Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-04-27
PROBE. RESUMED
BY LEGISLATORS
At THE WORKHOUSE
Committee Sat Today at the
Prison to Take Testimony
of Witnesses.
PRISONERS ARE CHEERFUL

he committee appointed by the Legs
/ lature to investigate conditions at the
workhouse resumed that work today. A
| preliminary start was made yesterday,
when the committee organized and OBJ
| tanned documents it desired, including the
report Of the grand jury's investigation.
| The chief work comprised exami-
| nation of prisoners, relative To for
mer conditions and any recent changes
| that may have been noticed.
| Before beinning today's work the legis-
| lative committee decided TO hold the ex-
aminatons behind closed doors, at the
| prison, so as TO allow the prisoners the
greatest freedom in telling what they
know and in expressing their opinions.
The committee arrived at the work
house about 10 o'clock and Immediately
got down to business. The first witnesses
called were the prisoners who are the
directing heads of the new honor ystem
They included George Lucas, William
Woods and William Fitzpatrick.
In addition TO the witnesses mentioned
above. Alfred Roach was also heard by
the committee.
They were examined as to conditions
that formerly existed there and as to
present conditions, all, apparently, being
pleased with the new order of things.
The decision To examine the witnesses
behind closed doors was made at the
request of the prisoners, who did not want
to feel under any restraint In telling what
they might have TO say and IN answering
questions.
HONOR SYSTEM.
The honor system, which was es-
tabished by Warden ). Plummer,
soon after he assumed the duties of that
office, is directed by one white man and
one Negro from each of the several shops
and forms of activity, these men being
selected by the prisoners. Under tho
supervision of the prison authorities these
prisoner directors have charge of the
discipline in their particular department.
II any rules are violated, they recommend
suitable punishment and ask the warden
to carry it out. The prisoner can appeal
10 the same honor committee, and If the
latter thinks the punishment has been
sufficient, a recommendation rs made 10
the warden that il be terminated. The
punishment may take the form of soll-
tary confinement. curtaiiment of yard
liberties and so on.
The men called this morning had been
selected by the other prisoners TO present
the facts in their behalf.
INSPECT woRKHousE.
Slight progress was made yesterday
afternoon by the comTnittcc appointed
by the Legislature to investigate condi-
tionS at the New Castle County Work
house. II is composed Of Senator's J.
Frank Alice. Jr, and Thomas f. Gorrnley
and Representatives William Lyons. jr,
and John t. McNabb and elected Senator
Alice. chairman, Representative LYONS
secretary and Charles G. Guyer, stenog-
rapher
Warden NJ s. Plunmer informally
received the members Of the committee
and showed them the workshops the
cells, the diningrooms. the kitchens and
the reirigerators. all OF which elected
favorable comment. The prisoners were
cheerful and highly praised the warden
for installing the honor system and
allowing them food in larger quantity and
of better quality. Since the honor system
was installed. week ago, there has been
but one infraC ton. A prisoner who refused
10 work because his employment was
changed from barber TO sewing machine
operator broke the new rules and was
confined in the rams" cell. his fellows
fixing time for commitment and release.
The committeeman were told the food
per man casts - l-3 cents daily now.
compared with Is cents four months ago.
Samples Of food were exhibited. and il
was OF excellent quality. Two reporters.
who were guests of Warden Plummpr at
luncheon, tested the quality OF the
institution food, but the committee
arrived too late to partake of the repast
Legislators and prisoners frequently min
ged during the afternoon, and all enjoyed
the visit The warden enthusiasm for
and devotion TO his new work and the
prisoners Loyalty to him and the honor
system great. impressed the committee
Cash and tobacco prizes for work are
recent innovations that please the prison
ers Daylight saving is also appreciated
as il gives additional time for baseball
and other sports during recreation hours.
The committee devoted the entire after
noon TO preliIpinar:es incident to the
Investiga ton.
Yesterday, it is understood, a former
convict, who had appeared before the
Legislature started out here with one OF
the members of the committee, with q
view 10 assisting the committee, but as
the others objected and the rules forbid |
4 former convict IN the prison, except on |
he is said to have turned |
back. At all events, he was not here.
Subjects independent OF the treatment !
of prisoners, it was said today will figure /
in the investigation. Some of the men, |
bers of the committee feel that il might |
be advisable to convert the farm, now |
devoted TO dairying, 10 general agricul- |
tural proposes, with view TO helping /
'eed the prisoners. The feasibility and |
idvisability of suggesting change there |
sill be considered after all of the facts
nave been learned.
Another subject to be gone into is |
hat of general employment of prisoners.
At present most of them are on the con-
ract labor job. This viii be inquired into
md if the committee can suggest a
oetter plan for employing the men it
will do so