Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-24
INSPECTING SITE FOR JAIL
PENAL COMMISSION VISITS
/ WHITEHoUsE, VA.
High Prices Demanded by Land
owners-Temporary Workhouse
Soon to Be Erected.

To inspect a possible site for the new
reformatory which is to replace the Jail
on the outskirts of the city. District
Commissioners Judson and West and the
members Of the penal commission-John
Joy Edison and Justice w. P. STAFFORD
made a trip to Whitehouse. Va. yester-
day. returning late in the afternoon.
The site for the workhouse was select
ed at Occoquan, Va. some months ago.
and the preliminaries necessary before
possession is taken are now being ar
ranged by the Department of Justice.
The site for the other of the new penal
institutions. the reformatory. has not
been selected. 1t is probable that some
definite conclusion will be reached before
long.
Several sites that are satisfactory to
bers of the penal commission have been
found on the inspection trips, but Engi-
neer Commissioner Judson. who is chair
man Of the commission. explained yes
terday that the prices at which the own
ers hold all of these sites are too high.
and that the appropriations available will
make it impossible for the District to
pay the high price demanded by the
owners. Like the site selected for the
workhouse, several Of the tracts of land
on the banks of the Potomac river. 9th
ers are on direct railroad lines leading
from the National Capital. and therefore
affOrding easy transportation facilities to
the institution should it be established
on one of them.
Under the provision of the law passed
at the last session of Congress providing
for the new penal institutions outside OF
the District limits, each of the two sites
must contain at least LOCO acres Of land.
ha SpnlT9tQd
Investigating Land Titles.
The title to the tract of land selected
as the site for the workhouse at Deco
guam is now being investigated by the
Department Of Justice and the work is
expected to take several weeks longer.
A survey of the site was made in July
under the direction of District Surveyor
w. c. HaZen and a plat was prepared,
showing the size of the seven parcels
contained in the tract. This plat and ad-
ditfonal information regarding the titles
and price to be paid was forwarded to the
Attorney General several weeks ago. In
asmuch as the land is to be taken in the
name of the United States, the title must
be found to be satisfactory to the De-
partment of Justice before the money can
be paid and possession taken.
In an amendment to the law providing
for the new penal institutions there is a
pfOVlSlOu authorizing TIE AItOTuey IcH-
eral to take the land by condemnation
for both sites. This is regarded as wise
provision, because such proceedings will
clear the title to land in case an other
wise clear title cannot be obtained, and
because it will enable the District to Sc
cure site for the reformatory without
paying exorbitant prices at which some
Of the sites offered are now being held.
AS soon as the District gets possession
Of the site for the workhouse at Deco
guam temporary buildings In which the
prisoners can be cared for will be erected.
The appropriation, which amounts to
100000. provides for the purchase of the
sites and for the erection of temporary
buildings. Prisoners will be taken from
the present workhouse to aid in the con-
struction Of the temporary buildings
Located on the workhouse site is a
large stone quarry, and it Is expected
that some of the prisoners will be put to
work in the operation of the quarrying
plant as soon as the District gets pos
session.