Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-10
INSIST ON REMOVAL
Citizens Want Jail and Work.
house Taken Away.
MAKE WRITTEN Statement
Committee of East Washington As
ISOLATION Acts.
ADVOCATES NEW LOCATIONS
Responds to Invitation From Com
mittee Appointed by the Presi-
dent by Giving Views
MAKE WRITTEN Statement
ADVOCATES NEW LOCATIONS

In connection with the determination Of
members of the East Washington Citi-
zens' Association to fight for the removal
of the jail, workhouse and other similar
institutions from the eastern section Of
the city, the commission appointed by
President Roosevelt to Investigate condi-
lions at the jail and workhouse recently
asked the association FOR its views on the
subject.
The executive committee Of the associa-
ton has discussed the matter thoroughly
and prepared letter to be sent to the
commission.
"All the institutions named should be
placed on new locations" it 10 set forth.
Situated as they are they have been an
impeachment to the natural development of
the eastern section Of the city. The phe-
nomenal growth in recent years of the
National capital in every direction was
not fully anticipated when the present
site was selected; nor was the quick. easy
and inexpensive means Of passenger traf-
fic now In vogue then anticipated. The
small cost of removing these institutions
to new sites will not be q heavy penalty
for this lack of foresight.
Requirements Of New Site.
Because of uncertainty In the matter
Of railroad legislation and the elimina-
ton Of grade crossings, it has been
inadvisable IL not impossible until now
to determine upon q site better adapted
for these necessary penal institutions
SO that the site thus chosen shall
Tor all future years meet the follow
ing requirements: Healthfulness; ampli-
tude of space-3O0 acres or more; accessi-
bility by water if not by rail for trans
portation of freight required in industries
and of supplies: remOteness that only the
minimum injury incident to nearness OF
these institutions may result to property.
This site should be Of the ample size
above suggested and the buildings erected
thereon SO designed that all prisoners I'M
der commitment by all the courts in the
District can be there kept-and where
suitable industries can be carried on by
some prisoners in walled Enclosures, while
to others tasks can be given on the
grounds. the fields and the gardens Of the
institutions. Every prisoner capable OF
work to be compelled to work.
For prisoners held for trial and for
witnesses held in important cases those
connected with the courts have for many
years urged upon Congress that additional
accommodations near the courthouse be
supplied. The reasons for this are
many"
Desire Is Unanimous.
In conclusion it is stated that 1.-THE
foregoing briefly embodies the desire OF
every member of this association. 1t
presents problems which will require in
their solution much time and patience and
some money. But these problems should
be solved now-not further delayed.
This association in this paper refrains
from giving q detailed presentation of
reasons impeling It to plead for your
favorable response to the cry for relief
which 1t has pressed upon Congress and
the community for many years. The re-
lief thus given to our section OF the city
will bring additional benefits to the COM
munity. and also to every one who by
his fault or his misfortune shall in all
the years to come be there confined.
Upon the hHnanities Of the question
this paper does not dwell-this for the
reason that every member of our asso-
citation feels assured that this very i'm
portant phase of the question will re-
ceive from you the full and philanthropic
consideration which it deserves"
Members Of the Northeast Washington
Citizens Association have taken an active
interest in the fight, and are also going
to send copy Of the letter to the COM
mission. At meetings Of that associa-
ton they have sanctioned the action of
the other associations and will do all in
their power to bring about the desired
result.