Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-10-27

ment of the agricultural resources of the
property. Forty acres of ground have
been fortified and put under cultivation.
During the first year there was raised
$500 worth of products. This amount
increased TO $500 the second year and
$500 the third. AS a result Supt.
Whitaker has asked that the item
of $4,000 for maintenance carried
In the current appropriation bill be re-
duced to $4,000 next year. 1t is be-
leved that this item can be reduced at
the rate Of 5000 annually for the next
six years, the difference being made up
by an increased output Of farm products.
Ultimately it is planned to have GO
acres of land under cultivation, which
will leave 500 acres of timber land in
reserve. In order to make the soil pro-
ductive it is the superintendent inten-
ton to put twenty-five bushels of lime
and seventy-five tons of street sweep
ings on each acre of ground. Ground
has been prepared for orchar ds. vines.
etc. and already there have been planted
1,oOo apple trees. 200 cherry trees, fifty
plum trees and 500 grape vines.
Whether the institution is to be put
on self-supporting basis within five
years depends on how readily a mar
ket for the disposal of its products
can be established According to En-
gineer Commissioner Judson. the Dis
trict government probably will be
able to use all the brick and crushed
stone manufactured. Negotiations may
be undertaken with the view Of dis
posing of some of the material to the
federal government.
The commissioners estimates for
next year include an item for the
purchase Of a So5,CsO tugboat and addi-
tional barges to be operated between
Washington and Occoquan. 1t is planned
to man the boats with prisoners. Car
gees of workhouse products will be I'M
loaded at the Districts new sand and
gravel wharf, and. in all probability, ad-
ditional wharves will be built along the
river front here.
The workhouse, at present is provided
with sixty horses and mules. Supt. Whit
taker has recommended that when the
District purchasing officer buys horses
for the various departments a. certain
Fer cent of his purchases be mares so
that when the animals have been con-
deilned and are of no further use to the
departments they may be transferred to
occoquan, where they can be used for
breeding purposes. In this way the work
house PLANT may furnish the local gov
eminent with all the mules needed by it.
The street cleaning department would be
OF such plan.
Supt Whitaker also has recommended
the building of an industrial railroad
from the wharf on the bank of Occouuan
creek to the institution and thence to
Lorton, a distance of three and half
miles. Such a road, he believes, would
mean tremendous saving in the time
consumed in marching prisoners back and
forth to their work and would be worth
approximately 5000 a year to the Dis
trct.
The application of new Psychological prin-
ciples has been one of the most interest
ing features connected with the develop
ment of the institution. Formerly Wash
ingtons population of workhouse pris-
oners was quartered in cells, securely
barred. No occupation was provided,
while little or nothing was done to i'm
prove the condition of the inmates This
is a condition that prevails in many mu
mcipal institutions of the kind
DormitorieS instead of cells are pro-
Vided at Cccoquan. The buildings, built
of wood. are but one story i'm height.
They are well lighted and heated. while
proper ventilation is afforded The hunks
are built on raised platforms running the
entire length of each building. The plan
for frame structures of the type erected
was advocated by Commissioner Judson.
While there was some opposition to this
dorsed by the members of the work
house commission and the officials in
charge of the institution. The buildings
many of which We're sketched by Com
missioner Judson himself, will last for
many years. it is believed, and meet all
anticipated needs.
Surrounding the dornitories is a stock
ade, the need of which is now questioned.
The stockade consists of tall poles set at
regular int rivals aid surrounded with
barbed wire. Under the treatment ac-
corded them, the prisoners have respond
ed readily to discipline, and while guards
constantly ara on duty, the inmates, with
few exceptions, have not attempted to
escape or cause the workhouse authorities
trouble.
The pathological system in vogue is
practical and just to the individual in so
far as the laws and regulations will per-
nit the management to go. Prison ''trus-
ties" have been permitted to take squads
of laborers to remote parts of the farm.
This plan almost invariably has met with
success. Every effort is made to prepare
the inmates for useful citizenship.
Although the system provides healthy
and practical employment for the prison.
ers during the time they are serving SEN
tence, the greatest benefits cannot be de-
rived, it is believed. until provision is
made for the retention of prisoners until
they can be thoroughly conditioned for
returning to society. For this reason, the