The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-08-11
URGES WAR WORK
BY MEN IN PRISON
Judge Wadhams Tells How
England Has Utilized
FelOns in Crisis.

A definite method for using prison
labor in war industries and utilizing man
power now barred from the military
forces because Of criminal records was
laid before the National Committee on
Prisons and Prison Labor yesterday by
Judge william II. V. Wadhams OF the
Court of General Sessions at the first
war work meeting. OF the committee.
which was held at the summer resi-
dence OF Adolph Lewisohn at Elberon.
y. j. Mr.. Lew!sohn is CT aiIman of the
committee.
Gov. Walter E. Edge of New Jersey
spoke. urging that a method should be
found by which the State could put eff
fectively to work the hundreds OF men
now confined in penal institutions, He
urged. however that no plan should be
adopted which would put the prison la
Dor in effective competition with free
labor. and said that in his Judgment,
with conditions as they are. under the
stress OF war. such a situation is vir-
tually impossible.
Judge Wadhams has just returned
from a tour of England where he
studied closely the methods BY which
that country has solved the man power
problem so far as Il refers to felons
either in prison or who have served their
sentences and have been freed.
TT e main task before the country to
which all its energy should be devoted.
said Judge Wadhams, lis the winning
OF the war. and while various phases OF
society are being organized for their
most effective contribution tie use OF the
men who have been committed to pris-
ahnpld ha nyarlnCked This must
not be confused with an option to Join
the army or 60 to Jail Such an attitude
on II e part Of the courts is properly con-
demned, The crook in the army Is more
of a burden than an asset.
"On the other hand a distinction
should be made between the crook who
| Is bent on crime and the physically and
| mentally defective, who are UNIT fol-
| military service. and other men who
| although they have violated the crimina
| law, may nevertheless not be crim!na
In the generally accepted meaning Of thu
term, or whose conduct since the com
mission of their crime has demonstrat tee
that 1t was but a single instance ant
not likely to be repeated.
| AT present all men are excluded from
| the draft and from volunteering WHIT
have been convicted of felony at an,
| time in their lives. Many of these meI
| are capable and competent to perform
military service. Some. for example
were convicted of carrying firearms o.
| OF having taken part in fight anC
having committed assault" Judge Wsd
hams suggested an examination by tn,
military or other authorities which
| would reveal clearly whether such a per
son were not row quite capable OF mill
tary service.
Many men may undoubtedly be pu
| upon profitable war work while they ar
| serving their sentence. and bill ap
proved by Federal authorities is now be
fore Congress for tho purpose of equip
ping the prisons and providing for tn
utilization Of prison labor In the manu-
facture. of war supplies. This alread,
has been done in, q large way in Eng
land. The prisoners there are MAXIM
air service equipment baskets for III
army, hammocks for the navy. haver
sacks, equipment for military stables an,
transport service. roped coal bags and
| multitude OF other items.
| Many OF the men now serving term
might more probably be used in wa
| work outside Of prisons than in them
This does not mean general Jail de
1 livery. but It does mean a use OF ava liza
BILE man power" ~
Judge Wadhams suggested a careful
study. either by specially selected board
or by the present selective draft boards
and report to the Governor. upon whicl
that executive might exercise a judiciou
use OF his Communication power. the pris
oner to be pledged to serve all of hi
COMMITTED time in war industry. II
said such a system of communication o
pardoning could be coordinated with tn
national employment service so that tn
released prisoners might be put to worl
where they were most needed.
The experience of England In the us
Of men who have served their terms an
been released. covering some 1000 pris
oners, Is as follows" Judge Wadham
continued. "a record of eight month
was kept. with the following results
$40 killed In action. 40 died Of wounds
81 died Of sickness and 1880 more O
less seriously wounded. The brighte
side showed that 20 were mentioned 1
dispatches. rs received the Distinguish
Coa:GS medal. were missione
and 3 received 80 victoria Cross. Tha
Is an honor that can be won only by IN
grea test possible bravery.
I'VE should make use of the prisoner
in the United States TO win the war. w
should use their labor in the prisoni
When their qualifications are determine
by n proper board. We should use ther
on probation outside of the prisons.
special cases. where 1t has been demon
strated that. in spite of the fact ths
they have violated the law. they hav
nevertheless reformed and are capabl
OF military service they should b
drafted. They should not receive exemr
ton merely because at some time
4. Ia.