The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-12-19
The Cause of OverCrOWding in
the District Jail
Bv BILL PRICE.

Congressman RATHBoNE of Illinois, new member of the
District Committee shocked the overcrowded
conditions the District JAIL which he visited and where he
found prisoners occupying small cells that built for
two being compelled sleep the floor
No wonder these conditions shocking. They have
long violation of every hygienc rule of
prison life and contrary the moral welfare OF prisoners
conducting they to and the spread OF evil
Being of thoughtful mind Congressman Rathbone may
the The natural thought would be that the
Jail lacks capacity Of that is the principal
at this time
# the Congressman however will further light will
find the fault with the failure of Congress
criminal courts Of Washington Congress has been urged for
years provide the required legal machinery for District
courts that civil and criminal work falling to them be
transacted with the dispatch which civil itgants and
indicted criminals entitled.
The Supreme of the District is in deporably
gesed condition This has been the for years There
not enough judges to attend to the jam Of business put
into the judicial hoppers' Is humanity impossible for the
up The civil calendars damned that in many in
it is not possible to bring cases hearings inside Of
two three years. This of works manifest in
justice to gants in prolongng settlements Gases of real
Importance to the public are necessarily delayed because
the justices of that court cannot reach them.
On the criminal side the situation is grave working in
justice the law and to defendants Indicted and
remain indefinitely whether innocent guilty the police
and prosecuting officials seek bring trial
OF those who are IN prison. then the cases OF those who
out bonds must be delayed
The very ends Of the law frequently defeated through
this condition of affairs Men are arrested on serious
charges but able to give bonds The prosecuting officials
naturally desire bring these indicted persons to trial
promptly possible while the witnesses upon whom they
depend for convictions available and the incidents
fresh in their minds The defendants in instances are
perfectly willing to have their postponed They depend
witnesses to away from the city, to become hay
their rec0ectons There time for tamperng with wit
nesses, for buying them off, resortng to threats
The prompt administration of justice is of the chief
securities of public order and respect for the law Long
delays have the opposite effect.
There should be at least three additional justices
Supreme Court bench with additional attorneys and employees
In the District Attorneys office handle criminal cases. paid
salaries sufficient to enable the District Attorney get the
services Of good men familiar with their duties.
The Court of Appeals should be increased by judges
to take of the appeals from the Supreme Court and
facilitate the clearing of the civil and criminal calendars Of
the lower court
Without these additions to the legal machinery of the
District the local Jail will continue be overcrowded and
our criminal laws will continue to be looked upon lightly
What criminals fear is quick action of the law from the