Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-02-06
OFFICERS FAVOR WORkHOUSE
Police Judge Crawford, Chief Donahue and
Captain Mostyn commend Plan.
ESSENTIAL TO PROGRESS OF THE CITY
Ordinance Now Being Prepared for
Councils submissiOD to People
of Proposition TO Vote
Bonds This Spring.

II the present agitation may be taken as
a criterion-and the agitation Is well-de-
fined-Omaha will have a workhouse within
the year. Police Judge Crawford, Chief of
Police Donahue and others are outspoken
In the matter. believing the need of
workhouse in this city, as pointed out edi-
torially by The Bee, is a long-felt and
pressing one. II is more than probable the
matter will be put to the voters in the
form of a bond proposition at the spring
election.
THE fact that most cities of the size of
Omaha have penal institutions where va
grants sentenced from the police court are
given an object lesson in that form OF
physical exercise known as work makes it
imperative, for self-preservation. II nothing
else. that this city take some prompt step
In that direction" said Chief Donahue.
II have always favored workhouse as
believe II is one Of the best means of
dealing with petit larceny thieves and va
grants, as they shun "A city where "A work
house is maintained with almost as much
fenr as they would pesthouse where
smallpox patients are taken care OF. The
present winter up to this time has been
one I'm which almost any able bodied man
could get employment and there is very
little excuse for any man TO be out Of en-
workhouse In Omaha similar 70 the ones In
Kansas City Milwaukee or other cities IT
would he a great defense against the class
OF Migrants and petit larceny thieves we
have to contend with each year I am UNI
! able to say what the cost of building n
| workhouse would be. but that can easily
be ascertained from cities where they have
| such institutions,
Essential 20 Progress,
| Police Judge Crawford, who has been
! giving the matter OF work houses per-
sonal investigation, said:
| Omaha will be infested with Migrants,
! tramps and petit thieves so long as we are
| without work house. Under present con-
ditions no adequate punishment can be pro-
] vided this class OF criminals. I believe a
| work house can be made sclf-supporting,
but If not the deterrent effect upon Of
tenders will be well worth the money ex-
pended. Kansas City. Minneapolis St
/ Paul, Denver, Milwaukee and other places
on a class with Omaha are adequately pro-
vided to entertain the gentry OF the class
under discussion, and Omaha must get in
line. 1t is an essential step in the city's
progress. The Bees editorial meets the
question fairly. Now Is the time To act .
Captain of Police Mostyn. who has had
many years of personal experience witt
that class which thinks society owes IL =
living, believes the city should have d
work house, and that without further de
lay. He says every night during the win
ter i'm particular from 4 dozen TO a scor,
OF chronic Migrants call at the city jai
for lodgings, while as many more ar,
picked up by the patrolmen and sent I'm
"A term in the county Jail does not al
| feet many of the warrants sald Can,,t,
Mostyn. who has record OF numerous In
stances occurring during the last few
months OF Migrants actually eommittin,
some crime which will insure them a
] least thirty days In the county jail, wher,