Evening star., 1946-04-06
Jail Break
Continued From First Page. y

tives, yesterday questioned Joseph
D. Medley, McFarland's companion
IN the escape, but there were no
overnight developments.
Reports from Elm City. N. c., said
the wife of merchant there had
been called to the door by a man
resembling Mcfarland who inquired
whether two other men had been to
her home to telephone FBI agents
and State police watched all roads
around the town, but have not To-
Gated the man. Some significance
was attached to the report because
McFarland's former wife lives in
New Bern, only 40 miles from Elm
City, and police have thought he
might visit his former home.
Hebert Group Visits Jail.
The congressional subcommittee
paid a surprise visit to the Jail
late yesterday, talked with Supt.
c. O. Botkin and toured the insti-
tuition, including death row." in
the penthouse, from which Med
ley and Mcfarland escaped early
last Wednesday. .,- -a.c.,..
The Louisianan said later the
reason for the groups visit was to
familiarizs themselves with the
physical layout Of the Jail so they
would know what they talking
about when the inquiry starts.
Asked II he intended to crack
down" on the jail administration,
Mr. Hebert replied:
What do you think?"
Committee members said they
did not talk to Medley. although
they did inspect his cell and also
traced the route of escape used by
him and Mcfarland in their sensa-
tional get away.
The congressional groups arrival
at the Jail, shortly after 2 pm, was
unexpected and they had to wait in
the lobby for some minutes while
guards located Mr.. Botkin.
One committee member, Repre-
sentative Combs, Democrat, of Tex
as said he was impressed by the
neat and clean appearance of the
Jail. but added:
Il wouldn't want to talk about
other things now"
Asked to amplify his statement
he said:
Equipment, for instance"
Before leaving the Jail, committee
members talked with Detective Chief
Barrett, who had been questioning
Medley.
Other members Of the committee
who were at the Jail were Repre-
sentatives Simpson, Republican, OF
Illinois; Harris and O'Hara, Repub-
lican, of Minnesota.
West to Be First Witness.
The committee inquiry will con-
tinue every day, morning and after
noon. until it is completed, accord
ing to Mr.. Hebert's present plans
First witness to be summoned will
be Vernon E. West. corporation
counsel. He will be followed on the
stand by the three District Commits
sioners and members of the Board
Of Public Welfare. for whom Chair
man Edgar Morris will be the first
spokesman.
The jailbreak was injected into
debate on the District appropriation
bill in the House yesterday after
noon.
Chairman Coffee Of the Appro-
priations Subcommittee in charge OF
the District budget said, when ques-
toned about the jail, that there
should be grand jury Investigation
Of the escape and the prison admin
istration. This was prompted by in
quiries from Representative Hoff-
man, Republican, of Michigan ano
others.
Medley Back in Death Cell.
Representative Dingell, Democrat
Of Michigan criticized the Ap.
preparations Committee for turning
down a request by the Commission.
ers for 125 additional policemen
Mr.. Dingell said the District need.
600 more policemen, calling the lack
OF police protection here danger.
ous."
Meanwhile, it was learned tha
Medley, who had been placed in ths
Jail infirmary following his recap
ture after he had lain for hours il
a damp drain pipe has been returned
to the death cell. w. F. Fleming
acting superintendent of penal in
stitutions for the District, said toda,
that Medleys health seemed salts
factory.
The ventilator in the ceiling O
the death chamber through whicl
the two murderers made their escap
is now shut off by tool-proof stee
bars, placed flush with the ceiling
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