Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-13
REFERS THE PROTEST
President Acts on Objections
to Reformatory Site.
HEARS PROJECT DEFENDED
Sends Natter to Fine Arts Commits
sion for Settlement.
MILLET UPHOLDS SELECTION
Mt. Vernon Regents Declare That
i Proximity Of Institution
:. Would Be Menace.
HEARS PROJECT DEFENDED
MILLEr UPH0LDS SELECTION

Would Be Menace.
Following a conference today with the
District Commissioners regarding the pro-
test of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Asso-
citation against the plan to locate the
District reformatory at Belvoir, Va, Pres
ident Taft referred the matter to the
commission of fine arts, Of which d. II
Burnham of Chicago is president, for set
Element.
The regents of the association yester-
day informed Mr.. Taft that the reforma-
tory, which is to be established on a site
three miles west Of the historic home of
George Washington, would be a menace
and that the property would be open to
depreciation from escaped criminals.
Mr.. Taft promised the regents that
he would give his immediate personal
attention to the subject. and this morn
Ing he had the District Commissioners
go over the whole situation. While his
attitude so far is non-committal, it
is understood he will abide by the de-
cfston &c the art commission, composed
of artists and architects. and make a
ruling In accordance with its report.
Why the Site Was Chosen.
Commissioner Rudolph told the presi-
dent that $4,000 had already been paid
for the tract of land located on the
Potomac river, about seventeen miles
from this city and three and a half
miles from Mount Vernon. He added
that the site for the new reformatory
was selected because Of the advan-
tageous price. and that no other suit
able site ON the river north OF Indian
Head could be obtained. owing to ex-
cessive price and the importance Of OBJ
tanning q tract of the size required.
The Commissioners pointed out that
Belvoir Is particularly advantageous
ON account Of its frontage on deep
water. afrording cheap water transpor-
Occoquan. Va, having been located by
reason Of its proximity to the river.
this economical reason also guided the
Commissioners in the selection Of the
could deliver the prisoners and material
TO both sites.
The whole of the tract Of Belvoir con-
tains about $500 acres and Is well wood
ed. particularly along the river. In To-
eating the site the Commissioners ex-
planned that they chose the portion OF the
tract containing about 1000 acres cover
ing only that portion farthest away
from Mount Vernon. from which 1t is ef-
.fectiveiy screened by the intervening
Congress. In an act passed August 5.
1909. appropriated the money for the
land.
1T Is practically certain" said Mr. Ru-
dolph today. that in the development Of
this institution none Of the buildings or
their inmates will ever be seen from
Mount Vernon"
Millet Defends the Selection.
Il think it would be q good thing for
the prisoners. for people are more In
nusaeed BY suFFsundinss than you
imagine"
Jais II what Frank Millet, artist, archi-
tect and member Of the commission Of
hne arts. has to say about placing the
Distr1Ct's reformatory ON the tract, threA
and Q half miles by water from Mount
Vernon. Mr.. Miilets ideas form q part
OF the Commissioners records of hearings
and protests In regard to the reformatory
site. and were shown to the President by
the COMMISSIONERS today.
Il really dislike said Mr.. Millet, Ito
appear % much in the minority as op-
posing sentiment. because appreciate the
sentiment and the character Of it and its
training. but I must say / think 1t Il
a mistaken one. would like to look at
this question first from the practical and
then the esthetic point As Maj. hudson
said so well. some one else might build
the government to preserve the Landscape
better than any rich man. We can be
certain that IL the point be bought 1t viii
b preserved.
Now on the sentimental side have
visited jafis and prisons and have had
more or less to do with reformatories. ]
know you cannot establish an institution
Of that kind without antagonizing people
and infiicting hardship.
In regard to the terrible menace, the
nYnYfmttv a ~ MnaavHk
that is largely proximity of the map.
believe, and ] should like to constitute
myself Q police force Of one to protect
Mount Vernon from escaping criminals.
II am great believer In the induence
OF surroundings. Maj. Judson only dwell
lightly on the contiSVity Of this reforma-
tory to Mount Vernon. / think II would
be good thing for the prisoners. fos
roundtngs than you imagine
supt. Dodge Tells Of the Opposition.
According to Harrison Howell DODGE.
superintendent Of Mount Vernon, the
Mount Vernon Ladies' Association Is sup
ported In its objection to the reformatory
being located on the site suggested by
many senators and Representatives. who
have been outspoken In their denuncia-
ton OF the project
The Governor Of Virginia Is earnest
IA Ms ENDORSEMENT OF the action Of the
ladies association" he declares. "Pa-
trfotic societies Of Virginia have already
sent u resolutions Of protest against
this sncrmity. and every patriotic or
9anasaktcn OF the country IL taking 1,
up. II b fair to assume that the local
Authorities will be influenced by the
Hood Of universal opinion and select {
site for the District reformatorY else
where than In the vicinity of the home
and tomb OF Washington.
Nuxr
mfsstoners. Congress will certainly take
the matter in hand to rectify this in.
Justice.
The character Of the Ladies' Asso.
citation Of Mount Vernon may not b
{ fully understood. The board is composed
Of . regent and vice regents appointed
from the different states. II Is bod,
Of women representing every part OF thu
Union. II Is the first organization o.
women formed In this country for pa
organisation Of any kind. except the So
cisty Of the Cincinnati. 1t was founded
In 1853 by Miss Ann Pamela Cunninghau
of South Carolina.
Work Of the Regents.
The present regent Of the association
IL Miss Harriet c. Comegys of Delaware
VINO 10 now IN Washington with ten o
the vice regents. representing the states
of Virginia. Maryland. Pennsylvania
Rhode Island. Michigan. West Virginia
south Carolina, Mississippi, Illinois an,
the District OF Columbia. II should no
be forgotten that this association ha
the community. The travel OF pllxrims I,
Mount Vernon has sustained . .tcar,hns