Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-20
Prisoners Break Plate Glass
From Cell Doors, but ES-
cape Is Impossible.
PROBE QUICKLY HALTED
AS OUTBREAK BEGINS
Inmates Boo Investigators Making
Tour of Inspection, With Guards
Unable to Quiet Them.

1
JOLIET, Ill, March 20.-PriSoners in
stage a riot and to escape from their
cells today The riot was short-lived.
No prisoners were released. The dis
turbance consisted principally of break
ing glass in the cell doors and yelling
and cursing.
There were 729 convicts in the cell
house, most northly of the four circu-
lar blocks.
One prisoner gave the signal for the
outburst by kicking through the heaVy
plate glass pane in his barred cell door
and shouting. His fellows took up the
concert of boos, but could do little
damage.
No Chance to Escape.
There was no chance for an escape.
All the convicts have been locked In
their cells since Wednesdays riot aid
disastrous fire, and yesterdays shake
Down had removed from the cells
every hidden tool or weapon. One con-
vict managed to set fire to news
paper in his own cell, but it was quick
ly extinguished.
Warden Henry c. Hill was testifying
before the Legislative Investigation Com
mittee when the alarm came and with
the committee, his assistants and ROO
ney H Brandon, State welfare superln-
tAndent, he sped to the scene, but all
was quiet upon his arrival.
Two of the four National Guaro
companies were still on duty at State
vile and patrolled the yard as soon
as the trouble broke. The reduced
force of 35 State highway policemen
was also on hand
Company D of the 129th Infantry
from Aurora, a machine gun unit ana
Company q Of Joliet remained on
guard. approximately 100 men.
Newspaper Men Barred.
The Parole Board, against which
most of the impreeation was directed,
accompanied the official party Of prison
officers and lawmakers to Statewide to
participate in the inspection.
Supt Brandon, upon his arrival, or
dered all newspaper men elected from
the cell blocks and issued notice that
none were to be admitted to cell houses.
Officials have laid some of the blame
for the outbreaks of the past week
on publicity given recent events, which.
they believed, had created feeling
among the convicts that public SYM
pathy was with them. All communi-
cation from the outside world has been
denied the prisoners since Wednesday.
All prisoners at Statesville, with the
exception of few TRUSTEES. have been
confined to their cells since the riot of
Wednesday.
Boos greeted the special Legislative
Investigating Committee and the five
members postponed questioning wit
nesses to inspect the prison.
Couldn't Stop Din.
Guards warned the committeeman
there was no way of sitting the some
times muffled and sometimes angry roar
Of prison voices. Boos came from every
where and neutrality-suspicious. near at
hand holding their peace, while others
took up the booing.
Solitary cells in both prisons. the
"screen"-a milder sort of solitary,
the chairs" and the dining room were
visited on tour in addition to the scenes
Of fire and riot damage.
Hunger apparently made all except
$50 prisoners, who have thus far re-
Trained from trouble making-more
surly-and the disrespect they hurled
through the bars at the Legislative
Committee quickened the steps of the
lawmakers and sent them for longer
visits in other places beside the cell
blocks.
Since they started rioting several days
ago the prisoners have been on bread
and water diet. They also have been
deprived of their personal possessions.
Warden Hill said he would not at
tempt to influence the committee in
the selection of convicts to be ques-
toned.
State Director Brandon issued the
following statement:
The State is fortunate in having
man of Maj Hills type in the Office OF
warden at this trying time. He has
the power of quick and right decision,
he has strength and bravery without
cruelty. He has done an unpleasant
duty very well"
All of the 80 convicts identified as
major participants in the riot last Wed
nesday faced the possibility of life inn
prisonment for their parts in the up
rising.
This became apparent when Warden
Hill announced last night that he would
ask the grand jury for indictments.
Regardless of the length OF their pres
ent terms the ringleaders will receive
life terms if convicted. Assault, arson
and larceny charges, the warden sald'
would be asked from the grand jury.