Someone in Washington with a memory for faces was startled. Whisperings were started. Other memories, joggled, also led to recognition. Soon the Capital was rife with rumors that Harry Ford Sinclair, convict in the District of Columbia Jail, was riding through the streets in a motor car. The jail officials were questioned. They admitted that for two months Convict Sinclair, prison pharmacist, had been detailed to accompany the jail physicians to the city wharfs to attend prisoners working there.
When the news reached the press, George S. Wilson, District Director of Public Welfare, ordered the rides to cease. Edward L. McNamara, another trusty, now rides with the prison doctor. Morris Massa Barnard, superintendent of
District penal institutions, explained that the rides were merely jail routine. Said he: "The board of Public Welfare felt, however, that the publicity given Sinclair's assignment made it unwise to continue him in that capacity. It is very unfortunate that this should happen, for some people will regard the board's order as an act of discrimination against Mr. Sinclair."