Evening star., 1936-09-09


the seriousness of the lack of adequate
fire-flghting equipment and have re-
peatedly called 1t to the attention Of
District officials. They also have
stressed the need of modern fire.
alarm system which the reservation
lacks. The Federal Fire Council, after
a survey of the situation, recommended
a minimum of three complete fire
fighting units But penal officials still
wait for the equipment.
Fortunate So Far.
Despite the lack of adequate fire.
fighting apparatus, the penal institu-
tions have been fortunate so far in not
having any serious confagrations.
The lone fire company, though it is
composed of inmates, has demonstrat-
ed its efficiency in the few blazes that
have broken out on the reservation.
Recently these prison fire fighters es-
tablished a record in making run to
fire at Occoquan, miles away, and
getting into action in eight minutes.
Buildings at the institution which
constitute the most serious fire hazards
include the women's dormitories, the
work house hospital, a temporary tu-
berculosis sanatorium and stables and
COW barns-all old frame buildings,
partly rotted by age.
Not only have the reformatory and
work house been denied funds for fire
fighting equipment, but they have
suffered likewise in having pleas for
appropriations for other necessary
purposes ignored. For instance, the
machinery in the productive industrial
shops which are turning out valuable
equipment for the District Govern
ment at q saving to taxpayers, are
wearing out in service with no re-
placements in prospect.
Make Auto Tags.
These shops handle thousands Of
pieces of laundry every year for Dis
trict and Federal departments, pro-
duce all Of the Districts automobile
tags, traffic signs and markers, manu-
facture castings for the water and
sewer departments, clothings for the
prisoners and inmates of other institu-
tions, brooms and brushes for the
street cleaning department and various
other municipal agencies, and even
make cofiins for the morgue. In the
last fiscal year ended June 80, these
shops yielded net profit of $135,964.
Yet, when new machinery Is needed
to carry on the various industrial
activities, funds for its purchase are
not forthcoming. One striking illus.
tration is found in the print shop,
where q cylinder press of the vintage
of 1878, had to be abandoned because
its work was unsatisfactory. In the
clothing factory, the manufacture of
shirts had to be stopped two days
recently while sleeving machine was
repaired. There was no auxiliary
sleever to put into service.
Similarly, automotive equipment is
wearing out. Most of 1t Is obsolete,
having been in use since 1916. The
most modern trucks are 1894 models
and there are only two of them ut the
institutions. In fact, there Is not q
new truck or bus at either the re-
formatory or work house. The repair
shop, Of course, is always jammed with
disabled vehicles.
Large Bus Worn Out.
A large bus, the only means of
transporting prisoners to and from the
District Jail, has about completely
worn out from its 5000 trips. No ap-
preparation has been made to replace
1t. although its services thus far have
saved the District about $40, 600 in
costs.
The bus went into service In 1898.
Prior to that time prisonegs were
6ksn b IortR and ocooquan by