The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-05-24
AFFAIRS OF THE DISTRICT
The Care Of Persons at the House
of Detention.

Questions Raised by Major Sylvester
and Answered in an Opinion by
the Auditor-TEe Flour InsDectog-
Reports Shortngcs-other Matters.
Major Sylvester, Superintendent of Po-
lice recently forwarded to the Commits
sioners a recommendation that the Aud
itor of the District be requested to decide
whether the appropriation for the main
tcnance Of the House of Detention can
be used in feeding the prisoners after
they have been tried in the Police Court
and are awaiting the decision of the court
Major SyIvester's statement follows:
Under an act of Congress, approved
June 8. 1890. the sum CT 5000 was appro-
priated for the maintenance. of what is
known as the House Of Detention The
purposes of this institution, as described
by the act. are IS follows:
- To eTss,bie the Commissioners of the
District Of Columbia to provide transpOr-
tatfon and suitable place for the recep-
ton, transportation, and detention of the
children under sixten years of age and
lin the discretion Of the Commissioners
of girls and women over sixteen years Of
age, arrested by the police on charge of
'ii-t4NS oS7<Aii4E'1 any law AZ 4CA e IA NA4N
District of Columbia or held as witnesses,
or held pending investigation, examica-
ton or otherwise
When persons are arrested and placed
in this institution they are held until the
superintendent thereof shall be notified
that the court is ready to try their cases
In many instances after a hearing has
been had the judge returns the defendants
to the House of Detention to be cared for
until he shall determine where they
should be committed or other action tax
en-.
In my opinion the appropriation for
the maintenance of the House of Deten-
tioE cannot be used for defendants in
United States and District of Columbia
cases after information has been filed in
the Police Court, for after that has been
done they cease tc be subjects of sup
port under the provisions of the appro-
priation referred TO or that for the Met
ropolitan Police Department
! can realize the Importance Of not
combining such prisoners in jail or else
where 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 do not believe
it was ever intended that they should be
received at the House of Detention after
their cases had been taken into the Pc
lice Court, IN the absence. however, of
any other place for the temporary deten-
ton of such subjects, it is essential that
the principles which prompted the estab-
Iishment Of the House of Detention be
maintained so far as may be necessary to
protect them from obnoxious contact
4 would suggest that the expense incur
red in furnishing meals to prisoners de
tanned there after their cases have been
heard in the Police Court be paid by the
Board of ChildreEs Guardians. as the
estimates for the feeding Of those arrest
ed and cared Tor at the House OF Deten-
ton do not permit a prolonged or indefi-
mite stay under the circumstances de
scribed above.
Z respectfully suggest. in order that
no complications may arise in connection
with expenditures for this institution, hat
the point in question be determined by
Hon. J. T. Petty, Auditor for the District
Of Columbia
The Auditor, J. T Petty, has reported
upon the matter. saying:
THE act Of June s. 1900. which makes
an appropriation for what is known as "a
House Of Detention, provides that il shall
be for the detention Of the children IN
der sixteen years Of age and lin the dis
cretion Of the COMMISSIONER of girls and
women over sixteen years of age, arrested
10y the police on charge of 9ffence against
iumbia, or held as witnesses. or held pend
ing investigation, examination, OF other
wise
This act is very broad in its terms.
providing for the deten1ion OF those ar
rested on charge OF offence against any
law IN force in the District Of Columbia.
IT also provides that they shah be held
pending investigation, examination, or
otherwise. No matter what the nature OF
the offence may be- nor what the cause
Of contention, the arrested parties are to
be cared for at the House Of Detention
until their cases shall have been finally
disposed Of by the authorities.
II am of opinion that the appropriation
for the House Of Detention is the only one
available for the maintenance of those
who may be arrested iu-accoTdauce with
the terms of the act TO which reference
herein IS made