The Washington times., 1917-10-11


clients to testify unless the inyestiga-
ton were held in open meeting.
"The signers Of the letter." says the
report, being at the District build
ing, were invited into the board room
and were Informed that the conditions
contained in said letter could not be
complied with; that the Board of
Charities was instituting an investiga-
tion for the purpose OF informing the
Commissioners Of the District OF Co
charges contained in the letters
hereinbefore referred to were founded
in fact; that their duties were Investi-
gatory, and that the board had no
power in the premises to act upon any
condition OF facts found, but was linn
tied to the duty Of advising the Com
missioners after investigation; that
since the creation OF the board the
Investigations had not been held In
public, and for obvious reasons: that
the partial statements of witnesses.
which might or might not be on full
investigation substantiated, published
from time to time, would seriously
interfere with the proper direction Of
the penal institution IN question and
would create conditions. among the
inmates of such institution that would
interfere with the purposes intended
by law; that counsel could not be
permitted to every witness or to any
witnesses, because they were wit
nesses and not parties: and that for
these and other reasons. II would be
unuseful and impracticable to hold
hearings of the board for the pur-
poses of Investigation merely in
public.
"Whereupon the counsel who had
signed the letter stated that they
would not submit their witnesses or
their proofs, and withdrew to find in
their own words, another forum in
which to tell the American public the
story Of occoQuan workhouse.'"
CommIssIoners' Statement.
Following is the commissioners
In regard to the report:
"The Commissioners have approved
the recommendations OF the Board OF
Charities after most careful consider
alton. They believe that II the com
plants OF unbearable conditions at
Occoquan were, made In good faith,
that the complainants should have
come forward with the testimony
when given an opportunity by the
Board OF 0Aarities.
"As a matter Of fact, the District
at OccoQuan IL an insti-
tuition of which the Commissioners
are proud, and which is a source OF
pride to every citizen OF the Nations
Capital. II represents an advanced
step in the development of penal in
Its pre-eminent position is generally
by competent authorities
throughout the Union.
Gopen Treatment
at is an Institution wherein cells
and grated doors, and locks and
stockades have been displaced by a
system Of dormitories and open treat
ment, for the purpose of emphasizing
the reformatory character of the in
stitution as distinct from It's punitive
character. II Is most unfortunate
that some prisoners lately have seen
action permitted in this modern insti-
tuition under this advanced system OF
penal treatment
the Occoquan workhouse. Every
made by any prisoner, visi-
tor. or other person, whether based
upon knowledge OF fact or credsnce
Of rumor. will be Investigated, and
II any condition that should not exist
Is discovered to exist, 1t will be cor
rected.
For the present, the Board of
Of the District of CO.
lumbia is content to approve the rec
Of the Board OF Chari-
ties"