The Indianapolis times., 1930-09-30
SURVEY BRINGS
ACTION IN POOR
farm MISERY
PitifuI Conditions at Marion
County Institution Is
Barred by Times.
COUNCIL WILL MEET
Admit Finds Are Exactly
the Case; SquaIer
Is Described.
BY EDWARD C. FULKE

BY EDWARD c. FULKE
Spurred by disclosures by The
Times this morning that drastic im-
provements must be made at the
poor farm if inmates are to be
decently housed this winter, officials
at noon announced the council will
be called into session to discuss the
raising of funds for correcting the .
evils.
County Auditor Harry Dunn said
a call will be issued for councilmen
to meet within two weeks to con-
slider a $195,0O0 bond issue with
which to construct new buildings
and to make general Improvements.
Dunn and county commissioners
today described findings of The
Times as exactly the case" Dunn
said condition Of the institution
is awful"
Crowded into one antiqVated
building originally intended to
house two hundred men, more than
$50 aged male dependents now are
enduring what a member of the
board of county commissioners
termed "one of the most terrible
conditions in the county"
This condition does rot exist in
the women's quarters, where condi-
tions are less crowded and accom-
generally are respectable.
Relief Only Temporary
Dire condition of male inmates
has been laid before officials re-
peatedly by the grand jury, but only
temporary relief has been provided.
These hundreds of aged and in
firm, denied everything but barest
necessities, are existing in one in
stance in building which has been
condemned several times as a fire
trap.
At least a dozen inmates in that
building, the mems quarters, are
sleeping on straw "ticks" on the
floors of cold Railways.
On the second floor of this build
ing four bunks are crowded into a
dark and ill-ventilated hallway. In
vestigation showed that $50 male in
mates, including Negroes, are housed
in this building, oldest on the prem
ises, which Byron Carter, assistant
to j. V. Carter, superintendent, adj
mitS is dangerous"
Doing the Best We Can"
"Were doing the best we can with
what we have" Carter says.
Inmates share quarters so small as
to be unbearable, with spring cots,
a few broken chairs, and bare walls
the only furnishings.
Plans Of county commissioners to
relieve the condition are up against
the proverbial stone wall, because
the political county council can not
get together" to appropriate $685.
900 for Improvements.
Commissioners John E. Shearer
and George Snider said the ap-
preparation to be considered by the
council calls for general improve
ments in and around the institution.
with provision for erecting four
residence buildings and two hos
pitai wards.
Under those plans. it was pointed
out, the mems building" will be
razed, -idding the institution of its
worst eye-sore. On its site the new
structures ould be placed.
Illness Is Taking Toll
The mems quarters is the poor
est excuse" of the wealthiest county
in the state to keep its infrIn under
shelter, Snider admitted.
Illness is taking it's toll, the probe
disclosed, with many inmates com
planning.
There are an unusual number of
sick cases." an attendant told re-
porters, adding: eve don't know
what causes it, but. it's fact"
Ventilation problems, hospital ac-
commodations, and kitchen problems
have become questions which Carter
says can not be solved without help
Of governing officials.
Scrutiny of linens, food and the
steam kitchen show Carter is max
ing every effort to provide inmates
with as many decencies as facilities
permit.
Industrial depression threatens to
enlarge the inmate roll to unheard
Of proportions, Carter said, although
the institution now is operating far
beyond capacity. An average of 100
more persons are being cared for
daily this year than in 1929.
Facilities Are Overtaxed
Facilities of the superintendent
are being overtaxed to feed the
growing population, and it is prob
able meals will have to be served in
shifts" this winter.
Limited cooking apparatus makes
diet changes almost impossible, ac-
cording to Carter, and it has be-
come necessary to combat resultant
diseases.
Tubercular patients occupy four
small "shanties" at the west bound
ary of the grounds. These structures
should be razed for sanitary reasons,
Carter declared.
The last grand jury reported, the
mems quarters Should be torn
down" Carter was lauded by Jurors
as doing splendid work, considering
facilities available"
This condition is recognized by
each member Of the commissioners
board.
Shearer declared something
should be done about it." He placed
the burden Of responsibility on the
council