Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-10-23
WILL FORCE
us. PRISON
INQUIRY
Congressman Asserts Truth Of
Accusations Against U. S.
Warden Must Come Out.

Declaring that should the Depart
ment of Justice refuse to act on the
charges of unfit conditions at the Fed
eral prison, made by Julian Haw-
horne and others, he would carry the
matter into the National Congress,
Congressman William Schley Howard
in a statement Thursday reiterated
bis intention to force a full inves.i-
cation.
Mr. Howard stated that he would
Introduce resolution into Congress
upon his return to Washington ask
ing the appointment of a Congress
sianal committee to carry on this in
v=stigation. He avowed that this was
demanded in justification to humani-
~, if the charges proved true, and
for the exoneration of Warden Moy-
er, if the accusations are untrue.
Senator Hoke Smith, who made
TOUR of inspection of the prison We'd
nesday. refused to make statement
Thursday. He stated that he had
formed no opinion so far which ne
would make public on the sensational
allegations, and would not say what
his action would be when he returned
10 Washington.
Warden BIames Guards.
Warden William H. Meyer, who
bore the brunt of the attack for his
administrat zion of the prison, returned
10 Atlanta Thursday from Washing
ton, where he had a conference with
Attorney General McReynolds.
The warden ascribed the attack to
The work Of five or SIX disgruntlel
and unprincipled GUARDS and EN-
pioyees who for several months have
heen trying 20 break down the adj
ninistration in order to make vacan-
cies for themselves and their friends.
Mr.. Meyer declared that Hawthorn
and DR.. Morton should not be cen
aured for their complaints, as, ac
rcrding to his information, they had
promised to take thi- oction before
they left the prison.
Every man at the penitentiary
who had anything to do with this
movement" said the warden, will
have to face charges of insubordina-
ton and trying to incite prisoners
t. mutiny. 1t is their good fortune
that they are not now facing more
serious charges than these, but they
viii fare bad enough as it is"
Mr.. Towards statement follows
Congress Entitled to Truth.
Reputab BILE people have maze
charges as to the conduct of the Fed
eral prison. These charges in their
character are serious. Maltreatment
Of the prisoners is ALLEGED in that
they are not sufficiently fed and that
their physical condition Is being I'M
paired by the lack of nutritious food
and proper medical attention.
Congress Is entitled to the whole
truth about the administration of af-
fairs in this institution. If the De-
partment of Justice does not make
full, free and impartial investigation
| shall introduce a resolution upon
my return to Washington, asking for
the appointment of a Congressional
committee to visit this prison and as
certain the whole truth. If these men
are underfed Congress should know
IT, If the statements made in the
local press are untrue, the public
should know it in justice to the war
zen and other officials in charge.
II conditions are brought about by
hSuftlcient appropriations for sub
sStence the sooner it is known the
better it will be for the men confined
Il discipline is lacking the cause for
us existence should be determined
ana speedily corrected. If the most
drastic methods have to be resorted
TO-
80 far as l am concerned. this is
~ l nave to say until | speak with
s %e authority of Congress behind me
c %.t nose with whom l shall be asso-