Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-31
GRAND JURY LAUDS
WOMAN'S BUREAU
AS CONSTRUCTIVE
Work of Lieut.. Van Wrinkle Is
Commended in Report
of Jurors.

Commentator of the work of the
Womans Bureau, under Lieut.. Nina
Van Wrinkle which is described as per
forming constructive service to the
District government" features a spe-
cial report of the grand jury made to-
Gay to Justice Peyton Gordon in Grim
inal Division /. The grand Jurors re-
Gently had luncheon at the House of
Detention and thoroughly investigated
its operation.
The spread of the drug" evil is also
called to the attention of the court by
the special report, which declares the
dope peddler and addict are unQues-
tionably the greatest menace to So
ciety." Laxity on the part of certain
physicians and druggists is criticized
by the grand jurors. They point out
that some doctors write narcotic pre-
scriptions on blank paper torn from a
memorandum pad, a paper sack or what
not"
Favor Uniform Blanks.
Authorization by Congress of the use
OF specially printed blank, in dupli-
cate, such as are used for prohibition
prescriptions, is recommended by the
grand jury, so that a satisfactory rec
ord can be kept by the druggists.
All police officers of the District
prohibition law, say the grand jurors.
Attention is called to the ventilation
of the grand jury room at the court
house, where the health Of the % MEM
bers Of that body is said to be leopard
lied. Immediate action to remedy the
condition of the ventilation of the
room is suggested.
Visits to the various penal institu-
tons are outlined insthe special report
and some changes suggested General
appreciation is given all the ofiisials Of
the various institutions.
Report in Full.
The report reads:
1.-THE grand jurors Of the January
term, 1880, beg leave to report:
THAT on Wednesday March 10, 1880,
in its survey of the District of Columbia
penal institutions, it visited the House Of
Detention, supervised by Lieut.. Nina
Van Wrinkle, and observed the entire
operation Of the institution. The grand
jury was personally escorted through
Louisiana avenue and Sixth street
northwest, by Lieut.. Van Wrinkle and
inspected the kitchen. dining room, DOR
mitories, Offices, laundry, commisSaTy,
ETC., finding conditions suitable to the
needs of those housed therein.
I'VE find this institution to be that
which its name implies, a house of de-
tention-and not an establishment of
incarceration for persons convicted of
crime. All inmates of the House of
Detention are females, some held as
witnesses, some for investigation and
for other purposes, but IN no instance
are the inmates detained when cases
with which they are connected have
been disposed of. Tt is proper, for the
reasons above stated, that the inmates
OF the House of Detention should not
be treated as the general run of con-
victed law violators housed in penal in
stitutions.
Lieut.. Van Wrinkle Lauded.
Lieut.. Van Wrinkle and her assistants
are performing constructive service to
the District government. Their work
should be encouraged and every avail
able facility possible placed within their
power, in order that they can function
properly and serve the real purposes for
which this department was established.
Our investigation of the District Re-
formatory, situated at Lorton, Va, de-
veloped that this institution is being
conducted along the lines Of the strict
est discipline, yet with a view to the
safeguard Of the health and life of the
inmates. With the possible exception Of
such items as sugar, coffee, beef and
other commodities, which of necessity
must be purchased on the outside, the
Reformatory produces its own food sup
plg and Is self-sustaining.
with the exception of the admin
istration building, all others are fire.
proof in their entirely, the upkeep, re-
pairs, ETC., being maintained by the in
mates.
The grand jury was greatly impressed
with the educational work now in prog
| reSs at this institution. Trades Of va
| rious kinds are taught, such as printing,
plumbing, bricklaying, baking, music,