El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-01-16
JAIL is UP TO THE CONTRACTS
ARE NOT DEFRAUDEDI
Fl

y PASO county taxpayers seem disappointed the
n quality Of the new county iaiI matter which has
- been sgitating the public about $4,000 worth since
Two jail breaks have been attempted within week.
The first time five men sawed their way out of con-
neent and let themselves down from the roof garden
Jail to the sidewalk by means of knOtted blankets -Four
escaped but the fifth Overpowered by Waterman,
who Just then appeared on the scene.
On the second occasion, two men cut their way
through metal wall supposedly using pocket knife but
the night aer heard them in time to prevent their escape
from the brlding.
has caused widespread comment Citizens began inquing
whether the supposedly improbable steel walls floors
and bars made Of pot iron something less
substantial 1t said the ease with which the prisoners
made their escape suggested that tin might have been sub
tuea for steel and there was no little insstenoe that it
high time to find whether the taxpayers had been
dauded TO the end that suit to might be lodged
against the proper firm persons investigation Of
the jail bore out the impression given by the escape of the
prisoners.
There misunderstanding about the new Jail and
fairness to all concerned suggests that wrong impressions
vas installed BY the Pauey jan company IS up to spe-
ficstons County attorney W. H Fryer lost time in
starting inquiry after the second attempt at jail break
ing and undoubtedly would be making efforts by this time
to proceed against the jail company such action
warranted
The explanation of the escape of the five men is this
The steel work is not claimed to be empervous and
that understood when the contract entered into
II possible 10 through bars walls and floors in the
eel tiers But surrounding the cell tiers is grating Of
very high proof steel upon which in the county attorneys
investigation, files and failed make any impress
soH. This steel just hard the samples sub
Htted By the Pauley company when it seeking the
contract for installing the jail Those samples proved i'm
perous to any possible attack by jail breakers In this
hard steel grating door which affords communication
between the jail and the rest of the building Be-
Of someone's carelessness probably this door
left open the night the five sawed their into the
runway and got to window, the b>rs of which also
10 have been made Of comparatively soft metal Had the
door been closed il Is claimed the men never would have
been able to get cut Of the jail
Whether the specifications what they ought have
been debatabe The economy which allowed the Of
comparatively soft metal in the jail tiers and placed
lance altogether the hard steel grating surrounding
them may have been wise unwse. However it does not
sppar that the taxpayers paying for any than
they getting They TO have received in the county
jail Just what the county commissioners baTgained for
The Pauey company is highly reputable and has
been for years installing ja in various parts Of the
Try The Investigation indicates that the Jail company
lived up 20 its contract to the letter
There are but two recommendations be made One
that officials in charge Of prisoners be crcumspsct
the matter Of keeping that imperous outer door closed
The other is that incoming prisoners who might enter
tain false hopes Of escape be confronted with sign
thing ike this
please don't the inside of this Jail to pieces It's
expensive nuisance to replace even soft STEEL and any,