New-York tribune., 1897-07-29
.STOP TRiFLING.

The Tribune is glad 10 see It's efforts 10 ma
worj, for the idle prisoners in the Kings County
Penitentlary seconded by The Brooklyn Eagle
The suggestion made last Week in these columns
that the East Side Lands offered an admirable
field for convict labor at once non-competltlve
with free workmen and advantageous 10 the
city. meets with its cordial appreciation. ana
We hone that others may be led to the same con-
clusion until united press and an aroused
publc opinion shall put an end to the wicked
shuifling with the prison labor problem winch
is turning cOnycts into madmen
Corporation Counsel Burr has given an opln-
ION that makes il possible for heads Of city de-
partments 10 purchase prson-made goods II they
want to. and apparently makes II possible Tor
them to avoid il II that suits their purpose. 1t
is evident that they all are none too anxious
for the annoyance which changing their meth-
odS of obtaining supplies entails. ana some of
them seem timid and apprehensive that the sub
ject is politically redhot poker. But even II
they all strive earnestly 10 make Use or the
product Of convict labor in their departments Is
the problem will not be nearly solved All the
brooms chairs. shoes and other similar articles
that the public departments could possibly con-
sumo can be made by fraction Of the prisoners
In a few months Of the year. What is needed
Is an outlet for the energy OF the others. lhat
outlet is most perfectly supplied by some enter
prise which requires large amount OF un-
skilled or slightly skilled. physical labor The
unimproved parks of Brooklyn are suitable Tor
such work and of these the East Side Lands.
which lie near the Penitentiary. are best fitted
for trial of the system. Those lands are Il
blot on the beauty of Prospect Park. Until they
are converted from a refuse heap 10 groves and
grassplots the property values OF me whole sur
rounding region will be depressed and the pleas
ing health-giving Influence OF the park reserva-
ton narred The only thing Rat has prevented
this work being done long before now has been
lack OF money, and that same lack OF money
makes 1t improbable. II not impossible. that II
will be done for years 10 come unless by con
Wet labor The Park Department has every
thing 10 gain and nothing 10 lose by using the
prisoners. The Charities Department. with no
alternative bni manufacturing crazy men whole
sale. must rejoice NJ any call for prisoners
labor.
There are only Two obstacles 10 the carrying
out of this humane plan. one Is simply that OF
arranging practical details. aud tha! is no great
pr than the obstacle encountered in beginning
any large business enterprise. II with all the
experience of the world in outdoor cOnvici work
the Brooklyn authorities have not enough execll-
tive ability TO carry On This scheme they should
give up attempts 10 manage public affairs The
other obstacle j. "A phantom. which any official
should Ec ashamed 10 confess stood in his way.
That i the fear OF antagOliZlng some small
body Of voters 10y doing right. This Is no;
real thing II does no; exist. II j. tgment
of timid imagination. Nobody vii! be hurt by
work on the East Side Lands. No honest Ia
borer will lose penny and few will make
some pennies for some honest skilled workers
would have 10 be put in charge. But even il
there were antagonisms 10 be feared. official
duty would be plain. The idle cOnv.cts are 90
ne mad Work must he found for them. and
responsibility for finding II rests on the authori-
lies II cannot br avoided by shufng between
Departments |; must he met by ali who from
human feeling Onght 10 strive 10 give the con
vlcts work instead OF seeking not 10 give IL
Those who through cowardlce or inertDcss
help to make our prisons wreckers of reason