Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-12-18
GRAND Jury QUIZ
FOR JAIL KEEPERS
Guards at Moyamensing and
holmesburg Are Called for
Questioning Today
SOME REFORMS IN FORCE

The Grand Jury's investigation into
Moyamcnsing prisons will be continued
today with the examination of keepers
and other officials of the two institu-
tions.
The rrobe. which started last week
was ordered by Judge Audenried as the
result of articles appearing the EVE
MING PvRLIC LEDGER. Assistant Dis
trict Attorney John II. Maurer is aiding
tho Grand Jury during the invcstiga.
tion.
The jurymcn have ended their inter-
rogations of inmates and former inmates
of both county prisons and will now
conRnc their activities to officials in
charge.
In addition to the keepers It is cx-
pected that Warden Fred Cook who IS
In charge Of both prisons and makes his
headquarters at Moyamcnsng. and
charge of the IIolmesburg prison. will be
quizzcd by the Investigators.
DR.. Joseph NJ. Reeves. president of
the Board of Inspectors, and several
other inspectors. also may be called.
1t is said that the Grand Jurors
we're astoundcd by the revelations made
to them Saturday by convicts and
former prisoners. after being taken to
the Grand Jury room. told of their ex-
pcrienccs during their confinement.
Assistant District Attorney Maurer
said today:
~ do not know Just when the Grand
Jury will conclude its investigation
which has been most thorough and cx-
haustive. So far the jurynen have
made 1t a point TO talk to inmates Of
both prisons as to the quality of food
they get and the treatment they re-
ceive.'
Rules Are Modified
Modification of prison rules at
Holmesburg and changes in "dsrip-
ine,' in accordance with the order of
DR.. J. NJ. Badly. State Welfare Com
missioner. have been put into effect by
guards and other officials. but the i'm =
provements failed Saturday to prevent
the Grand Jury Of conditions at the
Jail.
w. c. Williams, just released from
Holmesburg is prepared to tell his
story to the Grand Jury. 1t concerns
petty protiteering among the guards ut
the expense Of prisoners.
According TO Williams, system
has been worked out under which pris-
oners trusted by the guards are per
mitted to violate the rigid disciplinary
rules so long as they have money to
pay for their privileges.
''Niaced" for SIS. Is Charge
Under that system. it is declared.
one convict who had obtained SO. was,
literally. 'maced' for that sum by
guard who threatened that if he
didn't give it up he would lose certain
privileges. An attempt was made tu
make the transaction look business. q.
like. however. and in return for the
S1j the convict got five bags of smoking
tobacco.
According to the same informant tha,
price wns not considered cxorbitant
under the system in vogue at Holmes
burg. lie asserted the guards put ur
have no use for money that came to
them. and that they might AZ well
spend it foc few comforts and lux
uries.
The former prisoner. who went tc
jail for forgery. revealed also the ex.
tent to which the strict rules have
been modified" by prison authorities
THE prison idea of variety ordered
by DR.. Badly makes little real differ.
ence in the meals" said Williams
81 left the Jail Friday morning last
Up to that time the only change made
was the addition Of single raw onion
to one meal. twice a week.
$50 far rs I could find out no one
up there intends to do anything more
about the DIR. Badly order than he has
to. They all believe the investigation
is going to blow over. Men ending
their terms are begged by the prisoners
still in the Jail to tell all about what
Is gOng on UP there.