Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-05-10
PLANS FARM HOME
FOR EX-CONv|CTS
Prisoners Relief Society to
Establish Institution in
West Virginia.

f. f. Dudding,- president of the
Prisoners Relief Society, yesterday
announced plans for the purchase of
a 1,200-acre tract of land in West
Virginia between Hinton and Alder
son, through which the society may
carry on it's relief work. and at the
same time announced that the or
ganiZation of which he is head is
making an appeal to the Rockefeller
Foundation for 100000, which, he
said. John d. Rockefeller ST.. and
members of the board of trustees
promised to the society-provided it
carried on successfully. This promise
was made in 1914, declares Mr.. Dud-
ding, at which time, he stated, MEM
bers of the society We're told to come
back 10 years later.
I'VE We're told that the Prisoners
Relief Society was in an expert
mental stage, and that the founda-
ton only helped success, and We
were told to come back in or 10
years, and if the work justified itself
that they would help us to the extent
of the amount we We're asking for
namely. 100000, Mr.. budding said
yesterday. Accordingly, this month
the society, which Mr.. budding be-
lieves has justified it's existence, will
make a formal appeal to the founda
ton for 100000. Along with the
appeal will he cited the alleged prom
Uses made by the foundation heads
more than 10 years ago.
Will Seek to Raise Funds.
1.-The money, if contributed by the
foundation, will be used in financing
the farm proposition, but if the eX
pected contribution is not received
the Prisoners Relief Society will en-
n - =, of 10,
anyway" Mr.. budding said.
According to tentative plans for the
farm, which is to be purchased for
$50 900 and in addition to including
1900 acres, has "a 100-room house and
other smaller houses on it, everything
in connection with it will be run on
self-suporting basis after operation
is once under way.
Cottages are to be built on the farm
for the families of convictS who are
in destitute circumstances; there will
be dairy farm, with between so and
100 cows; also a chicken farm; and
brick, to be used in building houses,
will be made on the farm, while am
pie timber is. now standing on the
place. according to Mr.. budding.
All work on the farm will be done,
he says, by eX-convicts desiring to
learn a trade. and such persons are
to be paid 81 a day and be given
board and working clothing.
In addition to making all necessi-
ties for the farm right at home"
Mr.. budding says cedar chests and
other useful articles will be made and
sold to the general public to yield
a good income.
Mr.. budding explained that several
years ago members of the society
made another appeal before the Rookie
Teller Foundation for funds, but were
told at the time that the foundation
contributed only to educational insti-
tutions. That the proposed farm will
come under the head of an educational
institution is now certain, says Mr..
budding, because there are to be
various kinds of schools of instruction
for teaching trades to former convicts
and otherwise educating them to earn
an honest living
Would Establish University.
The institutions of learning on the
farm are eventually to be a part of
the 'Letha Watts Memorial Univer-
sity," to be founded, and which will
be named after Letha Watts, a girl
who helped to found the Prisoners
Relief Society. I'VE have found in IL
years of dealing with eX-convicts that
the only way to keep them out of
mischief is to keep them busy" said
Mr.. budding, and pointed out that it
was with this object in view that the
farm will be operated.
AS nucleus for operating the farm,
plows and various kinds of farm nipple
ments have been donated by firms and
individuals and are now in storage in
the society's building at POI E street
awaiting the opening of the farm by
the society.
Mr.. budding declared that out of
1000 former prisoners dealt with by
the society that only IL have gone
back to prison, usually those who had
been unable to get work.
The work of the Prisoners Re-
lief Society has been indorsed by
numerous clubs and prominent in
dividuals throughout the United States.