Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-09-08
TWO MORE. ESCAPE
! AT ST. ELRAbETKS
Hospital Wilt Revise Entire
System of Paruiing It's
Inmates. ::

Two. more inmates escaped from
st. Elizabeths Hospital yesterday
afternoon.
: Yesterdays ''elopements," as the
escapes are, called by officials OF the
big government hospital. made total
of four since Sunday On that day
two patients got away.
One of the men who escaped yes
terday is Walter Craig. whose descrip-
ton was given to the washington
police as being thirty five years old,
five feet five inches tall, weight 125
suit, black shoes and Army campaign
hat
The other is William J. Long. who.
although only fifteen years old, Is a
veteran OF the world war. He b five
feet six inches tall. weighs 135
campaign hat, soldiers Uniform and
black shoes.
Conditfsns Biscusaed.
of the City Club. who are conducting
an investigation seeking responsible
ity for the escapes, say that an I'M
usually large number of inmates
gained liberty during the past month.
Hospital officials, however. stated to-
day that the number of escapes has
not materially Increased, but that
they are being brought to the puhlic's
attention more now than ever be-
fore.
/. Dr. Arthur Noyes. assistant super
intendent of ST. Eliz2beth'A in an
interview with, a Star reporter to-
day, said the entire system OF paroi-
ing inmates will be revised
lowed liberty of the grounds stand
ia better chance of complete recov-
cry than IL they were locked up In
close confinement DR.. Noyes said.
/ these people are harmless but we
are not going to take any. chances
role patient to determine whether he
or she should be allowed freedom
OF the grounds"
DR.. Moves also said there will be
some "readjustmem" of the personnel
Of tina hospital staff, in order to pre-
vent further escapes and occurrences
of the tragedy Of last Saturday night
when one inmate killed another and
escaped The, murderer was eventu-
ally captured, after being shot by an
employe of the institution.
|. Asked If the report that Congress
had failed to appropriate; funds SUM-
cient adequately to guard the tn
mates were true, Dr. Noyes said:
mo, that is not correct. Congress
has been quite generous with this in
stitution In the last couple Of years.
Through an Increased appropriation,
we, were enabled to increase the sal
aries OF guards and nurses and thus
be in position to obtain additional
help Of a better quality
Expects Improvement.
Dr. Noyes saih that with the cpm-
pletion Of a number Of reforms plan
ned for the hospital he expects
things will be generally improved"
He said the hospital was overtaxed
during and Immediately following the
war Only hast week. he said, ITO in
mates were received in one day.
This" he added. 's0rt Of upsets our
routine o hit"
There are 1861 inmates at St Elisa
bstEs Hospital. and Gil guards are en-
pIoyed to see that they do not escape.
The quota Of guards. It was said. II not
quite comp7ete, but it il regarded Is suf-
6aient for tho present capacity Of the
institution.
Tho Star pointed ont on Monday that
ono Of the gates to tia institution bad
been kept unlocked, hat sthAt 1t svAss1insg
secured DR.. Noyes, in simplifying this
Of tho escapes were effected through this
CONGRESS failed to appropriate funds
for the erection Of gate house at this
point, 1t WIS said Since the tragedy
OF Saturday night, . sman wooden shack
has been moved to this gate to house
q guard.
DR.. Noyes said the gate was allowed
TO remain unlocked because many hos
pital employees used the entrance eontin-
uaIly.