The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-08-13
SONNTAG ANGRY.
He DenounCes Ostrom as
an Idiot.
THE JUTE LAW THE CAUSE.
Small Demand for Sacks, With a
Probability That the Mill Will
Have to Be Closed.

s"The iutemill will be obliged to close
down." said Director Sonntag at the
meeting of the State Board OF Prison
Directors at San Quentin Yesterday, and
some of the other members partly agreed
with him.
The mill furnishes the chief employ
ment at the prison, and more than half of
the convicts work therein. The manufac-
ture of jute bags by the cOnvicls has been
OF great advantage to the farmers, who
can purchase them at the prison for 5.73
cents each, the market price being 6H
cents. 1t has been the custom heretofore
for the San Quentin officials to sell the
bags in large quantities to Changers
unions and branches of the Farmers ALI
ance, which distributed the sacks to farm
ers, allowing the latter to make easy pay
ments. This arrangement has become
impossible since the passage OF the Ostr0m
act. which allows the prison to sell its
product only to farmers directly and Tor
cost.
The proposal of the directors to close the
jutemill was developed during discus
sion of Warden Hale's report. That func-
tionary stated that there are now on hand
at the prison 1,256000 jute bags. and that
this quantity is being increased az the rate
CT 1000 a day, with no demand 1or the
purchase of the sacks. The books show
that from January / to August IL, 1891,
there were sold 2 661 OPS bags; during the
same period in 1892, /. 127, $50 bags. and up
date this year only 74lS21.
We will have to shut down that lutte
mill, said Director Sonntag, emphatically.
The Closing will be the direct result OF
the magnificent and intelligent bill intro
daced iii the Legislature by Senator Ostrom
of \ uba," he added with fine sarcasm.
This board has tried 10 ao the farmers
by selling the sacks cheaply and on easy
terms. Now our hands are tied because
of the stupid action of that man OstrO 10,
who poses as the farmers friend.
Ibis bill is just as foolish and imprac-
ticable as are ali bis public acts. and now
the farmers are. through the effect of his
bill, placed at the mercy or the ring specu-
lators. A pool will be formed and ranch
ers will have to pay big prices. l want to
express my contempt for this man Ostrom.
Instead of being friend to the farmers
he has proved a very expensive enemy"
Look out, Sonntag," said Chairman
De Pue. soto voce. those newspaper men
are taking your speech down." with q
gesture toward the reporters table.
Glad of H." responded Sonntag In loud
tone, II want the newspapers to get the
truth OF this matter. l ouly hope that
some one in the next Legislature will have
sense enough tn repeal this bill. We
wanted 10 give farmers ninety DAYS time,
but the Ostrom bill allows us to sell only
for cash. which farmers won't possess
until after their crops are moved. and oh !
the idiocy Of this man Ostrom! This
bill has been lis pet hobby for years. He
wanted II adopted for his friends-the
farmers. They will be CRYING. save us
from such friendsp He's proving an ex-
pensive luxury for the ranchmep. who are
reaping the fruits OF his irresponsible
folly.
1--WE have on hand 1.256,Oo0 jute bags.
We have sold this year less than half the
average number. Farmers say there i,