed
during the sitting Of the second session Of the
present Congress I beg to suggest that the
architect Of the Capitol be invited to make an
inspection or survey Of the building. estimate
the probable cost and submit the same TO you
with recommendations in time for you to for
ward the same to Congress with any recon-
mendations YOU NAV see fit to make.
The constantly increasing demand for room
for the proper care and handling Of prisoners
has been q source of some ANNOYANCE to myself
and assistants, and to none more than DIR.
McWilliams, the Jail physician. who expressed
md showed much uneasiness because Of the
continued crowded condition of the Jail during
the whole OF the year, well our close
proximity to the smallpox hospital, which
ought not be permitted to be occupied and
stand where it does for the purpose intended
longer than it would take to destroy it by fire.
THE SMALLPOX HOSPITAL
II persons with contagious diseases are
treated there almost sure to have the
contagion reach the Jail. This has several
times been the case. Those Of our prisoners
so afflicted would of a necessity be sent to the
pest house. IL they lived to become conval-
escent they would make their escape from the
hospital hide among their friends in the city with
the hope of escaping from being returned to
the Jail, and in this way inoculatc the whole
city. II this be true the whole city is as much
interested in this particular the en-
ployes of the Jail and their families.
DIR. McWilliams. will be seen BY
his report herewith attached, has taken
all the precautions known to the pro-
fession to protect as far possible this in
stitution and the community from a spread Of
the smallpox from the one case now being
treated in the smallpox hospital. No one knows
better, perhaps, than does DIR. McWilliams the
danger from overcrowding Of prisoners its
dangerous effect. &c. and which has been forced
upon us to a greater extent this wear than at
any other time in the history of this jail will
be seen by reference to the accompanying ia
b.es showing the number Of prisoners received
at the Jail during the year, the daily average &C.
SMALL BOYS IN JAZZ.
No record is kept Of their respective ages but
if one had been it would show that the increase
is due, in measure, to an increased number
of boys committed, some Of very tender age.
1t is noticed that this class is on the increase,
and the physician in his report but expresses
the opinion Of the other officers Of the Jail. In
connection with this may be pardoned for sug-
costing the advisability Of requiring the teachers
In public schools to bring to the attention Of
their pupils the statutes and ordinances
in force in the District Of Columbia forbid
ing the commission Of certain misdomeanors
which are made punishable by fines and
penalties In this connection let me refer to
IAN act for the preservation of the public
peace. ac.,' passed by Congress and approved
July 90, 1892. Among other things that act
forbids the throwing Of stones or other mis-
sIles in any street under a penalty Of not more
than IS for every offense. 1t also forbids the
flying of kites or fire balloons within the limits
Of Washington and Georgetown under penalty
Of not more than $40. The same act forbids
the use OF profane language or engaging in dis
orderly conduct under a penalty of not ex-
ceeding s25 for each offense. 1t also makes 1t
unlawful to cause dogs to sight or cause them
to run after. bark at. brighten or bite any per-
son or animal 1t forbids in any manner an
injury to the trees growing in the District Of
Columbia; the kindling Of bonfres is also for
hidden. But few children know anything con-
corning these and similar laws. If brought to
their attention il would save MANY parents and
children much trouble. The requisite infor-
nation could be easily obtained BY our school
trustees and placed in possession of the teachers
visable, and thus to some degree avoid the an
noyance incident to the arrest and prosecution
Of children for petty ofenses.
/ take great pleasure in reporting the fidelity
and energy manifested by all the officers and
employees attached to this institution.