Evening star., 1933-07-09
Talks With Prisoners.

The superintendent at LCrton visited
all the dormitcrieS yesterday afternoon
and talked to more than 1000 prisoners
who have had no part in the disturb
ance.
They were with us to a man." Capt
Barnard said. THE prisoners, almost
all of whom have been confined to their
barracks since the trouble started, are
anxious to get back to work. We expect
to reopen all the shops Monday morn
ing, and, except for the men in soli-
tary confinement, I am certain every
prisoner will be back on the job
The carpenter and other shops were
closed Friday and throughout yester-
days half day. Work was resumed
yesterday, however, in the laundry,
garage and in the fields and truck
garden.
The prison base ball nine was sched-
uled to play a team from Mount Yer
non yesterday afternoon, and another
game was on the program today. Both
games we're Cancelled. Capt. Barnard
explained to the prisoners that this
was not punitive measure, but one
of necessity because of the interrupted
routine.
The prisoners probably will be al
1oyed other recreation privileges today.
however, Capt Barnard said. The su-
would ask that the 104 reconcilables
be transferred to walled prisons
Wants Interviews First.
"I certainly shall take no such
step" he said until I can interview
each man apart from the others and
learn what his attitude will be toward
the regulations if he rejoins the main
body of prisoners" Capt Barnard ey-
pressed the opinion that at least 10
of the men in solitary confinement will
pledge their cooperation and be re-
stored to their usual status tomorrow
Throughout yesterday, radios blared
forth from the dormitories where the
prisoners were confined, and from time
to time the men raised chorus. But
the long stay indoors irked them, and
scores of the prisoners petitioned the
guards for permission to return to work.
The Commissioners are known to be
anxious to name new superintendent
as soon as possible to relieve Capt.
Barnard, of some Of his arduous duties.
Since TaWse'S resignation, Capt. Bal =
nard has taken over direct supervision
of the reformatory, and because of
the emergency existing there, he has
had virtually no time to devote to his
other duties at the District jail and
workhouse at Occoquan.
Col. Peaks promotion to head the
reformatory has been urged, it was
said because of his successful admin
istration of the jail, and his familiar
ity with prison work of the District.
He has been superintendent of the
Jail for the last IA years, and under
his regime, vast Improvements have
been made at the institution. The jail
building itself has been enlarged. and
the old stockade. long an eyeSore and
a stumbling block to home development
in Southeast Washington. removed. AS
result the area around the jail was
marked by unusual development.
Lewis is understood to be personal
friend of Capt Barnard He was for
merly chief clerk of the District Work
House under former Supt. Whitaker.
Considered Previously.
1t also was reported that Lewis is
one of the two men interviewed by Of
ficials of the Board of Public Welfare
several months ago, when steps were
taken to have Tawse retire as superin-
tendent of Lorton.
While conditions at Lorton virtually
have returned to normalcy, Maj. Brown
said the gas squad would be kept at
the institution indefinitely as pre-
caution. The men will live in dor
mitory on the reservation which IS
usually used by prisoners.
Maj Brown made his plans for con-
tinuing the police detail at the reforma
tory after conference with Inspector
L. I. H. Edwards. personnel officer, who
made an inspection of the institution
earlier in the day, accompanied by
Capt. Barnard.
The gas squad Maj Brown said,
would be kept at the institution for
tvs reasons-the psychological effect