Evening star., 1953-11-12
State Delegates
Recess Tour Of
Institutions
Vireinions Visit
IS Places; Resume
Trip on Monday
BY Alex R. Preston
Star Sfoff CORRESPONDENT

cOEOG1OAN1A0DO OECA1, Vd., NOV.
12.-Inspection of State-support-
ed institutions by new members
or the General Assembly reached
the halfway mark today as
weary legislators called a halt
until Monday.
Ending the first leg of the trip
at Mary Washington College, the
lawmakers - mostly newcomers
elected November 3-had in
Spected Is mental hospitals,
schools for deaf and blind and
educational facilities for Negroes
and whites in Eastern Virginia.
Fifteen more institutions are
to be seen in the Western and
Southwestern areas.
Five Welfare Units Seen.
Five activities under the De-
partment Of Welfare and institu-
tionS observed in the Richmond
area yesterday left the visitors
with an overall sense of salts
faction, particularly over per-
Sonnel.
The penal institutions included
the Virginia Home and Indus
trial Schools for White Girls at
Bon Air; both sections of the
State penitentiary farm strad-
ding the James River at Pow
hatan and Goochland counties:
the State Industrial Farm for
Women, and the Virginia Indus
trial School for Boys
John c. Webb, delegate-elect
from Fairfax and Falls Church,
said, "The impression is gained
that these employees are, to a
great extent. dedicated to rem
dering the public service in a.
Christian manner"
Three old buildings in need of
replacement were observed at
the industrial school at Bon Air
where girls from 10 to Is years
OF age are committed for an
average stay of one year. There
are 129 there now.
Cites Fire Hazard.
Homer l.. HirSt, delegate-elect
from Fairfax, was critical of a
tWo-Story frame dormitory where
only one fire escape leads from
the end OF the second floor. The
door to the fire exit is kept
locked. Supt. Herbert Whitmer
OF the school said a second fire
escape has been ordered. 81
The school has asked for $l17,-
455 more for the next two years
or a total of $366,350 for opera
tions and is seeking $918,75O,
compared with $4,000 in the
current budget, for new dormi-
tory, a chapel auditorium and
gymnasium.
Nevertheless, the visitors saw
other new buildings, including
dormitories on the 468-acre
grounds.
Later, at the industrial school
for boys at nearby Beaumont
where there are 270 inmates
whose ages average Is years, the
legislators saw many new build
ings. The staff headed by Supt.
M. B. McLane, jr., was singled
out for praise for it's schooling
and rehabilitation program.
The institution is asking $685.
455. a 42 per cent increase, in
operating funds, and $454,OOO
compared with $125,O0O in the
current biennium, for capital
outlays including new cottages,
barns, athletic field and renova-
ton.
Modern State Farm.
The touring lawmakers found
the State Industrial Farm for
Women equipped with modern
buildings and a huge laundry
facility which handles the work
of eight institutions.
The two penitentiary farms
have asked for a total of $3,146,-
050 for new buildings and ST.
1000 for operations during the
next two years.
Located on 2.7O0 acres, the in
stitution is gradually centering
the major portion of it's activities
on the south side of the James
River where ultra modern build
lngs now stand. Due to over
crowding, however, Supt. M. L.
RoySter said the prison needs
expanding.
Prisoners who constitute the
greatest danger to society or who
are regarded as an escape risk
are held at the penitentiary at
Richmond. Others, including
some serving life terms, are
taken to the farm. Use of the
establishment on the north side
OF the river is being gradually
curtailed so that it eventually
will house only those convicted
OF misdemeanors. The more Sc
cure modern establishments will