The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-09-22
President Harper Makes
Study of Improved
Penal Institutions
of Country.
Reformation and Not Re-
venge the Object of
Punishment of
Criminals.

An entire Encouragement of the penal
institutions Of the District OF Columbia
so as 10 make Washington stand in the
van of cities with respect to her treat
ment OF criminals and those accused Of
crime. is 10 be the object Of serious
endeavor on the part Of the Washington
Chamber of Commerce, II the present
plans Of President Robert n. Harper
are carried out
He proposes TO urge the following re-
forms for the District:
Give Judges Power.
New laws which shall give local
judges more power to use their discre-
ton in sentencing offenders, with the
primary object in view of reformation
OF the criminal.
To remove the present Jail and work
house 70 point farther from the resi-
dence section OF the city and there 10
erect also a prison that will amply &C
commodate not only these who are sent
to the jail and workhouse. but also
those now sent TO the penitentiary in
West Virginia.
In this prison or series Of apartments
10 provide facilities for discriminating
among the various classes Of Offenders.
so that the first offender may not come
in contact with the hardened criminal,
and that the accused may not have to
be placed in the same cells as convicts.
as is at present necessary.
Considers 1t a Duty.
Mr.. Harper believes the Chamber OF
Commerce has a large duty to perform
to all the residents of the District, not
the least part of which is to see to It
that Washington shall not remain be-
hind other cities and States IN its
method OF caring for moral delinquents.
He has been devoting much time during
the past month TO a study of penal con-
dltions in Washington and in other cit:c.
and states. with the result that he now
believes that the Capital City of the
nation is far behind the lead Of others
in this respect; so far behind. in fact.
tina. he thinks the time has come for
leading Washington citizeps to bring
pressure to bear upon Congress at its
next session to frame new laws extend
ing the present classification of Grim
inals and sentences for crime. and pro-
viding better facilities for caring for
those sentenced TO Imprisonment by the
DlSLIlcL courts
No better organization In his opinion
for bringing pressure to bear upon Con-
gross exists than the Chamber OF Com
merce.
Studies Systems.
Mr.. Harper was asked whether the
Chamber would undertake to bring pres
sure to bear upon Congress to correct
conditions relating to the care OF crimi-
nails. and replied that he hoped his
would be done. He, said:
Il have given more or less thought
to this subject during the past year and
kave made some suggestions as 10 the
methods pursued in many Of what
mitht truthfully be termed the more
progressive States as TO the laws and
customs obtaining in them. I find tina.
II is not only an interesting subject, but
one which is likely to receive more and
ore serious consideration as attention
is given 20 H.
our conditions here n Washington
are very peculiar and unique, different
from those Of any state or TERRITORY /
,.now OF. We have a jail where some
1ur or five hundred prisoners are kent
apparently for the purpose of fattening