The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-10-09
WARDEN IS PRAISED
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Mrs. Maud Booth Declares
Heads of Jail Are Doing
Good Work.
By SELENE ARMSTRONG.

ut is the prison warden. and the
worker behind our prison bars, not
the penolOgist, or theOrist, who is &C
cOnplishing real prison reform
throughout the world today"
This is the opinion of Maud Bal
linston Booth, Little Mother" to
10000 American prisoners, given just
as the most eminent gathering of
penOlogists, scientists, and students Of
criminal law ever assembled in Wash
iEgtOn dispersed after a week of no
table sessions.
Mind you" said the Little Mother,
raising one strong and capable hand
in warning, Il do not mean this as a
criticism Of the delegates to the In
ternational Prison Congress, closing
its convention here today. But 1 do
long for the time TO come when the
warden will be given his rightful
credit for the reform he has accom-
plished. Who is II that has introduced
industrial work in our prisons has
made them the more sanitary; has
abolished or is abolishing the stripe
and lOckS+ep? Why, the warden of
the prison. of course. And il is time
he was getting more credit and thanks
for ii"
Has 10000 Members.
Maud BaIIington Booth, since or
ganizing the first chapter Of the Vol
Unteer Prison League at Sing Sing
on May "A, 1896, has enrolled among
her volunteers more than $4,000 pris-
oners, who under her guidance have
prepared or are now preparing for d
life of usefulness after gaining their
freedom In order to aid her beloved
boys" TO accomplish this aim, Mrs,
Booth has opened the doors OF three
Hope Halls or homes for the home
less man upon his discharge from
prison.
Within these homes" said Mrs
Booth today. 5000 men have found
shelter upon their release until we
could get employment for them and
see them well started upon an indus
trious and honest life 1 ana happy 20
tell you that of this number 20 per
cent have truly reformed
For the maintenance OF the homes
which she has established. Mrs Booth
is personally responsible for the rails
ing of $4,000 each year. Not a light
burden" she explains. for just one
little woman to carry" That she car
ries il successfully, however, from
year 10 year. and remains one OF the
prettieSt women on the lecture plat
form in America. is the marvel of the
thousands who know and love her.
Has Simple Rules.
The rules of the Volunteer Prison
League. in which the Little Mother has
enrolled more than 5000, are very SIM
pie. The league does not make any
creed distinctions.
We are reaching Catholics and Prot
estants alike" says Mrs Booth The
question We ask is not what do YOU
believe" but rather what do YOU intend
YOUR life shall be after YOU have gained
your freedom Our principles are
strongly religious but We do not wish tC
bring in the question Of Crceds that have
divided mems hearts for so long
In her great work, Mrs Booth has the
cooperation of her husband. her son
and Of many Of the prison Wardens N
America. When she organized the frs
chapter Of the league. in 1896. she. witt
her husband, BallingtOn Booth, was N
command Of the Salvation Army.
We found il impossible in that or
ganiZatiOn." says she, governed as 4
is by ARBITRARY rule from a foreign
country. to organize with freedom anS
sucn work as the Volunteer Prison
League. which IS separate and distinct
from the Salvation Army
Mrs. Booth IS in Washington for the
purpose of placing her young daughter
| Theodore at school here. She VIII alsl
lecture tomorrow evening at New York
Avenue Presbyterian Church.