Los Angeles herald., 1910-04-07
URGES FARMS FOR
CITY PRISONERS
Chief of Police Galloway Favors
System Successfully
Used in East
BRUTALITY IS DENOUNCED
Head of Department Says He will
Present Plan as Soon
as Possible

Chief of Police Galloway is not salts,
fed with the system of working prds-
oners on the city streets and subjecting
them to the indignity of having to
wear ball and chain, and shortly VIII
take steps toward an "open farm" sys-
TEN, such as is in effect in the eastern
cities, and will direct his efforts toward
having the city maintain a prison farm
on some of its unused ground.
The head of the police department
is a strong advocate of the humani-
tartan treatment of unfortunates who
fall under the ban of the law and he is
doing his utmost to make the lot of the
offender as easy as possible. Chief
Galloway does not approve of the
dark hole" or dungeon, and declared
that the "hole," as it is called by the
1ailers, will be used only in cases of
extreme necessity.
He has expressed his opinion on this
matter when he first assumed charge
of the police department, and in order
to make his order more emphatic yes
terday afternoon called into his office
Captain Dixon and several jailers and
gave them advice as to the proper
manner In which he wished prisoners
to be treated. He impressed on them
forclhly the necessity of using human
itarian methods in dealing with Of
tenders confined in the city jail.
AtultI AIdlloNdy utNleiiN Aib leiNt Nht'N
prisoners lodged at the Eastside work
house are humilitated by being COM
PEELED to wear a ball and chain while
they are at work in the streets, but
declared It was necessary because of
the opportunities the men have for
making escape.
"As soon as have disposed of other
matters which are of great import
ance." said Chief Galloway, II will
place the matter OF an open farm sys-
tenn before the proper authorities and
exert my efforts toward abollshing the
present chain gang and having the
prisoners placed in healthy quarters
on a farm where they will not be sub
jected to humiliation.
ArTAISs TO HIGH STANDARD
"I am endeavoring to bring the police
department up to the highest stand
ard l don't believe that man SEN
fenced to Jail for a misdemeanor of
fense should be harshly treated and
made to wear ball and chain and
work on the streets of this city where
any one may see him. Under present
conditions this is the only way offend
ers can be treated, and the ball and
chain is absolutely necessary to keep
most of them from making a success
ful break for liberty.
MY idea is to have the city set aside
acres which 1t possesses in the out
skirts of the town. Suitable buildings
can be erected at q small cost, and the
men can be made to earn their board
as well as to supply the city jail and
the workhouse with potatoes and vege-
tables of all kinds. After the farm
has been in operation short time It
not only will furnish enough for the
prisoners. but will be source of rev.
enue to the city
"The Offenders then will do their
work with a better spirit. knowing
that they are not being watched by
curious persons. and their moral con-
dition will be better, because they will
realize that they are being treated
humanely ana their Identity will be
known only to those in immediate
charge of the farm.
"Since I assumed the head OF the
police department l have been working
on plans to better the conditions Of the
prisoners. and II I succeed in having
the city abolish the present chain gang
system and adopt the open farm meth
cd of dealing with petty offenders l
will feel that I have accomplished
something that will be a benefit to
the city"
Chief Galloway also stated that he was
not aware of the circumstances in the
case of Charles Williams. a negro, who
is in a serious condition>as the result
OF q beating he is alleged to have
received after having been taken to the
city Jail, and declared that brutal
methods would not be tolerated while
he was at the head of the department.
Williams, who was arrested for shoot
ing a policeman, was locked up in the
city tail some time before Chief Gal
loway assumed office.