The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-07-25
He
SAYS IN
REPORT
Superintendent Declares Exc
buttons Are "Relic of Barbar-
ity"-Rum Cases Increase.

-Num Eases increase.
Hanging is attacked as q "relic
ofbarbarity" by General Superin-
tsndent William H. Meyer of the
District Jail, reformatory and
workhouse, in his annual report
for the fiscal year ended June 80
and transmitted to the District
Commissioners today.
Suggests Law Change.
at SENS strange" says Superin-
tendent Meyer in his report. that
this method of inflicting capital
punishment should exist almost
within the shadow of the Nations
Capitol.
at is not my duty or privilege
TO ask Congress for the necessary
legislation to abolish this brutal
method Of executing the law. The
officials at the Jail perform this
duty as well and as humanely as
It can be done. but even this falls
far short Of The best method Of
infIicitng capital punishment
superintendent Meyer reported
five hangings during the year.
He points out to the Commissioners
that careful study of his report
and that OF Julian A. Schoen. as
sistant superintendent OF the work
house, also received today, will
show that these institutions have
Improved during the year and that
they are now in comparatively
good condition.
Particular mention is made Of the
record of the institutions in regard
to escapes of prisoners, in which
statistics are given showing that
the rate Of escape for the year just
ended was only IS as compared
with IS in 1922 and 1.56 in 1921.
''It is a pleasure to note" the
report says. that although the
total admission increased from 1874
in 1922 to 1884 in 1923, the number
Of escapes decreased from 4S to 80.
Il strongly recommend necessary
legislation making escapes, at
tempts to escape and aiding or
abetting In escapes, a felony and
providing punishment therefor. It
will be impossible to prevent escape
entirely unless some punishment is
provided therefor
Mr. Meyer also points out that
Notwithstanding the comparatively
large increase in average daily pop
ulation, the expenditures were kept
within the appropriation, excepting
In. the matter OF an additional ap-
preparation of $4,000 for the pur-
chase OF coal for keeping the brick
plant at the workhouse in opera
ton.
He says the average population
increased from 290 in 1922 to 800
IN 1923 at the jail; at the reforna-
tory from 179 in 1922 to 1919 in
1923, and at the workhouse from
269. in 1922 to BAL in 1923 The
total daily average population was
6s2 in 1921, 1888 in 1922 and $50 in
1923.
Liquor jailed One-HaIf.
District superintendent Schoen
In his report says that though the
daily population at the workhouse
was greater by 70 during the last
fiscal year than the year previous
"fhere was no noticeable increase
Of misconduct. and as a result the
working efficiency increased.
OF 416 white male prisoners AT
fhe Workhouse during the year
the report states. $50 of them or
more than half served sentences OF
30 days or less while the same pro
portion ruled among the 1,119 col.
ored prisoners.
OF the SIC white male prisoners
225. or a little less than half, were
sentenced for intoxication, while Of
the 1,119 colored male prisoners 141
were for intoxication, 1872 for as
sault and seventy-three for cary
ing concealed weapons.
Nineteen white women and 159
coiored women were received The
point is made in the report that the
workhouse is badly in need of a
building IN which to house those
persons. who are tubercular or SUI.