Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-09-20
DETENTION, HOUSE
FIGHT IS RENEWED
Southwest Citizens Continue
Movement to Have Loca-
ton Changed.

The campaign Of Southwest Wash
ineton citizens to GUST the House o
Detention from its present quarter
took on added impetus last night, when
after a heated discussion, the citizens
association of that section adopted
resolution protesting the location OF the
detention home at 908 B street. or II
any other residential district.
The meeting, in the Fairbrothel
School, was largely attended, many Of
the members being forced to stano
throughout the meeting or to take
seats on the two stairways leading into
the auditorium.
Declared Evil Influence.
The resolution finally adopted was
introduced by Milton F. Barrett ano
charged that the House OF Detention
had been located in the best residential
secticn of South Washington lin utter
disregard of the peoples wishes, and
without their consent, ana mas grew
ously interferred withsthe!r enjoyment
of reasonable rights OF person ano
property" In another paragraph II
was declared that 1.-The House OF De-
tention has had bad influence on
the social character and moral welfare
of the community and has proved ex-
tremely damaging to property values in
the vicinity"
Copies of the resolution vii be sent
In ali citizens associations in an effort
to enlist their support, to the Dlstrlcl
Commissioners and to the chairmen CT
the Senate and House District COM
mitteeS.
+he adontion of a resolution asking
that in addition to removing the deten-
tion house. Congress be requested TO
make an investigation of the actions
If the District officials responsible Tor
>the location were defeated by vote
of 40 to 81.
Three Polls Taken.
The discussion of the two resolu-
tions became acrimonious at times ana
three polls were taken before the issue
could be settled. .o,o,,
The meeting was Temporarily pfokSn
I'D when one man insisted tnae oIly
Maid members be permitted to vote:
About 90 men and women who had
previously ignored request from tne
treasurer for dues walked up TO the
center table and paid the money wnlcn
entitled them to vote.
Rev. C. H. Cannon, pastor OF the
Marvin M. E. Church, said the House
of Detention is "demoralizing to young
,people in its vicinity and menace 10
the religious welfare of any community
az live next door to this penal IN
stitution." he said, land one day I saw
four small boys standing at window
watching four girls who were beng
held inside.
zone of the youngsters was discuss
ing che plight of the girl in the blue
dress and hazarding guesses as to VINO
abe had been out with last night.
This sort if thing" DR.. Cannon
declared. lis what we can expect regu-
larly If the House of Detention is per-
mitted to keep its present quarters.
DR.. BaIlOu Criticized.
DIR. Frank W. Ballou, superintendent
of schools, was severely criticized for
refusing to procure new site Tor the
jefferson Junior High School in South
Washington because "he feared the
commercial encroachment would even-
.tually drive residents to other sections.
The chairman of the school commit
tee reported that the present junior
high school in the Southwest section is
located at Sixth and D streets. within
as feet of a Freight yard through which
1000 cars pass daily. 1t was also
charged that the school was built in
1872 and 20 years ago was declared by
Congress to be fire hazard and unit
for school purposes. !.
j. Millard Hall was elected president
of the association. j. M. Schaffer was
chosen vice president, Mrs G. H.
knight, secretary; Mrs. E. Davis,
treasurer, and George Frazier, delegate
to the federation.