Evening star., 1944-02-14
Stronger Wards
Are Urged for
Security Measures
Studied After
Escape Of Pair

The installation in the criminal
psychopathic ward of Gallinger Hos
pital of steel doors which can be
unlocked only from the outside was
recommended today to prevent any
recurrence Of escapes like that
made by two Washington youths
who now face charges of criminal
assault, robbery and kidnapping IN
Alabama.
This safety measure was one of
several suggested by DR.. Winfred
Overholser, superintendent of ST.
Elizabeth's Hospital, and DR.. Daniel
Seckinger, acting superintendent of
Gallinger. A special committee,
headed by DR.. Overholser and in
cluding members of the Gallinger
staff, plans to meet soon to consider
plans for Tightening security meas
ures at Gallinger.
Meanwhile the Associated Press
reported from Birmingham that
Daniel Reedy, 18, alias George Butt,
and Joe Hockenberry, 20, the two
District youths who escaped from
Gallinger more than two weeks ago,
are being held for action by the JET
ferson County (Alabama) grand
jury March 6.
Several Crimes Confessed.
The three charges against them
were preferred in connection with
the abduction, beating and stabbing
last Friday night of Mrs. j. l..
Brasher, 81, wife OF a Birmingham
filling station operator. Police Com
missioner Eugene Connor of Bir-
mingham said the youths had con-
fessed several other crimes COM
nitted in the South Involving the
and criminal assault of
Two women, the stealing Of five au-
.omobiles and the snatching of
number Of purses"
The two youths had been held in
pending an investigation
If their sanity. Earlier, Reedy had
been In st. Elizabeth's, which has a
more effective security system, but
vas transferred because of the Dis
;rict law which prevents the confine-
nent Of minors with adult criminals.
They escaped from Gallinger by
and seriously beating
\ 63-year -old guard, taking his keys
and opening the door to their
chamber.
The type of automatic steel doors
recommended for Gallinger already
are in use at st. Elizabeth's Hos
pital. The doors have no inside
lock and can be opened only by
guards on the outside, who act on
signals.
DR.. Seckinger also suggested the
hiring of more competent, expert
enced guards and the location of
the criminal psychopathic ward in
= separate wing of the building so
hat inmates can be supervised,
more closely.
Heard Escape Plot Rumors.
Shortly before the escape of the
;wo youths, DR.. Seckinger revealed,
officials Of the hospital had heard
\ rumor that some one was plan
ming to escape from the psyche
pathic ward. The rumors, however,
did not involve Reedy and Hocken-
berry, whom he described as model
inmates until the day OF their
escape.
The Associated Press reported
from Birmingham yesterday that
Reedy was discovered with rope
like strip of mattress covering in
his cell at city jail yesterday
The guard who made the discov-
cry, Mr.. Connor reported, said the
prisoner readily admitted he planned
to use the strip in a suicide at
tempt"
D. K. Brown, agent in charge of
the Birmingham Office of the Fed
eral Bureau of Investigation, said
Federal grand jury now in session
here would investigate evidence
against the pair in connection with
the abduction of Mrs. T. H. Boiler,
10, of New Orleans.
Mr. Connor said Reedy and
Hockcnberry admitted forcing Mrs.
Boiler into a car in New Orleans
last Sunday, driving her here and
holding her captive until shortly
before the abduction of Mrs.
Brasher Friday night.