Evening star., 1946-05-02
Jail Reform Bill
is Approved by
D. {. Committee
House to Act May Is;
Group Named to Draft
Long-Ronge Program
OVERLADE PAYS first visit to the
District Jail. Page B-1
By Julio Edwards


today reported out a bill to Gre
ate department of correction
under the Commissioners and to
strip the Board of Public Wei
fare of all its powers over the
penal system. 1t was placed on
the calendar for action by the
House May 13.
Chairman Mcmillan also appointed
special five-man committee to
draft legislation for a long-range
penal program.
A request for $577 900 for penal
system personnel and construction
at the District Jail was submitted
to the OMahoney subcommittee of
the Senate Appropriation Commit
tee, now considering the 1947 Dis
trict supply bill.
More Guards Asked.
Forwarded by the District Com
mlssionerS, the request was in the
form of a letter from James v. Ben
nett, director of the Federal Bureau
of Prisons. For physical improve
ments and personnel at the Jail, it
seeks $438, 1853, compared to $4,000
suggested by the Hebert Committee.
In addition, s139.432 was asked
to provide SO additional guards at
the Lorton Reformatory and Occo-
quan Workhouse, instead of the $685.
600 requested yesterday by the We'll
fare Board.
Senator O'Mahoney, Democrat. of
Wyoming said his committee has
not yet taken any action.
The bill approved today by the
House committee would make legal
what is now being done ''by suffer-
ance and agreement, Representa-
tive Hebert, Democrat, of Louisiana,
who introduced the bill yesterday,
explained. 1t would give the Dis
trict Commissioners general direc-
ton and supervision of the new de-
partment of correction. The de-
partment would succeed to all the
powers and authority, and to all the
duties and obligations" now vested
in the Welfare Board.
Sees No Objection.
Corporation Counsel Vernon E.
West said he was sure the Commits
sioners would have no objection to
considering the future of the penal
system separately from other well
fare work. The Commissioners pre-
viously had prepared similar legis-
lation as an amendment to bill
now before Congress which would
strip the Welfare Board of all its
administrative powers.
Stressing that time is of the es-
sence," Mr.. Hebert said he decided
to draw up the bill himself after he
was told that the special committee
he recommended would not have
sufficient time to prepare long-range
legislation for action in this session
of Congress.
Appointed to the special commit
tee were Mr.. Hebert, Chief Justice
Bolitha j. Laws of the District Su-
preme Court, James v. Bennett, di-
rector of the Federal Bureau of
Prisons, Edgar Morris, chairman of
the Welfare Board, and Mr.. West.
Subcommittee Praised.
At the suggestion of Chairman
Mcmillan, the District Committee
voted special appreciation to the
subcommittee for the excellent
service" it gave in recommending
sweeping reforms in the penal sys-
tenn. Mr.. Mcmillan said he had
heard nothing but praise from the
entire Congress for the Hebert re-
port.
A possibility that the bill would
strip employees of their civil service
status was raised by Mr.. West. AL
though the bill did not mention the
civil service question, Mr.. Hebert
said he would not object if it had
the effect OF taking the penal sys-
tenn away from civil service. The
new director of corrections should
have a free hand to fire any employe
he considers inefficient, Mr.. Hebert
said.
The Hebert bill would give the new
director of corrections complete au-
thority to establish rules and regu-
lations for the conduct of the penal
system. Mr.. West questioned wheth-
er the Commissioners should not
have authority to pass on the rules
since they will be responsible for the
actions of the department.
There you are asking for divided
authority again." Mr.. Hebert ex-
ploded. The director must have
absolute power to discharge his
function. The ommi issioners S
shouldn't be passing on these minor
details"
MIR. West said he was only raising
the question and was not offering
an objection.
Under the bill the Federal Gov
(See D. c. JAIL, Page A-6D
Pr0hee Ren0rt