The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-08-25
TIMES PRISON
REFORM PLAN
WINS SUPPORT
Leaders Back Proposal to
Put Jail Officers Under
Civil Service.
CONTINUED from Page Onel

have immediate power 70 transfer
such prisoners to a stronger build
ing. This probably could be brought
about with a central penal board as
suggested.
MOnsignor Maurice r. O'COnnOr
est. Joan Of Arcs Roman Catholic
churchill think that Governor
McNutt did very good thing IN
bringing the board OF penal experts
into the state recently TO make
study OF the prisons. Everything
pertaining TO prisons should be nom
partisan and done for the purpose
Of helping the unfOrtunates who are
IN our institutions. The whole thing
should be taken out Of politics en-
tirely.
Mayor Reginald II. Sullivan
think the idea Is a good one.
hadn't thought Of It before, but on
irst impression It seems like a good
suggestion. and II seems that some
thing Of the sort ought 20 be pre-
sented TO the next legislature.
Bishop Joseph VI. Francis tAH
Saints Episcopal cathedral-tSom
thing must be done about the penal
system in the state. The situation
is very serious. A study must be
made at once to determine what Is
the best course of action. 1 am not
sure. without more mature deliber-
alton, that the idea proposed by
The Times is best. Nevertheless,
the study should be made and a
recommendation presented to the
Governor.
Jessie Levy (attOrney)-For more
than fourteen years L have con-
tended that the penal system of In
diana should be under a non
partisan central control system 1t
is the only solution to the dis
graceful conditions now prevailing
IN our state due to the many re-
cent escapes Of criminals. Appoint
ment of such a commission as pro-
posed by The Times is the first step
necessary to remedy this terrible
condition
BY all means the deputy wardens
and other officials should be ap-
pointed solely through merit. civil
service must take the place Of the
political spOils system If we are 70
remove this blemish from the fair
name of our state.
Otto De Luse CONFERENCE.-The
penal system of Indiana should be
studied Immediately. 1 think the
particular angle suggested by The
Times should be considered first to
find some means Of preventing these
wholesale jail deliveries.
DIR. Charles Meyers Ccity hospital
SUPERINTENDENT - Anything that
could be done to remedy the pres
ent situation would be a distinct
advantage. I feel that a central
board. such as suggested, would be
a step in the right direction. State,
county and municipal penal sys-
TENS most certainly should be di-
vorced from politics.
Chief Mike MOrriSsey-The way
things are happening in 1ails
throughout the state it seems TO
me that something must be done.
/ think The Times plan good one
but 1 think the whole penal system
should be studied here before any
thing definite is adopted.
one of the real problems the
sheriffs have to contend with is
that they are undermined. We
have been fortunate in the jails of
this city recently but our prisoners
are escaping from other jails in the
state.
Elmer f. Taflinger (artist and
teacher)-It's a pretty good idea
especially since most Of the boys in
our jails have taken 10 reading
Oscar Wilde and his memorable
lines - iron bars do not a
prison make -. II seems as II
jail-breaking is getting to be habit
and a man can't even cut curtain
rods in half with a haCksaw with
out being accused Of practicing up
for a personal delivery in case he's
caught. One thing your civil service
jail wardens could do would be to
put prisoners TO chopping wood for
the poor instead of carving it out
for pistols.
Kenneth w. Collins manager
Apollo theater)-I think that The
Times proposal is a marvellous idea.
I think that it would DO lot to
alleviate jail breaks. Conditions at
our Indiana institutions are bad and
something must be done in hurry.
Paul c. Wetter Cattorney)-In
view Of the conditions in Indiana
we certainly need something. If
this idea proposed by The Times
is the best solution let's have it by
all means.
Paul c. StetSOn schools super
intendenO-While not familiar with
the plan in detail and not desiring
TO exclude other plans that might
better this plan in general feel it
is a step in the right direction. 1t
seems that any plan that will take
the corrective institutions out Of
politics and place them on a merit
system is decidedly superior to our
present system.
John f. DarmOdy president J. F.
DarmOdy Candy Golf We put in
TIE D4OH[E ACEAcAdAOA> VIC Will ~
the proper laws needed 10 correct
the present situation. Too much
influence Is brought 10 bear now on
our public officials as we'll as legis-
latOrS. WardenS under your pro-
posed plan for jailS, placed under
civil service. would know that they
could stay on the JOB and would be
more apt 10 DO the right thing in
that Job.
Louis J. BorinStein president Of
indianapolis Chamber Of Commerce.
The studies now being made under
the direction Of the Governor Of
welfare functions Of our govern
ment are evidences Of the need for
reorganization. This constitutes one
OF the really important issues now