Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-10-19
FEDERAL PRISON INQUIRY SURE
Julian Hawthorne Expected to Testify
William Schley Howard to Make Personal In
vestigation of Authors Charges of
Cruelty and Underfeeding.

It Is definitely established that the
Atlanta Federal Prison will be the OBJ
tect of investigation by the United
states Department of Justice, as a
result Of the revelations by Julian
Hawthorne, the novelist, and DIR. w.
J Morton, his friend and fellow pris-
oper.
Almost with their first breath after
their release from the penitentiary
Wednesday they charged criminal
cruel treatment for minor offenses
IN underground hole in which pris-
aners are confined for little or moth
ing, and a general policy of repres-
sion at the prison.
Already the story has gone from
end to end OF the country. In In
Ffana polls, where Warden w. II. Moy-
or. Of the Atlanta prison, is attend
ing the Prison Congress, it inspired a
hurried telegram from the Warden to
Attorney General McReynolds in
Washington, setting forth Haw-
rhorne's charges and demanding an
investigation In Washington it stir
led the Department Of Justice to the
immediate decision Of an investiga-
ion. In Atlanta it has stirred the
public and attracted at once the at
ention Of Congressman William Schley
Howard.
Howard to Push Inquiry.
81 am going to start an investiga-
-s-n Of the Atlanta Federal Prison
S.nm Ton 10 bottom" said Mr.. How
ad. ~ know that what these two men
have said is true in part, if not alto
Ge,her"
TIE Congressman will make per
sonaI inspection Of the prison imme-
otately before requesting any official
Investigation of conditions by the de-
I.artment at Washington
The story Of the two noted prison
grs came as a distinct shock to At
}suia. where the Federal Prison was
generally acclaimed the model prison
o, tine United States. not before has
breath OF sus picion been cast in its
direction. The baseball league with
n the walls, the prison paper, the
frequent concerts, the music meals,
an were held up as evidence that here
WAS an unusual prison.
Al these things impress the pub
lie said Hawthorne. upon his re-
lease while beneath the surface
how. ir Of t-onraSSipv
and cruelty and a policy of feeding
that brings about a sure physical de-
terioratiOn among the men"
Gives Average Prison Meal.
The average prison menu outlined
by Congressman Howard, who is
prone TO believe in Hawthornes
charges, is as follows:
Breakfast-Irish potatoes. bread
butter and black coffee.
Dinner-Boiled beef (about three
times a week.. baked potatoes or
cabbage and bread. Sometimes string
beans are served instead of one of
the other vegetables, but never but
ono vegetable.
Supper-Hot rolls and syrup or one
'lird OF d pie.
Anyone can see that this is not by
any means sufficient for a man who
has to engage the greater part of the
DAY in manual labor" said Mr.. How
ard. ANY man who has to put up
with this sort and amount of food
viii suffer an impairment of health.
"One reads much of the cleanliness
Of the prison, of baseball games, Of
prison newspapers" he continued.
But know that playing baseball and
editing a newspaper on an empty
stomach is small enjoyment even for
man who is detained against his
will"
The Congressman also declared that
lie knew something of the use of the
hole" or chamber for solitary con-
itnement, Of which Hawthorne and
DR.. Morton talked.
Denied and Corroborated.
Il am familiar with the methods
used in regard to the hole or soli-
tary confinement also" he said. ITO
what extent solitary confinement IS