Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-08-31
CITIZENS TO FIGHT
DETENTION HOME
Mass Meeting Called in
Southwest Section-Court
Action Threatened.

The District Commissioners are faced
with another fight from citizens in their
efforts to locate the House of Detention.
This time the protest will take the
form of a mass meeting tonight by
residents In the vicinity of 90s B street
southwest, the building leased yesterday
by the District Commissioners after a
tedious search in score of localities.
The mass meeting will be held in
the Marvin Methodist Episcopal Church
at Tenth and b streets. According TO
william K Wimsatt, 9l0 B street. next
door neighbor to the new House OF
Detention site, vigorous objection viii
be lodged Immediately with the Com
missioners.
Would Go to Court.
IF our protest does not have imme-
date effect, we expect to go right to
court and get an injunction. Wimsatt
added this morning.
Meanwhile, in the face of threat
ened Injunction suit, District officials
have decided to stand pat. Commits
sioner Daugherty and Maj. l.. e. Atkins,
Assistant Engineer Commissioner, on
whose shoulders has fallen the burden
of locating a place for the House OF
Detention, held a conference early to-
day. Present were Mai. Edwin B.
Hesse, superintendent of"police. and a
representative of the Wardman Con-
struction Co., which owns the building
over which the dispute has arisen.
If necessary. 1t was decided to send
representatives TO attend tonight's mass
meeting to give the District Govern
ment's side Of the problem and per-
haps, also, q representative OF the con-
struction company,
Al any rate Lieut.. Nina Van Wrinkle,
chief of the Womens Bureau: Miss
Pearl Mccall, assistant United States
attorney, and several policewomen are
going TO attend the mass meeting 10
tell the citizens all about the House
of Detention.
we are going TO put our best foot
forward" Mrs. Van Wrinkle said, and
In the hope that the residents of this
section will see for themselves and ap-
prove OF IT,"
Expect Protests.
SO far as the Commissioners are con-
cerned, they appear to have made up
their mindes that no matter where the
House OF Detention is located ulti-
mAtSlyt Tie uSGiSioii 10 oooAi1 y" "'H'9
protest.
The present House Of Detention must
yacate its quarters at Ohio avenue and
Fifteenth street by October Is at the
latest. Owing TO the situation that has
arisen the Treasury Department re-
Gently gave the Commissioners ID days
of grace. The site Is 10 be occupied by
the new Commerce Department Build
ing. the foundations for which are be-
ing dug
Whether the Southwest Citizens As
ISOLATION would Join In the protest Is
question not yet determined. George
Yeatman. acting president of the assoc
citation, said IL would take no official &C
ton In the controversy unless 20 mem
bers signed petition obIecting TO the
location OF the House OF Detention IN
their midst. Should 30 members sign.
Yeatman said, he would call a speclhi
meeting 10 determine what course 10
follow.
Meanwhile, the knocks" which the
House of Detention has been receiving
are beginning to produce an unfortunate
psychological effect on the attaches OF
the Womens Bureau
Nobody seems To want us. said one
Of them today '''rhey didn't want our
children's home at Stanton Park and
now they don't seem TO want our WON"
ems building anywhere. Why we never
| trouble anybody Every location slig
| gested brings complaints from people
who seem to thick II would hurt their
neighborhood to 'thaye us there. We're
really very nice a I'D quiet and wouldn't
be an annoyance anywhere.
Obtained Injunction,
The protest OF the citizens IN the new
southwest location, Mr.. Wimsatt ex~
| planned is based not only on the claim
| that the establishment of the House OF
! Detention there would spoil" neigh
| borhood IN which 9B per cent of the
| residents are home owners af long ten~
ure, but because the building itself h
| unsuitable.
La announcing the leasing Of the
| building at 009 n street, II was stated
at the District Building that altera-
tons would be necessary. These, II was
| explained, would be made by the own
efs the Wafdman Construction Co, At
the expense OF the District,