Evening star., 1923-03-07
LAUDSCOND|T|0NS
ATD.C.'W 'W0RKH0USE
Rev. D. R. CoveII Declares Re-
port That Vermin InfeStS
Occoquan Is Unfair.
PRAISE OF MANAGEMENT
Comment Favorable and Adverse
on Statement Recently Made
by Charles B. Benns.
PRAISE OF MANAGEMENT

Rev. David r. Covell. pastor OF
Trinity Episcopal Church, and social
service worker. who has been in
touch with conditions at the Oc-
coquan workhouse for the past five
yeara today came out in strong
praise of conditions at the institu-
ton. in statement in which he
characterized the administration
there as the finest obtainable."
Rev. Mr.. Covell's statement resulted
from n statement yesterday issued
by the Laymen's Service Association
which announced the report of
Charles p. Benns, who addressed the
association Monday night and charg-
ed he had seen four distinct types
OF vermin at the workhouse on a
recent visit. He urged that the lay
men in capacity of citizens do every
thing possible to correct insanitary
conditions at Occoquan.
Mrs. Covel Disagrees With Report.
Rev. Mr.. Covell said that he him
self did not accompany Mr. Benns
to OccoQuan on the Sunday after
noon Of his first visit to that insti-
tuition, but that Mrs. Covell. who has
been interested in Institutional work
for many years, was in the party.
Mrs Covell Goes not agree at all
with the report of conditions there
Both she and her husband are in ac-
cord in the belief. declared Rev. Mr.
CoVeli; that an attack upon such
grounds as the discovery of roach
or two at Occoquan is not justified
and is unfair.
why, I've a mouse in my own
house." declared Mr.. Covell. II know
IT for I've been trying to trap it for
months. Is that any reason for a
ORGANIZING
house? Mrs. Covell and myself have
had free access at any time to the in
stitutfon during the past five years
and We have never found conditions
We are blessed with having Mr.. Moy-
er as the chief Of Occoquan. He works
efficiently not only with his head, but
he also works with his heart. And
he has a big heart.
All Of the party that attended the
visit to the institution that Mr. Benns
speaks of, my wife tells me, were most
enthusiastic about II. l understand
that Mr.. Benns had no official connec-
tion with the group other than that he
ices and his automobile in getting
them there
Ranks With Best Institutions,
Not only in equipment, but in man.
agement, according to Mr.. Covell. does
OccoQuan rank with the best-manaeed
institutions Of its kind in the country.
Rev. Mr.. Covell added that he had
spoken to Bishop Alfred Harding
tude on occoquan conditions. and
that Bishop Harding had announced
the intention of writing to Supt
Meyer. conveying the information
that the Episcopal Church in no way
is concerned with the report made by
Mr.. Benns. Rev. Mr.. Covell said that
Bishop Harding expressed his pleas
ure at the announcement of the pas
tors intention to write to Mr.. Mover
and tell him that he shared a direct
Iy opposite view to that of Mr.. Benns.
Compliments MIR. Benns.
President E. E. budding of the
Prisoners Aid Association, on the
other hand. in an open letter today,
complimented Mr.. Benns on his
bravery In the ATTACK" upon the
''hog combine"
In his letter to Mr.. Benns he said.
in part:
IT have been fighting that den for
two years. You did not see
all that is wrong at Occoquan. The
place Is as badly mismanaged as it
would be If the most ignorant con-
vict down there was the boss. Just
as we'll try to drown a duck as to
improve conditions at Occoquan; it
can't be done. sss thank Won
very much for your bravery in your
attack upon the hog combine"
He also made reference to the Moy-
er administration declaring that
"Moyer has proven that he can't run
a prison"
william H. Meyer, superintendent
Of the workhouse at Occaquan, stated
today that there might be reaches in
some OF the buildings there. but that
he had not seen any other vsrmin.
He called attention to the fact that
the structures at the workhouse are
all frame and that they have been in
use for more than twelve years and
that reaches will occasionally get
into any building much less a frame
one.
1t was learned at the institution
that the rest hall In which the serv-
ices were held when Mr.. Benns was
present is scrubbed every day except
Sunday. and on that day it is swept.
Mr. Meyer said that daily report
sheets are given him on the condition
of the building and that If employees
found any condition that needed cor
rection they would report it to him
on these statements.
Commissioner Rudolph, who super
vises penal institutions. stated today
that if any citizen has information of
conditions which he thinks need at
tention he should go to the proper
authorities with It before taking 1t to
the public