Evening star., 1919-04-24
new HEAD At JAIL
+. F0|LS CELL PLOTS.
Jackson, Accused as Slayer,
Held Key to Handouts;
Hoped to Escape.
OTHERS HAD IMPLEMENTS

But for prompt action by Charles c.
Foster, placed temporal ly in charge
of the Jail yesterday. following the
summary dismissal of former Supt-
Zinkhan. Washington might have had
another prisoner charged with murder
at large today.
Mr.. Foster, accompanied by De-
tectives Kelly. Wilson, Hughlett and
Mullen, searched the twenty-elgn.
prisoners charged with murder ana
homicide who are now confined in the
Jail.
Razors, nails and other articles that
might have proved useful In attempt
ed escapes were uncovered, but the
most surprising discovery was key
to. handouts found in the possession
of James Henry Jackson. on trial Tor
the murder of Miss Lillian B. Hood.
Search jackson First.
Summoned to Washington late yes
terday by the Commissioners to take
charge of the Jail until Mr.. Zinkhan.s
successor is named, Mr.. Foster. who is
general superintendent of the District
penal farm. comprising the work
house at Occouan and reformatory
at Lorton, Va. brought with him a
strong suspicion that Jackson was
planning getaway! ne was INC
first prisoner to be searched.
At OccoQuan yesterday Mr.. Foster
intercepted a letter written by jack
son to Cora Brown. workhouse pris-
oner, in which ne expressed the opln-
ion that he would see her Friday
When confronted with the latter.
Miss Hoods alleged murderer became
dieting statements. The key taken
from him did not At the handouts
used on the prisoner, but officials re-
gard it as certain that jackson was
He Was Immediately given a new
c@I. Likewise. all the prisoners at
the Jail held under murder and homi-
cne charges were transferred to
The jail was given complete over
hauling by Mr.. Foster. Although he
did not take charge until late yester,
and new ORDER had
out of the changes before night.
Experienced Jail Manager. q
Jail management is familiar sub
ject with Mr.. Foster. who was tailer
at Louisville. KY. before coming here
to assume charge Of the penal farm.
All three District Commissioners
spoke in the highest terms today of
results that have been accomplished
has directed the workhouse and re-
formatory affairs. They said they re-
GREETED to have to- take him from that
work even for short period, but that
conditions At the jail made 1t impera-
tive that a strong man be put in
charge there At once.
1t is-the hope Of the Commissioners
to be able to ind q successor to Mr..
Zinkhan in two or three weeks. Mr..
Fosters presence at OccoQuan espe-
cially Is needed now. al work 10 start
ing onFthe construction Of the per-
manent reformatory plant. During his
absence the reformatory will be man.
aged by Assistant Supt. n. NJ Bar
nard. while w. E. Hall. assistant su-
perintendent. will be in charge Of the
,5s. f.':-. -. 4
AS forecast IN The Star yesterday.
Mr.. Zinkhan's dismissal resulted from
conferences between the Commission
ers and the board Of charities. which
exercises direct supervision over the
Districts penal. charitable and cor
rectional Institutions. Deputy J. Cl
Howard and s. E. Garrett and j. A. 1
Haas. guards. were discharged with
Mr.. Zinkhan.
While the escape Of Herbert L.
Copeland. a colofed man awaiting
trial fer the murder OF three police
men, was contributing factor, the
Commissioners action was inspired
principally by Mr.. Zinkhan's admin-
sion that Deputy Howard. last Sun
day. had escorted Antonio di Bendetto,
accused Of killing his father-in-law.
to an Easter party and dance.