Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-05-07
AUDITOR TOANTERPRET LAW
QUESTION RAISED BY sUPERINTEND-
ENT OF POLICE.
Care of Prisoners Returned to House
Detention PENDING Decision
of Police Court.

Major Richard Sylvester the superin-
tendent of police. has addressed letter to
Commissioner John w. Ross, who has SUI
pervision of the police department, recon-
mendlng that the auditor of the District DE
requested to decide as to whether the APP
preparation for the maintenance of the
house of detention can be used in feeding
prisoners after they have been tried in the
Police Court and have been returned by the
judge to the house of detention to be cared
for until he decides what course to pursue.
Major Sylvester states that under an act
of Congress approved June 6, 1900, the sum
OF $1,000 was appropriated for the main
tenance of what is known as the house of
detention. The purposes Of this institution.
as described by the act. are as follows:
10 enable the Commissioners of the Dis
trlct OF COLUMBIA to provide transportation
ana suitable place for the reception,
transportation and detention of the children
under sixteen years of age and dn 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 Ia" In force in the District of Column
pla' or held as witnesses, or held pending
lnVestlgat1on, examination or otherwise
Major Sylvester adds:
when persons are arrested and placed
IN this institution they are held until the
superintendent thereof shalh be notified that
the court is ready to try their cases. In
mad the Judge returns the defendants to the
house of detention to be cared for until he
Snail determine where they should be COM
mltted or other action taken.
In my opinion the appropriation for the
maintenance of the house of detention cam
not pc used for defendants in United States
ana District OF Columbia cases after in
formations have been filed in the Police
Court, for after that is done they cease to
De SUBJECTS of support under the provisions
OF me appropriation referred to or that for
the metropolitan police department.
Protection From Obnoxious Contact.
1 can realize the Importance of not con-
inning such prisoners in Jail or elsewhere
While the judge may be making up his
mind as to what course to pursue the
prisoners being females or children under
sixteen years of age, but l do not believe
it was ever intended that they should be
received at the house of detention after
Lhelr cases mad been taken into the Po'ice
Court In the absence however, of any
other place for the temporary detention of
such SUBJECTS, it is essential that the prin-
ciples which prompted the establishment
OF the house of detention be maintained so
lar as may be necessary to protect them
from obnoxious contact.
would suggest that the expense in
CURED IN furnishing meals to prisoners de-
tanned there after their cases have been
heard IN the Police Court be paid by the
board Of chilirens guardians, as the esti-
mates 1or the feeding of those arrested
ana cared for at the house of detention do
not permit a prolonged or indefinite stay
unoer the circumstances described above.
respectfully suggest, in order that no
complications may arise in connection with
. .he expenditures for this institution, that
the point in question be determined by ].
l. Petty, auditor of the District of Column
bia.''
mat course in the matter has been taken