New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-24
RUG-MAKING FOR CONVICTS
PLAN TO LET THEM WORK WITHOUT
VIOLATING THE LAW.
THEY CAN SPEND MICH TIME on TURKISH RUGS

THEY CAN SPEND Much TIME on TURKISH RUGS
WITHOUT CONFLICTING WITH FREE LABOR.
Among the latest plans suggested for the en-
ployment OF convcts who since the first OF this
year have been idle Is that Of John Murray
Mitchell. who = n member OF the Executive COM
mittee OF the Prison Association. has given the
matter much attention Mr.. Mitchell says that the
prisoners in the State prisons should be allowed to
make Turkish rugs and in advocating the scheme
he said II understand that this industry requires
immense amount OF time, which Is one thing
that the prisoners certainly have to give that is.
they have long sentences, and IT would not conflict
with any outside labor
Instructors could be found among the Armehians
who have sought refuge here. and who are masters
OF the rug-weaving industry. The people who favor
the movement believe that a sufficient number OF
expert teachers could be found. and that the work
would be remunerativc after short time. The plan
was tried in India, but was abandoned there be-
cause IL connicted with Of the great industries
Of that country.
"Our methods are so much ahead OF those Of
India" said Mr.. Mitchell. that we have no manu-
facturers OF rugs OF the character that would %
produced IN the prison. and the industry would
the efore not be competitor in any way with out
side and honest labor"
O. V. Sage. warden Of Sing Sing Prison, SAID that
he thought the plan feasible. and hoped that steps
might be taken 10 give IL trial Il have never seer
anything or mat KIND IN operation, Sdlh MI Sde'
but the plan seems t. be good one, and worthy
of consideration because II is the only one propos
ing inside work to which the American laborer cas-
not object"
Mr. Sage is anxious that something be done
toward giving the men in his charge work. because
the bad effects OF dleness already beginning to
show themselves and he believes that the condition
will grow worse daily until work Of some Kind ID
"Of the thirteen hundred prisoners in Sing Sing"
he said only about six hundred have any work 70
do and the others are becoming FESTIVE under their
changed condition. There have been outbreaks
and serious lnfraction Of the prison rules. but
day. and the general conduct of the IL falling
below the former good standard. The prisoners have
crcise is taken at four different times Of the day.
and although it requires time TO go through the
yular drills thes" times and the monotony 10
broken by III" exercises to some extent, i Is 100
| doubly miserable | have olacod all the men at
! work for whom can find employment within the
law and hone TO have fifty additional stonecutters
next week. or a. the old furnace building
can be made ready for them; but even then there
PEELED to be ,eptionally since the new era
! began. and. knowing that the tendency TO disre-
gard the prison regua!o will crow as idleness
When asked II he believed that the average con-
vict could become rug-weaSer Mr.. Sage said:
/ I'VE have more talent In the prison than people
give credit for. am sure that The men would
employment and release from depressing dleness
depended upon their making progress in The work
| Why. every day We learn OF new talent IN
the place. In building the new wing with us
chapelS and mess!oom, malN OF INC inmates haE0
given material assistance. and one electrician
who striped suit is now busy designing
ornamental chandeliers and oandelabra for the
| chapel | that we should never ne AT a
loss for besutfu patterns If We made rugs at the
! prison. because have men who are expert IN
decorative art who would find new field for their
| talent in that direction.
Friends of the Mitchell plan say also that large
shops would not be necessary for the rug making
| industry. and while the larger spaces when were
formerly used work rooms by the mon might ne
utilized for the industry. they would not ne
essential because smaller rooms would answer the
| same purpose and the cost of running machinery
would be dispensed with.
AT the meeting of the Prison Association last
Thursday The plan was discussed. but no actof
taken.