Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-09-22
Stronger Guard Force
For DC Jail Sought in
S3,O39, Budget

Anticipating an increase In
crime during Washington's ses-
ouicentennial celebration in 1850,
Director of Corrections Donald
Clemmer today asked the Com
miSsioners for a stronger jail
guard force in a budget estimate
totaling S3,O39,000 for fiscal 1850.
Most of the requested appropria-
ton is assigned to operating eX-
penses for the five institutions I'M
der Mr.. Clemmers control-the Dis
trict Jail, the Reformatory and
Penitentiary at Lorton, Va, and
the Workhouse for Men and the
Reformatory for Women at Deco
guam, Va.
He asked the city heads to ap-
prove an $1,000 appropriation for
capital outlay-S7500 for construc-
ton of an ice plant and $4,000 for
a root cellar for storing potatoes
and other vegetables) at Lorton.
The Corrections Departments es-
innate a" s521, 078 more than the
present appropriation for penal in
StitutionS, $433 900 of which is as
signed to operating expenses.
Price Rises Cited.
The increases in the 1850 esti-
mates. Mr.. Clemmer told the Com
mlssioners, are based on the eX-
pected increase in prisoners. the
general increase in commodity prices
and operation of security features
made at District Jail, following the
Hebert committee recommendations.
The Hebert committee and the FBI
investigated conditions at the jail
after several spectacular escapes in
1916 and called for widespread
break proofing of the institution.
Mr.. Clemmer asked S66045 for re-
placement of equipment at the out
lying reservation institutions. He
said the replacement rate has been
Woefuily inadequate in recent years
in keeping pace with the wearing out
of equipment. He predicted serious
difficulties" unless the replacement
rate is increased.
More Arrests Forecast.
In his request for additional
guards, Mr.. Clemmer told the Com
miSSlonerS:
In view of the additional 15C
police officers authorized for the
Metropolitan Police Department, ii
may be reasonably assumed that a
greater number of arrests may oc-
cur.
Fiscal 1850 will see the Sesqui-
centennial celebration lin Wash
ington, and it is expected thai
some types of crimes will increase
and the Police Department will
make every effort to present clear
city to visitors"
He predicted the population Of
the institutions will increase from
the 1900 prisoners expected in this
fiscal year to 1850 in the next.
The 10 custodial officer positions
requested, Mr.. Clemmer said, woulo
permit the opening of two add.
tional dormitories at the Lortor
Workhouse to house approximately
800 more inmates.
Two truck drivers, he said, art
needed to haul Washington garbage
to the "piggery" at the workhoust
and to transport supplies from tn,
District to the four institutions il
Virginia.
Expense Estimated.
The expense of running the jai
will increase $41,507 in the mex
fiscal year from s640,961 to $685..
46S, while the Sl.686.445 cost OF
operating the other four institu.
lions this year will increase S347, 16s
next year to $2,033.614.
Mr.. Clemmer told the Commits.
sioners the cost of supporting
prisoners will rise from the s275 ,00t
appropriated for fiscal 1e49 to $780,
LIS next year-an increase Of $l5,l75