The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-11-19
FOR BETTER JAIL
Topeka Rotary Club Behind
Movement Here.
DR.. Crumbine Says the Local
Conditions Are ssFierce."
HE'S FOR 4 COUNTY FARM"
Arthur Capper Tells Of q Bill
He'll Introduce.

Shawnee Jail ImprOved-City
Lacks Facilities.
The Topeka Rotary club will get be-
hind a movement in cooperation. with
other organizations in Topeka to better
Jail conditions. Just what will be done
remains for future decision. At meet
ing of the club today. Arthur Capper,
gOvernOr-elect. stated that the signing
of a bill which would make it possible
to establish municipal or county
farm would be a pleasure of his admin
1stratiOn governor. Reports were
made on local jail conditions by DIR. S.
J.. Crumbine and Charles Mitchell
Guests of honor who made talks were
w. A. S. Bird, Judge Hugh MacFar-
land. and Judge r. +. Carver. president
of the Topeka Provident association.
DIR. Crumbine and S. c. Petit COM
posed the committee to investigate
conditions in the city Jail. DIR. Crum-
bine in his report characterized the
condition of the Jail as fierce"
DR.. Crumbine said: "Outside the
Jail looks as though it were some
building. When you step within you
realize that you are in some ancient
institution entirely out Of date.
"F1erce," He Says.
fierce to resort to an expression in
common use. One can scarcely use
moderate language in speaking Of it.
On iron frames that serve as beds
there is a thin coevring
There is no bedding and the beds
themselves are filthy. There is appar-
emily no attempt to keep the beds in
order, although we were told that the
pen is scrubbed out once or twice a
day.
= Toilet conditions should not be toll
Grated single day. There is a hole
in the floor through which a noxious
gas arises and through which rats
come, according to the prisoners.
Fed on II Cents a Day.
1.-The prisoners are fed on meals
contracted at eleven cents day and
cooked out on Morris avenue. You
can imagine the condition they are in
on a cold day! However, the prison.
ers did not have the appearance of be-
ing poorly fed.
BILE If there should be a case of con-
sumption that all would be affected.
There was one man there who looked
as though he might be a tubercular
victim.
Conditions in the women's quarters
the greatest need is for clothing and
adequate facilities for washing.
"Is was suggested that this place
might be used as a city market We're
alterations made. 1t is certain that it
would not pay to remodel it.'' "a -
Charles Mitchell and E. w. Rankin
visited the county Jail. I'VE found
conditions better than at the county
JAIL said Mr.. Mitchell. 1.-The present
sheriff has made an effort to improve
conditions. All cells have been painted
in the last two years and an effort
made to have things clean as pos
sible. Sheriff Kiene with the aid of
prison help has built in a wash room.
No Place for Boys.
There is one big room in the ward
for women. The young women are put
in the same room with the women
facilities. There are two rooms for
boys-they are not put in with the
hardened bunch.
THE sheriff said the things most
needed were hospital and a dining
room where the prisoners could sit
down at a table. New toilets should
also be put in, and conditions made
more sanitary. There should be a di-
vision of rooms SO the prisoners could
be classified
Committee for Kansas City.
The committee composed of c.. B.
Merriam and Frank p. MacLennan will
report on the Kansas City municipal
farm at the next meeting Of the club.
Judge Carver, one of the guests, said:
''Our trouble is that we have been too
economical in respect to preventing
crime and reclaiming those who have
FALLEN into evil ways. We need above
all things a detention home. l see no
reason why the poor farm could not be
tried out
My hobby is u detention home for
children" said Judge Mcfarland.
Arthur Capper: 1T would be the
greatest thing that could happen il the
administration that will come into DOW
er soon after the first of the year would
nave a part in bringing about a county
farm"
Conditions Horrible.
w. A. s. Bird: Conditions have
been horrible: they are better today
but they are still horrible A man
would rather work than do nothing.
IN the past you have not done your
duty. gentlemen. 1 am glad to see
that you are getting light"
DR.. Guild, chairman of the public
anairs committee, which started the
present agitation, spoke briefly, say
Ing he was glad to see the work pro-
crossing SO well.
Those who will attend the dinner Of
the Kansas City Rotary club the even
ing of November 80 as special guests
are:
DIR. Roy B. Guild, e. w. Rankin. H.
II. Peppmyer, H. D. DriscoH, C. H.
Matthews. Charles MITCHELL. James
Hayes. H. B. Wilson, c. A. Karlan.
Herbert Dale. E. L. Overton, George
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