Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-03

Quick action by the administration
In meeting the emergency OF over
crowded Federal prisons Is generally
commended by the press, although 1t is
recognized that the use Of military
prisons can be only temporary, and that
The proposed comprehensive building
program involving the expenditure Of
several million dollars must be carried
out as promptly az possible.
Among those urging caution in the
matter In the New York Sun. which
says. editorially. In discussing the plan:
Law officers Of the Government should
see to It that the Army is never even
remotely associated with the subterfuge
and they should see to 1t that the
diversion of Army posts to convict pur-
poses be terminated at the earliest pos
Sible moment. Nothing could be more
detrimental to the morale of the per-
sonnet of the fighting forces Of the
Nation than Identification with the
execution Of the criminal processes of
the Government, and that Identical ton
It Is the duty of the administration to
prevent even 1T the cost of temporary
discomfort TO lawbreakers.
Although the Federal program has
been described only in brief official
statements, which, Of course, give only
its bare bones, 1t is quite enough" ac-
cording to the Detroit News, Ito reveal
the grave situation. Prison camps at
Army posts and the Army receiving
prisons in New York and San Francisco
harborS are to be used to their
maximum as permanent prisons until
vast new prison buildings are available.
Consider that! For Congress cannot
validate the new construction until next
Winter and, assuming its action then,
&hA urARk NmnAAf AaRaNlnfAA
years. It presses both upon conscience
and purse rs urgently as any other
question"
Probably 1t would be unwise," says
the San Antonio Express, Ito mix civil
ian and military offenders, and evident
" no such move is intended save as
. last resort Neither is 1t proposed
that the Army permanently give up the
Fort Leavenworth disciplinary barracks.
." The Government Is about quarter
century behind with prison conStruc-
orally, and during that period convic-
tions have grown FIVE times as fast as
population; so it is not surprising that
the prisons are 0verrun. National
prohibition Is only partially responsible
for this condition. The general crime
wave the spread Of the narcotic evil,
migration TO the cities and numerous
other factors enter into the situation"
In protecting the public against
criminals and In Furnishing the guilty
for their crimes" declares the Pasadena
star-News, there is no excuse for un-
sanitary, hnhealthful, uncomfortable.
revolving conditions of eovercrowding
and defective sanitation in prisons. So
ciety should set a better example than
this. Government reprehends crime.
including cruelties, and Furnishes the
guilty, including those who commit Of
lenses Of cruelty. What consistency Is
there in this If the Government
thrusts the prisoners into prison con-
ditions which are fiagrantly cruel?"
within q very short time after the
problem Of crowded prisons was
brought to the Presidents attention, as
4 result of the recent prison riots" re-
marks the Charleston Daily Mail, -
temporary and q permanent relief plan
had been decided upon and started on
their courses. Thus the Federal Gov
eminent can move with expedition and
an absence of q maze Of red tape when
conditions demand such action" The
Chattanooga Times feels that the
President will receive the hearty APP
proval and Endorsement Of all right
thinking people In his demand that We
accent our obligations in this respect
Ike civilized people" The paper points
out that che recognizes the fact that,
recurring submission to laws, the Gov
eminent is in honor bound to provide
for the humane treatment Of It's recall
citrant, for to do otherwise would rem
der the Government no better than its
law.bfeakers."
"The administration has no alterna-
tive" in the judgment of the Providence
Bulletin, but to improve conditions
that are known to be intoleraple In sew
eral Federal institutions. NET. Hoover
and his advisers are to be congratulated
for the prcmptness with which they at
tackled the problem. The support Of
Congress for the administrations SEN
sible program ought to be assured. /"