Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-11-06
WORKH0USE LABOR
IN GREAT DEMAND
Farmers in Maryland and Vir-
ginia Interested in Plan to
Find Places for Prisoners.
THOSE OF BOTH SEXES
WILL BE GIVEN CHANCE
Cooperative Efforts of The Star and
Supt. Whitaker Are Proving
Successful.

Cooperative efforts of The Star and
w. H. Whitaker, superintendent of
the workhouse at Occoquan, Va, toward
finding employment for discharged
workhouse prisoners have produced so
many requests for labor of this char
acter that Mr.. Whitaker has found it
necessary to detail a special officer to
take charge of the work.
Two weeks ago The Star pointed out
in its news columns that many pris-
oners after serving their sentences land
at Union station without funds or en-
ployment, fall in with old associates
and speedily find their way back to the
workhouse.
1t was suggested that large number
of these unfortunates, of whom per-
haps majority are victims of the drink
habit, would make valuable help on
farms or other places removed from the
temptations of city life.
Mr.. Whitaker, who is endeavoring to
get through Congress an indeterminate
sentence and parole law so that work
house inmates may be properly condi-
toned for returning to society and
placed in positions of trust, indorsed
The Stars suggestion and announced
that he would be glad to receive ap-
plications for labor and would assist in
every way in finding work for dis
charged prisoners where they would
have a chance to make good for them
selves as well as their employers.
Many Applications for Labor.
Since then numerous applications for
labor of this character have reached
the workhouse head-so many that he
has found it necessary to organize a
sort of employment bureau which tenn
porarily has been placed in charge of
W. E. Edgin, assistant superintendent
and religious Instructor of the reform
atory which is being constructed at
Lorton, Va, and will be operated
jointly with the workhouse.
Mr.. Edgin. who was associated with
Mr.. Whitaker at the Indiana state re-
formatory, will be the latter's chief as
slstant in the management of the re-
formatory which is to house the Dis
tricts long-term prisoners. For the
present, he is giving much of his time
to workhouse matters, and one of his
most important duties will be the plac-
ing of prisoners on farms and in other
positions where it is believed they will
develop into useful citizens.
Until the parole law is provided by
Congress, the present plan of receiv-
ing applications for discharged prison
labor will bring far-rea ching benefits,
1t is believed. 1t is not expected that
every inmate given this opportunity
to improve his social, moral and eco
a.. I
is thought that majority Of them will,
II placed under the proper environ
ments, and this important requisite will
be: determined before any applications
are filed.
Chance for Women Also.
The plan does not apply to man pris-
oners only, but to women as well.
Farms or suburban homes that are far
enough removed from the influences of
metropolitan life and that are in need
of domestic labor may well afford to
apply for the services of discharged
woman prisoners. These inmates are
taught many domestic arts at the
oTkhouse, such as sewing, laundering,
cooking. etc. Many of them are victims
the proper home and working environ
ments they undoubtedly would make
good employees in most cases.
Male prisoners at the workhouse are
taught farming and various trades.
Many Of them are eager for work in
the world when they finish their SEN
tences. but as they usually arrive at
Union station without money or job
and have difficulty in finding employ
ment their despondency finds solace in
drink and it is not long until they are
on the road back to Occoquan.
1t IS such as these men who are capa-
pie and vast to work and, if given the
right, opportunity, would make good
nine times out of ten. that the wsrk-
houssJnapagement wants to help.
-, Gratitied at Success of Plan.
7 am gratiied by the success with,
which the plan is meeting so far" said
Mr. Whitaker today. Though it has
been only two weeks since the plan
was suggested, farmers in Maryland
and Virginia are manifesting consid-
erable interest in it, and when it be-
comes better known there undoubtedly
will be a big demand for workhouse
labor. Mr.. Edgin will give personal
attention to this work. will consider
the wants Of each applicant and en-
deavor to recommend only those who,
he thinks. will make good.~..I have
every confidence that this plan is going
to accomplish much for the betterment
of the individual and the social welfare
of the community at large" 49, 49,