Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-06

passed in that behalf.
1T was conceded by the United States
that portions of squares 63, 50, 129 and 14s.
over which the tide ebbed ard flowed at
the time the work of reclamation began
and which had been filed up by the govern
ment in the prosecution of that work, were
private property.
THE court held that in respect to such
property the owners were entitled to COM
pensation, ard ordered further reference TO
the examiner to take testimony in regard
to ownership and value, exclusive OF the
value of any Improvements made by or
under the authority of the United States
Testimony has been taken under the order
of reference ana submitted to the court
which has not yet acted thereon.
Jail, District of Columbia.
The Jail In the District of Columbia is
now in excellent condition. A number or
needed minor charges and repairs have
been made, by means of which the cook-
ing and heating facilities have been great
" improved and the labor OF conducting
the institution In many ways reduced. By
reason of favorable contracts for supplies
and the careful supervision OF accounts
by this department, with the cooperation
of the warden and Jail officials, the eX-
penses of subsistence have been conSid-
erabiy reduced, though no complaint can be
made as to the quantity or quality or the
food.
II desire to invite attention to the neces-
sity for additional room for female prlS-
oners, the present quarters being wholly
Inadequate. Former reports have urged
this necessity and recommended the cree
ton of an additional wing for this pur-
pose. If this is deemed inexpedient at inns
time it Is suggested that an upper floor
in the rear of the jail, at present unused.
might be made available and the requisite
cell accommodate TONS completed at com
paratively small cost To the end that the
crowded condition of that portion Of the
Jail be relieved as soon as possible, re.
spectfully recommend an appropriation or
So, 900, or SO much thereof as may pc neces-
sary, for remodeling the space referred 10
and providing the necessary cell rooms for
female prisoners.
Il would also repeat the recommended
tions made relative to the building OF
wall around the jail Enclosure. 1t is great
ly needed and would add much to the Sc
curity and appearance of the institution
During the year ending October 81, 1879,
. HI prisoners were committed TO JAN.
with daily average of BOG. The details
concerning them, showing ofenSes commit
ted, ETC., are given in the warden's report
herewith.
Reform School, District of Columbia.
The report of the board of trustees Of
the reform school of the District of Column
bia shows that at the beginning of the last
fiscal year there were in the school 2Oi
boys; there were received during the year
liza total of 3l; as against 80 for the
previous year. Fifty-three of those re-
ceived were committed by the Police Court
and Ii by the Supreme Court of the Dis
trict of Columbia, - by United States
courts outside of the District, and Il by
the president of the board of trustees.
There were discharged during the year
6S by order of the trustees, by eXpira-
tlcn of sentence Omitted States courts, q
by order of court change of sentence), l
by pardon, and escaped and are still alb
sent leaving in the school June So 1919,
ri There were no deaths during the year,
and the general health of the inmates has
been and is good.
1.-The trustees say they have for years
been of the opinion that the discharge from
the school should be limited, not absolute,
and that Congress should be asked to pro-
vide by legislation for such control by the
beard of trustees of the boys after DIS
charge as Will enable it to reclaim and re-
turn to the school any boy wno by his bad
conduct shows himself amenable to recon-
mtment.' They state that bill on this
subject was favorab1y reported to the
House of Representatives at the flrst SEES
sion of the Fiftieth Congress, but was not
acted upon. l think the suggestion of the
hoard is a good one. and recommend that
Congress take action thereon.
Girls Reform School.
1.-THE girls reform school of the District of
Columbia, opened November 6, 1893, was
built to accommodate twenty-nine girls.
The trustees have tried the experiment of
receiving a greater number, but the result
was not satisfactory, and the attempt will
not be renewed, although it is matter of
constant regret that a force of officers,
teachers and attendants which Is sufficient
for much larger number of inmates
should be limited in the scope of their
work by lack of room for more inmates.
THE report of the president of the board
of trustees shows the condition of the
school during the last year. and the recon-
mendations made by him meet with my
approval, especially that for an additional
appropriatior for a new building. l also
agree with his suggestion that there should
be a treasurer.
ITO secure harmony and avoid some in
convenences which have arisen from time
to time, l suggest that this school be put
Under the head of reforma tories and pris-
ons, instead of under that of charities in
the appropriation bill. it is not in any
proper sense charitable institution