Evening star., 1919-11-08


estry work on the rougher sections
Of the tract that are not suitable for
tillage. and in crushing stone for the
road building and concrete work.
These varied activities have given
an excellent opportunity for train
ing in the various branches OF con-
struction work. and many OF the
men have prohted greatly by it. The
man sent to prison must lose In
in the community In which he lives.
and at his return cannot regain 1t
Immediately. He must accept what he
can get in the way OF work, often
the most menial labor. II he comes
from a close prison where he will
est work to do. he has lost even the
strength he had when committed. and
is physically unable to do the only
kind Of work open to him. Before the
first day is over he is utterly exhaust.
ed and discouraged and turns
either to liquor for stimulant or the
easier life that dishonesty promises.
with return to prison the Inevitable
end in either case.
The man who leaves. the District OF
columbia's farm goes out physically
fit to meet any demands on him ana
with the knowledge that hard days
work without the help OF stimulant
is entirely possible to him.
Summary Of Results.
ITO summarize, then. the results Of
experience with the Districts farm:
1t has given to the District of Co
lumbia an area Of productive land
and orderly forest in the place OF
rocky wilderness. and well construct
ed buildings at minimum cost. TO
hundreds of debauched and enfeebled
men it has given that upbuilding
that must precede any lasting moral
effect. a training in work that is al
wise completes unfairly with free la
Dor. ana the greater freedom and
closer knowledge of the individual
possible under these conditions have
bred a spirit Of friendliness that is
evidenced no less by faithfulness in
gratitude and good will on the morn
ing of release Two Of the states
have already taken up this work
with success, and others are becom-
ing interested in 1t and will doubt
less follow the example. All these
and desirable to justify the instttu-
tion's existence in the past and to
give hope for the future.
'In conclusion I want to say that
/ am not alone in my opinion that
the District Of Columbia farm 10 the
every inmate here has also the same
opinion.
"The institution is located at oe-
coquan, Va, about twenty miles south
of Washington. 1t has a population
of about 500 inmates. There are two
one for women. 1t has a complete
storeroom where all the stores are
kept, a modern dining room where
about $50 men are fed and three large.
airy dormitories. two for colored and
one for white. 1t also has large
rest hall, in which the men on Sun
days read. converse. play checkers
and DO those, things which will pass
the day.
mo fence of any kind is around
this institution. no locks or bars, and
there are but few escapes.
Praise for Officials.
THE superintendent, Charles c. Fos-
ter. and the assistant superintendent,
minded and deep-thinking men, and
the right men to govern an institu.
ton Of this kind. The citizens OF
Washington and elsewhere should
feel deeply conscious and appreciate
the splendid work done by these two
which are sure to follow their un-
selfish and intelligent efforts. &c
THE writer is convinced that all
that they have done will be fruitful
of good. and will bring about results
that will help forward this humani-
tartan purpose and object.
when q man enters the doors of
q prison, there sentenced by judicial
authority, having been duly convict
ed of crime. certain 1T is that the door
of hope should not be closed against
him, and the spark of manhood made
to grow cold and finally die. Bad
as man may be, wrongs and griev-
GUS wrongs though he may have COM
mitted. there must be somewhere
within him an ember of righteous
thought and action.
"It is that ember society must lay
hold of, fan it; II possible, give 1t life.
This Is not sentimentality, 1t is the
fulfillment of duty imposed upon
all mankind by the Man of Sorrows
that is, to help those who are de-
spised and rejected of men.
But while society strives for bet
ter methods in it's prisons, it must be
admitted that, in the order of con-
sequence, the highest value should
be given to keeping men out of courts
and out of prisons altogether.
other reforms, must come through
public education: and education that
is at once safe and sane is of slow
growth.
THOMAS DUDLEY MOORE.
"July 90, 1919"