Evening star., 1946-04-08

!, in the budget would prov icle for re-
turn to the 40-hour week, but not
for replacement of the police.
Mr.. Morris, when he first TOOK
the stand, told the committee he
had little to say except that the
members of the board had been
charged with certain Responsible
ties anG had tried to do a good Job
In connection with Mr.. Morris
testimony Chairman Hebcrt had in
serted in the record a story which
appeared in The Sunday Star CIV
ing biographical sketches Of every
member OF the board. This. he eX-
planned. was by way of background
and to save time
Asked by Chairman Hcbert and
others what qualifications members
Of the board had to administer
prisons MI. Morris replied: Il don't
believe there is any one on the
board Who could be considered an
expert on criminology"
Boards Work Defended.
Pressed to say what he would
recommend in view OF the recent
difficulties which had been en-
countered in prison administration
Mr.. Morris replied After listening
to what has been said here this
morning. I believe the Federal
Bureau Of Prisons should be given
jurisdiction over our prisons, l
think the board members have car
rled out their duties and have done
a eooG Job, but YOU have asked me
for recommendations
Mr.. Morris pointed out that after
the Jail break of November "a the
board had suggested thorough
shakedoWn in prison personnel and
the Commissioners had agreed this
was desirable The boards commit
tee on penal institutions. he eX-
plaineo, recommended that neces-
Sary changes be made IN official
personnel. and the board concurred
unanimously.
The Commissioners Mr.. Morris
adQed. suggested the policy of lend
ing US some metropolitan policemen.
and We agreed, since there did not
seem to be enough guards We had
no idca the policemen would con-
unue on duty except for short
time until the jail could be re-
organized Then this Gill matter
came up"
II thought the board chairman
ADDED, that the Gill matter would
be disposed of in "a to 48 hours. It's
still dragging along, as you gentle
men know"
Reluctant to Make Changes.
Mr.. Morris expressed belief that
If the two policemen assigned to
temporary duty in the death cells
had been sent back to their regular
duties and had been replaced by
trained guards the chances were the
escape would not have occurred last
Wednesday,
Because of the uncertain situation
growing out OF the Gill trial. Mr.
Morris added, prison officials were
reluctant to makes changes.
Mr.. Morris pointed out by way of
background that Ray l. HUFF. dlrec-
tor Of Public Welfare. had made
good record at the LortOn RefOrma-
tory and had earned promotion.
which he had received when he took
his present position. About two
Years ago, MI Morris added the
board was convinced that Mr Huff
had too much to DO and Nh Gill was
to help him.
What brought on the charges
against Mr Gill?' asked Chairman
Hebert.
Mr.. Morris replied that the
Boards Committee on Institutions
had recommended that charges be
filed against Mr Gill and the board
had approved This. he pointed
out, followed the escapes of last
November.
I might add said Mr.. Morris.
we've been having some little
trouble with Mr.. Gill before that"
For how long?" asked Repre-
sentative Harris.
HNSl Si4iSC liz 1dIllt " NOIh.
said Mr.. Morris. If you have a
business and employ sales man
ager you expect him to follow out
the policies and orders of the COM
pany. If he fails to do so. you fire
him and get another man. We
simply couldn't get Mr.. Gill to play
ball with US"
In what wav?" Mr.. Hebert de-
manded.
Well for instance, If We asked
him for certain information. if he
saw fit he would give it. If he
didn't he wouldn t.
Mr. Hbert asked If MI. Gill was
MOI a professional cr!mlnologist.
MI. Morris replied: Yes. but a