The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-01-01

No More Go to MOundsVille
for the Present.
ACTION BY THE DEPARTMENT
Criminals viii Probably Be Sent to
Maryland or Ohio Peni-
teutiaTieS.

Federal prisoners will not be sent
hereafter to the West Virginia State
prison at MoundsviIIe. at least not until
comfortable accommodations can be
provided them. and the sanitary condl-
ton Of that institution is materially
improved. This was decided yesterday,
when the attention of the prevalence of
consumption among the prisoners of that
prison was brought to the attention of
the Department Of Justice.
For several months the Attorney Gen
ersI has urged the directors of the West
Virginia prison 10 provide better quar-
teTs for Government offenders, but the
request seems 10 have been UNDECIDED,
although the directors have been in
formally considering the erection of an
addition. and possibly new prison.
A Political Scheme.
Behind the whole affair is story of
political interest. Until three years ago
the penitentiary of West Virginia had
been operated at great cost Warden
Hawk. now in charge of the Federal
prison at Atlanta. Georgia, was warden
OF the prison Of the Little Mountain
State. With 500 prisoners on his hands
and poor bids made for their services
in manufacturing prison goods, Warden
Hawk conceived the idea of securing
Government prisoners as boarders.
The matter was presented to the board
Of directors OF the institution, and the
West Virginia delegation In Congress
the prisoners from the District of Col
umbia. Although the West Virginia
prison contained but 500 cells and &C
commodations were miserable, the con-
tract was m9la The cost per day for
each prisoner was specified to be about
so cents.
At present there are 300 Federal
prisoners in the penitentiary there. To
keep the terms Of the agreement, the
warden OF West Vfrginia's prison is COM
PEELED TO place the prisoners two in a
cell. Each cell is less than five by nine
feet. floor measure. and all are damp
and dark. The building Is within a
stones throw of the Ohio River, and
il low. damp portion of the town.
Promises Failed.
SO poorly ventilated and damp is the
institution that many convicts soon de-
veIoped symptoms OF consumption, and q
number have died. The crowded condi-
ton of the place was told TO the Gov
eminent officials, and, 1t is claimed, Gen
eral Agent Strong took the matter up
with the board of directors. with the re-
suit they promised to build an addition
at once, institute a new sanitary sys-
TEN. and make the prison generally
heaIthful. On these conditions. Federal
prisoners were sent on to the prison, and
many more became i'll with consumption.
The Government paid TO the warden of
the prison a little over $50, 900 in 1900,
and the amount viii exceed that for last
year. The warden Of the institution In
his report 10 the last West Virginia Leg
is1ature pointed with pride to the fact
that the prison was more than self-sup-
porting. and announced that a surplus Of
81, 600 existed. Three months ago, Gener-
al Agent Strong again urged the board OF
directors to either erect new building
or construct an addition sufficiently large
to give each prisoner a cell to himself
Consumption Rampant.
Again the board of directors promis-
ed to act at once, but up to the present
time, no movement in that direction has
been made. The number Of Federal pris-
oners afflicted with consumption is rap
idly increasing, and the expose of The
Times has caused immediate action. The
last batch Of prisoners TO be sent from
this city went three weeks ago. Until
some provision Is made by the directors
of the West Virginia prison, temporary
arrangement VIII be made with other
States for the care OF the Districts
criminals.
II is probable that these will be sent
to the Maryland State prison, or to the
Ohio penitentiary. located at Columbus.