Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-01-21
WORKHOUSE BOARD
IN MEETING TODAY
Executive Session This Afternoon;
Rumored That Staff VIII be
Changed.

A special meeting Of the Board of
Trustees Of the Now Castle County
Workhousa has been called by the presi-
dent, T. Alien liillcs, to be held this after
noon IN tho office Of the aecretary,
Judge j. Frauk Ball, mernber of the
board, and it's secretary.
Just what matters specially in rofer-
once to the workhouse situation will be
taken up could not TO learned from any
of tho members who could be reached.
The representative Of Every Evening
was told that tho moeting would be
executive, and when inquiry was made
as to what matters would be considered
WAS told that nothing could be given out
at that time except that, oil courso,
matters pertaining TO the workhouso
would be discussed.
There are 80 many of those matters of
recent development. including the escape
of Lsmuci Price, tho Negro under eeTs-
tonce Of death for the murder Of Policeman
Zobloy. and whose execution has been
twice postponed; the grand iury's invos-
tigation and report, severely criticising
conditions at the workhouso; the reply
of the board tn tho court in regard to the
grand jury; Judge Balls statement; the
statement OF Warden Richard Cross. hts
refusal TO resign and also his refusal To
take tho blame for conditions at the
institution resulting m Prce's escape
and tho consequent developments and
alibis-that tho board viii have wide
scope for its discussions this afternoon.
1t was rImorod that tho board at it's
meeting this afternoon will probably
insist upon the resignation oil Warden
Cross Color is given to thus report,
probably. BY the t0no of the statement of
Warden Cross. to the court Members
OF the board would not admit, however,
that action would bc taken today In this
matter Of the warden
That the board has the power 10 dis
miss ali employees at tho workhousc at its
pleasure is not denied, as they arc not
cmplovcd for any stated term. Whether
or not they will take summary action IN
the case Of Warden Cross, IN the event Of
his refusal 10 resign, remains To be seen.
1t il reported that Captain ross will not
resign. FROM tho tone Of his statement,
issued n few days ago, he evidences an IN
tcntion to fight it out.
The Cent, al Labor Union, st its meet
ing last night, discussed tho workhotse,
and insisted on public pFohc OF condl-
tions at the prison. he labor oTganiz4-
tion nut the matter up 20 Governor
Townsend and Attorney General Rein
ha7,it. and said that the disclosures ly
the grand jury warranted most rigid
investigation.
The secretary. Fred ". Stierle, was
instructed TO forward = communication -
the governor and attorney m
forming them Of the unions sentiments on
the subject The raissive condemns the
low wages paid inmates and employees and
the cheapnsSs which cha ac;eElhcs the
maintenance az the whole institution.
Recommendation s9c made that the
prison be placed in better sanitary
state. wages az in'nstcs when hired ont
be increased ard the salaries Of the
guards raised Il Is contended that tho
result of these increases would bc nore
efficient system mi around and would
eliminate the looscnlsss disclosed ny the
report Of the grand jury.
In conclusion 3 strictly impartial
and exhaustive pubic investigation Is
demanded on the ground that the pubhc
would not Be satisfied until il had tTallcd
respon> ibility to its official Jar. Il v.as
pointed out that an Investigation of thiS
cha acte- would enable tie blame to be
E!accd upon those deserving it and would
eliminate the confusion that has develop
ed in official quarters since the 6ndings Of
the grand jury were male public. Recon-
rnendations Of these investigators, lG was
urged should be strictly adhered TO.
regardless OF whom they might hit.