Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-08-24
Estimates for Its Support Submitted
by Major Sylvester.
APPROPRIATION $ll,5s5 ASKED FOR
Suggestion That Employees Be
Placed on Permanent Roll.
CHILDREN'S COURT NEEDED

quotes the act under which the house was
instituted. which reads:
ITO enable the Commissioners Of the Dis
trict of Columbia to provide transportation
and a suitable place for the reception.
transportation and detention of the children
under sixteen years Of age, and, in the dis
erection Of the Commissioners. of girls and
women over sixteen years Of age, arrested
by the police on charge of offense against
any law in force In the District OF Column
bia. or held witnesses, or held pending
final investigation or examination, or other
wise, $1,000, or SO much thereof as may be
necessary, provided that all such persons
held or detained under public authority
prior to the adjudication of cases In which
they may be involved sh.l be held at the
place 50 provided"
This institution, the superintendent says.
Is being supported during the current hScal
year to the extent that is permissible under
an appropriation Of 5000.
For the fiscal year ending June 30. 1903,
/ have to recommend that the sum OF ST.
595 be appropriated for such purpose, 10 De
included In detailed appropriation, as
follows: Superintendent, additional COM
pensation, S12D: three clerks at 5000 each.
81 500: driver of the van, $3.50: three drivers
of cab at $40 each. S1.2jO; one hostier'
$3.50; three guards at $500 each. Sl.SoO' one
laborer $40: two matrons at staO each,
shoeing, 500: meals to prisoners. $7cO; ice,
SO; gas. $50: forage, $500: fuel, Si2o'
horses. $500: repairs to wagons ana pur-
chasing of new one. 500; miscellaneous eN-
penSeS, including furniture, stationery, ele.'
$500 Total, $11.59o.
The Estimates Explained.
Tn support of the estimates the following
explanation is given:
..Tbe house of detention. as the law
Ind
is not a station house. but such an institu-
ton as is best adapted for the confinement
of Youthful prisoners coming into the hands
Of the police over night. or until such time
as the charges against them may be dls-
posed of by the courts. In additlon TO noio-
ing such prisoners for trial the Judges OF
the Police Court and board Of chiidren's
guardians in the absence of an appropria-
ton, have had to invoke the aid of this de-
partment to the extent OF caring Tor these
prisoners: that is. housing and c0nnning
them after the courts have considered any
charges that may have been preferred
against them until such time as they may
be sent to proper reformatory or assign.
ment may be made of their cases by way OF
penalty and betterment This has entafied
on the limited appropriation made for the
purpose an expense unlocked for at the
time of the inception of the institution. but
l am pleased to state that the department
has been enabled to do this without great
discontinue or entailing deficiency in the
matter of expense.
The leutenants of the several precinct
station houses have been greatly relieved
during the past year and a half by the
presence of this place of confinement.
Many of the young have been saved the
humiliation, If not the permanent disgrace
and abandonment which too often follows
incarceration behind the bars and weak
a nd unfortunate females and children have
had kindly care during the period they were
deprived of liberty. which does not prevail
in other Jurisdictions
No Escapes. No Harshnexs.
1.-THE officers, without exception, have
performed their duties conscientiously and
thoroughly. There have been no escapes
no harshness, maltreatment which
would in any measure destroy the object
of the work. yet. at the same time. those
who have been sent to the house of de-
tention as prisoners have fully realized
that the community provides against the
liberty of those who violate the laws. Per-
sons arrested by the police have been
promptly transported to these quarters.
and there has been no delay in answering
the summons Of the court for their pro-
duction. During the brief period of in
generation, females under the supervision
of matrons and boys under the supervision
of guards have, for the first time In some
instances. been taught that cleanliness is
next to goodness. In this, that they are
required to battle and attire themselves
preserve good order while so detained.
THE vehicles used in the transporta-
ton of these prisoners and others are de-
void of any appearance that would por-
no outward signs that would indicate other
than humane treatment. neither do the
rules of the institution permit otherwise
during the time of Imprisonment.
1.-THE superintendent of this institution
is a sergeant in the metropolitan police
department. and in the execution of his
duties must possess those qualities neces-
sary to carry out the ideas as above
is 81. $50 per year. and l recommend that
the same be increased to even $1,000.
Number of Clerks Required.
Three clerks performing duty eight
hours each are required during the twenty
four hours. and their pay at this time Is
5000 per annum. They enter all names
and information pertaining to those who
may be sent to the house OF detention and
prepare the routine reports necessary to
its proper conduct.
1.-The driver Of the van Is charged with
the duty of driving q double team which
transports prisoners to the court and from
that place to the several institutions to
which they may be sentenced. or back to
the house Of detention. where they may
be assigned for temporary imprisonment
Three drivers at $40 per annum re-
ljeve eacn OtnSf III OT1SlNS the venice
which responds to the calls from the sew
eral precinct station houses wher arrests
are made, in order to transport prisoners
as rapidly as possible to the place Of de-
tention.
Three horses are employed to perform
this work, and they are cared for by
hostler at $3.50 per Snnum.
Three male guards are kept on duty. al
ternating eight hours each. at 5000 a year
These officers are charged with supervising
the male prisoners, enforcing the regula-
lions as to bathing and putting them in
the sleeping apartments and securing them
properly at the time they are to be taken
to court.
In addition to these, three police Of
ficers change watch, so that one may ac-
company all prisoners to the courts or
other places. as may be directed.
Two matrons, performing twelve hours
of duty each. at $500 a year, have charge
of the female ward and attend to the
wants of those entrusted to their charge
and in addition thereto to search them and
exercise proper care to their safety and
security during the time they may be de-
tanned.
This includes the salary list. excepting
the police officers. OF those who are now
paid per diem out of a lump appropria-
ton of 5000 per annum. and / would
suggest that the same may be made perma-
nent places at the salaries above enumer-
ated, and provided for in the estimates.
HOrnes and WaU0na