Evening star., 1934-03-15
Officials and Inmates Issue
DeniaIs in Final lor-
ton Session.
COMMITTEE EXPECTED
TO DRAFT REPORT SOON
Pitts and Rheem Are Indignant
at Charges of Special
Consideration.

Further hearings in the Board Of
Public Welfare's investigation Of Dis
trict penal institutions appeared prob
lematical today after an announce
ment by w. w. MILAN, chairman Of
the inquiring committee, that evi-
dence on all charges preferred has
been presented.
Yesterdays session. held at the
Lorton Reformatory, adjourned with
out fixing the date for future meet
ing. 1t had produced nothing but
denialS by prison officials and in
mates OF allegations Of privileges and
graft.
The committee is expected to begin
shortly its detailed examination Of
the seven volumes Of testimony taken
during the two weeks of public hear
ings and decide whether any loose
ends exist which need further testi-
mony to tie up. If the committee de-
cides its information is complete, it
will proceed to draw up a report to
the District Commissioners which
may or may not include recommends
tions.
Pitts and Rheem Questioned.
Yesterday G. Bryan Pitts and Ed
mund D. Rheem, former heads of the
F.. H. Smith Co. and the Swartzell,
Rheem & Hensey Co. respectively, be-
fore the collapse of the two financial
institutions, vehemently denied they
have received special consideration as
prisoners at Lorton.
Pitts and Rheem were dressed in
blue sweaters and blue trousers when
they took the stand. Each appeared
indignant that accusations should be
made they were given luxuries and
allowed secret trips away from the re-
formatory reservation.
During examination Of Rheem a
telephone call was received from Rep
reSentative Francis Shoemaker of
Minnesota suggesting a specific line of
questioning AS a result the witness
was asked If he knew a certain patent
attorney in Washington. He replied
he did not and the matter was
dropped.
1t was speech by Shoemaker in
the House which first brought the
charges of graft, special privileres and
nSaritary conditions at Lorton into
| the spotlight. Edward Bedell, former
convict at Lorton. had made charges
to the Department of Justice. Since
Shoemaker and Bedell have been
closely associated investigating Lorton
conditions.
Health Seems Excellent.
Both Pitts and Rheem appeared
healthy yesterday, although Pitts COM
planned his blood was not good. The
former Smith Co. head looks older.
grayer and thinner than when he was
leading investment banker, but his
positiveness of utterance has not de-
serted him. He frequently claShed
with Mr. MILAN concerning how he
was to give his testimony.
Denials of ever leaving the reserva-
tion except on official orders were
emphatically expressed by the two
prisoners. They also said the So
called bankers porch" where they
are housed. is less comfortable than
other dormitories. having the sole
advantage of seclusioL and quiet.
Rheem explained they were assigned
to the porch because the confidential
nature of their work would make it
dangerous to place them in a dorrni-
tory with other prisoners. For two
years. Rheem has prepared every
paper which has gone from Lorton to
the Parole Board. Pitts is an impor-
tant cog in the prison commissary.
George w. Bennett, former WASH
ington bank teller. also denied special
privileges or trips away from the re-
formatory except on prison business
or to visit his Ill mother.
Keys in Auto Explained.
Capt. NJ. M Barnard, veteran su-
perintendent of District penal insti-
tutions, was the last witness. He had
been charged with leaving his car
with the keys in it where two escap-
ing convicts could use it. He said his
orderly accidentally left the keys in
the car and assumed all blame for
the incident.
Did you Intentionally assist any
prisoners to escape?" inquired Judge
Michael M. Doyle, committee member.
II don't think I have gone crazy
yet" Barnard replied.
Others who testified included ]. E.
c. Bischoff, business manager of the
institution; c. w. Hanger, chief ac-
countant; Herbert R. Haar, chief en-
gineer; Paul F. Pegelow, captain of
the guard; William Devers, steward;
Lester E. McMenamin, mail clerk;
Max Cady, guard, and Thomas v.
Norman, clerk