Evening star., 1926-03-10
MEMBERSOF HOUSE
CALL FOR REMEDY
OF JAIL CONDITIONS
Five District Committeeman
Inspect Institution to
Prove Charges.

An inspection of the District Jail by
five members of the House District
committee today developed the convic-
ton. it was stated afterward. that i'm
mediate steps should be taken to
remedy the overcrowded and insani-
tary conditions there. The committee
members went from the jail into
conference on Capitol Hill to compare
the facts uncovered in the inspection
with the figures and statistics already
before them in the general movement,
now we'll under way, to provide addi-
tional facilities as soon as possible.
II was about 9:45 this morning when
Representatives Zihlman of Maryland,
Eeid of Illinois. Bowman of West Ntr-
yinia, Lampert of Wisconsin and Rath-
hone of Illinois. were admitted to the
big barred building at 200 Nineteenth
street southeast.
Escorted by Capt Ratherdale, in
the absence of Maj. w. l.. Peake. the
superintendent, they went through
the north wing, inspecting Pete
Martins" cell and others along the
route. interviewing prisoners here and
there and making inquiries into the
cause of certain conditions.
Prisoner to Talk.
Mr.. Reid found that the last two
days have been marked by a general
cleaning UP program at the jail, at
temnts being made with soap and
water to fix up walls that are in des'
nerate need of paint. He spotted one
prisoner, due to be released tomorrow,
who volunteered to give him inforna'
tion as soon as he got out. and VINO
will visit MIR. Reid tomorrow morning.
Mr.. Bowman inspected the Kitchen
closely. finding 1t in fairly good order'
clean and neat, but he also ran across
prisoner who bore out Pete
Nartin's'' petty graft charges, anent
the sale of a few ounces of sugar for
: cents in tobacco bags to new
prisoners. This prisoners name, ad'
dress and term were listed and he may
le called before the House committee.
Another prisoner volunteered the in
formation that he had paid cents
for a ragged piece of cloth to serve
as towel. His name also was listed.
Mr.. Zihlman inquired of guard
the purpose of a squirt gun which ne
had in his hand. Upon being informed
that it contained disinfectant, ne
Drobed further, unCOVeflnR tHe III
formation from the guard and from
prisoners that there was sort OF
rerpetual warfare being conducted
against bugs and cockroaches.
Floors Cleaned Up.
Air. Lambert specialized on the
f,oors. finding them-just after the
morning scrubbing down--in fairly
GOOD condition. Upon inquiry among
prisoners, however. it was developed
that lust before retirement hour. at
the very time when the floors of the
iail should be in the best shape for
prisoners to sleep on them, they were
fllled in many cells with refuse or
various sorts and other accumulations
of the day.
The dirty mattresses and bedding
came in for special attention from Mr..
Rathbone. W no fingered some OF them
and spent much time later rubbing
his hands on various appurtenances.
It's almost crime to make per-
sons sleep on such mattresses, ne
declared.
Ventilation Of the jail also came
into the inspection of the committee
members. Special attention was dl.
rected to the Is or IS inch by 26
or 30 inch windows which anorded