The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1909-01-14
HODGE ACTS REGARD.
LESS OF COUNTY
BOARD.
VIII See That the Women
Prisoners Are Given
Proper Care.



Those women prisoners are
human beings. and az such re-
qulre humane treatment, and
as long as { am sheriff they'll
Get humane treatment"
Tho above ia the statement made
yesterday By Sheriff Robert Hodge.
when announcing the appointment
Of three matrons for the county
jail
ln spite Of the fact that the conn-
IS commissioners did not approve
the appointment of the matrons.
or make allowance for their salary.
Sheriff Hodge made the appoint
meuta and put the matrons 70 work
today
Before the Commissioner
For more than two hours yester-
day Sheriff Hodge was before tho
commissioners pleading his case.
The county commissioners them
selves state that the only reason
Tor not approving the appointing 0g
The matrons Is due tn a question
ct expense.
The difference in the expense
Is 81.
According 10 Sheriff Hodge. the
matter Of expense Is SO small that
he believes everything viii work
out IN the future. but adds that, ia
ease the commissioners do not sane
ton his action in placing the wom-
en- 20 work. he viii ask the public
70 assist him IN paying them.
~ is not right that one woman
should be compelled TO work "A
hours a day. or rather be expected
20 De ready for duty every minute.
Il IL not only an injustice 20 the
one on duty but also to the women
Rho are confined IN the Jail.
Prisoners Need Care.
Few people realize just what is
expected Of jail matron. There
come into the prison women Of all
classes. and the majority Of them
are such that require attentions
such az a woman only can give"
When referring 20 the matter Of
expense. Sheriff Hodge said
You see. this matter OF expense
cannot be OF much moment because
the commissioners have Mgnified
their willingness 10 grant me two
matrons az salary OF $50 per
month Now. then. there "a the sum
of SIS allowed a matron for house
rent and 81 per month for tele-
phone expenses. Thus II viii be
seen that two matrons would re-
Qnire an appropriation Of s2fS per
month Ny Idea is 20 pay the mat
rona SI5 per month each. which
would mean only 1925. or s. more
than is required for two"
Al Rutherford Sick.
Owing 20 the sickness Of Al
Rutherford. county commissioner.
who WAS forced TO give up his
work yesterday. the commissioners
could not decide definitely upon
appointing the matrons, and the
matter will be taken up at some
future time
Sheriff Hodge was granted the
concession " purchasing food sup
plies for the prisoners. lie vii be
allowed cook and baker bedding
and light. b. the board Of commits
si0ncrs
From all over the city Sheriff
Hodge is receiving letters OF con.
graduation indicating clearly that
the public Is ready % back him In
his plea for three women matrons
for the county jail female ward.
Following is letter received by
Hodge this morning.
Seattle, Wash, Jan. 18th, 1908.
Mr. Robert Hodge,
Sheriff. King Co, Wash.
Ny Dear Sir;--i am glad TO see
the stand you have taken In regard
10 the prisoners IN the county TAIL.
nope you will succeed with those
three matrons. You can raise the
money and will help you what
can. ! can speak a good word for
you and that will help. May tho
lord bless you. Truly your brother,
- ~