Evening star., 1946-04-16
U.S.PrisonChief
Helps Probers
Draft Jail Report
FBI Also Will Aid;
Mason Admits Error
In Pay Testimony


the Federal Bureau of Prisons, the
House subcommittee investigating
the District Jail halted long enough
to place in the record letter from
Commissioner Guy Mason correct
ing his testimony that the Civil
Service Commission had refused
higher salaries to Jail guards.
Mr.. Mason said he was in error
IN testitying that the commission
was to blame in refusing higher
salaries, since the Public Welfare
Board had never submitted a salary
reclassification list to the Com
missioners.
The Hebert subcommittee ses-
sion with Mr.. Bennett was to discuss
its forthcoming report on Jail con-
ditions and suggestions for improve
ments.
Mason Admits Error.
Commissioner Mason wrote:
"On April I testified that the
commissioners had requested re-
classification of the guards at the
District Jail and that the Civil Sery-
Ice Commission had denied the re-
quest. / was wholly in error.
The Welfare Board never sub.
mitted to the Commissioners the re.
classification sheets for the guards
and the Commissioners never sub
mitted any request for reclassifica.
tion of the guards to the Civil Serv.
ice Commission.
In giving my testimony, was
somewhat confused by a memo
randum I had received on April 81
1912. from the then superintendent
OF penal institutions, Ray L. Huff
discussing the inadequacy of the nav
OF the guards at the Jail and the
reformatory. I had other discus
sions during the year on the same
subject with Mr.. Huff. but none of
these resulted in any application
being made by the Welfare Board
for reclassiflcation.
Public Hearings Helpful.
II make this correction in Justice
to the Civil Service Commission
and kindly ask the chairman of the
subcommittee to incorporate this
letter in the proceedings of the
hearings"
Chairman Hebert said today he felt
the public hearings which closed
yesterday had been extremely help
ful in disclosing conditions and
pointing to remedies which the
group would consider in executive
session.
THE witnesses gave a lot of peril
nent information" he added. which
will contribute, I think, toward a
solution of what was wrong with the
jail, what made it possible for men
to escape SO easily. I'm sure we
will be able to make a constructive
report, probably later this week"
Mr.. Hebert explained that Mr..
Bennett was not being called as a
formal witness, but his aid and ad-
vice was wanted in drafting recon-
for the House District
Committee.
Outstanding Expert.
"He is our outstanding prison
expert" the Louisiana Congressman
pointed out. land I'm sure that in
going over the evidence with us, he
can help us arrive at conclusions
and suggestions for improvement"
Meanwhile, Mr.. Hebert awaited
a report from the FBI, which made
its own investigation of the recent
escape of Joseph Medley and Earl
condemned murderers.
Both have been recaptured.
Attorney General Clark promised
the subcommittee full cooperation
from the Justice Department when
the inquiry was started. The secret
findings of the FBI are to be re-
vealed to the subcommittee, prob
ably today.
May Reopen Hearings.
1t was made clear that if this
report indicates it will be helpful
to call other witnesses, the hear
ings will be reopened. Otherwise
the subcommittee will start work on
its report as soon as it finishes the
conference with Mr.. Bennett.
Mr.. Bennett is expected to be
asked, among other things, whether
he thinks it would be feasible or
desirable for the Federal Bureau
OF Prisons to take over District penal
institutions, as some officials have
suggested.
The subcommittee may recon-
mend legislation and may also ad-
wise changes which could be made
by exec,,tjva or6er