The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-30
DISTRICT JAIL REMOVAL
Gossip Again Revived Concerning
the Sugges ion.
Discussion in Congress of n PROPOSE
ton for an Appropriation for I'M
provements - Opinion of Warden
Harris Regarding the Old Struc-
ture-stonc or Brick Wall Needed.

There has been a great deal said lately
in reference to the removal of the District
Jail from its present location. No sugges-
ton, however, has been made as to where
the institution should be moved or what
advantage will be gained by the change of
location. The proposition was revived a
few days ago in Congress when the item
of $4,000 for improvements at the jail,
workhouse, and almshouse. was reached in
the District Appropriation bill. II was
then argued that it was useless to expend
this amount in improvement in connection
with the District jail, and the other build
ings, if it was believed that the jail would
be removed from its present location in the
near future. II is believed that if the jail
is moved the removal of the other build
ings will follow.
Ii is understood that the proposition TO
remove the District Jail originated in tho
Board of Trade, and that the special COM
mittee appointed, TO which the matter was
referred in turn named a sub committee
to investigate and report upon the subject.
II is also stated that the subcommittee
made one or more visits to the Jail with
view of ascertaining the condition of the
institution the area of land occupied, and
its topography, what obstruction it offered
to the extension of certain streets, and
such other information as could be gained
concerning the subject. The committee was
met by Warden Harris, who submitted
what information he had and was likely to
assist the committeeman in making their
report.
In speaking OF the matter Warden Har
ris stated that the present building affords
ample accommodations TO: all the prison
ers held by the United States authorities
in the District. At present there are some
few more than 800 persons confined in the
Jail, while he said there are cell accom-
modations for 626.
The Jail is located on a tract of about
nine acres of ground on the Eastern
Branch of the Potomac River, fronting
west on Nineteenth Street, between B and
C Streets southeast. Immediately 10 the
south are the workhouse and almshouse
buildings, and in the rear is the Potter's
Field. At present the grounds of the jail
are enclosed by an ordinary running board
fence, which makes it impracticable to al
low the prisoners exercise in the open air
In this connection it may be stated that
some time ago a proposition was made to
enclose the grounds with a stone or brick
wall, high enough to ensure the safety of
prisoners confined in the institution. From
what can be learned on this subject how
ever, it appears when the proposition was
submitted TO Congress only SIC, 900 was ap-
propriated for the purpose of completing
the wall. This matter has been closely
considered by Warden Harris during his
tncumbency and he is Of the opinion that
should il ever be decided to make the pris-
oners work outside of the confines OF the |
building such a wall would be indispensa-
bic. The amount appropriated, however, |
he states, will not be sufficient TO complete |
the proposed work. After giving the mat |
ter careful consideration Mr.. Harris said |
he is of the opinion that such an enclosure |
as will be required Will cost at least S1l5,- |
600.
After this conclusion was reached by the |
warden, 1t is understood Congress appoint |
Cd a special committee TO look into the |
matter and it reported that wall fifteen |
feet high, with a sufficient base could be |
constructed for about 500. 600 In this con- |
Section It is proper TO say that Warden |
Harris, in computing the cost of wall, |
based his calculations, on the supposition
that the wall should be twenty feet high, |
which he believes will be necessary for the |
safe keeping of persons. 1t may also be |
said that in the event that it is decided to |
surround the jail grounds with a wall OF |
either fifteen or twenty feet in height, .
there is hardly any doubt but the sugges- |
tion OF Warden Haris as to the construc- |
tion Of the front wall will be adopted. He |
suggests that instead of extending the wal |
along the line Of the grounds abutting on |
Nineteenth Street, that from the north |
and south points Of the fail grounds, OF |
that street the wall take direction which |
will connect it with the northwest and |
southwest corners of the building. BY con- |
ftructing the front wall, or rather walls. |
for it Will be in two parts, in this way it |
will greatly improve the appearance of |
the building and grounds which otherwise |
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