Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-10
Bar Against Reporters "Cov-
ering" Sinclair Is Removed,
Admitting Them.
DIRECTOR EXPRESSES
HOPE FOR COOPERATION
Newsgathering Fraternity Was
Never Formally Denied Entrance,
Official Statement Declares.

The ban on reporters assigned to
cover" Harry F. Sinclair at the District
Jail was lifted this afternoon by order
Of George S. Wilson, director of the
Board of Public Welfare.
Mr.. Wilson issued a statement an
nouncing that Maj. William L. Peak,
superintendent of the jail, had been au-
thorized 'in his discretion to receive
representatives of the press and to al
low them to have all legitimate news
facts"
The statement declared "there was
never any intention of interfering with
the legitimate prerogatives of the press, -
but that "it had become necessary tenn
porarily to deny admission of the pub
lie to the jail because the continued
presence of a considerable number of
people had interfered seriously with the
operation Of the institution"
1t was added that the director eX-
pressed his confidence in the co-opera-
ton of the responsible press representa-
tives so that it would not again become
necessary to impose any limitations"
Jail Radio Out Of Order.
Mr.. Wilson went so far as to let it be
known that Mr. Sinclair will not be
able to listen in on the broadcast of the
PreakneSS at Pinllico this afternoon.
The jaiPs radio is out of order, he ex-
planned. The oil man is the owner of
the Rancocas Stable, which has entered
Leucite in the big race.
Stories are going the round about
Io;~ -,
of his fellow prisoners. Having been
allowed to keep his money when he en-
tered the institution, he has been in a
position to present some of it to needy
colleagues, it is said. One report has
it that he gave IS to one prisoner who
was about to be released, and that he
handed 81 to another inmate who en-
gagged him in friendly conversation. Il
is rumored that when other prisoners
learned of these benefactions they lost
no time in seeking his acquaintance.
Prisoners usually are relieved of most
of their money on entering the jail
their possessions being placed in the
jail safe until expiration of their terms
Sinclair apparently was permitted to
keep his money and jewelry.
Heflin Denounced Censorship.
The exclusion of reporters from the
jail was brought to the attention of the
Senate by Senator Hef1in, Democrat, of
Alabama, who charged that the mil
lionaire oil executive was being shown
favors not accorded ordinary prisoners.
He denounced the censorship in strong
terms. Editorial criticism also had
been directed at Jail officials.
Lifting of the ban followed another
conference between Maj Peak and Mr..
Wilson.
Stating he did not wish to be consid-
cred as backing down." Mr.. Wilson eX-
planned today that he never had issued
formal order excluding reporters from
the jail.
"I just told Maj. Peake over the tele-
phone how felt about it. Mr.. Wilson
said. Il would like to see return 10
conditions as they existed prior to Mr..
Sinclairs arrival at the jail.
DisapprOves Character of News.
"You see, there were never less than
and at times as many as % persons
in the Jail Office during the first two
days after Mr.. Sinclair's commitment
Such situation as that was intolerable
The jail couldn't get down to work.
The welfare director expressed his
disapproval of the character Of pub
licity' that went out from the jail upon
the oil magnate's arrival. He said he
would like some sort of assurance that
in the future no more pink pajama
feature stories would be written.
I'VE don't want to treat Mr.. Sinclair
differently from other prisoners" he
stated. IT don't think the press has
any right to see Mr.. Sinclair while he
is in JAIL nor to visit his quarters any
more. Prisoners are supposed to be iSo-
lated, and we are going to try and keep
them So"