The San Francisco call., 1898-12-20
SELLS TOBACCO ID THE CONNECTS Parole Clerks Traffick- ing at San Quentin. HAS WARDENS PERMISSION DIRECTOR WILKINS MAKES A
 DISCOVERY. MT. Hale Offers the Excuse That He Approved of the Infraction
 in Order to Discourage
 Smuggling.
HAS WARDEN'S PERMISSION
DIRECTOR WILKINS MAKES A
 DISCOVERY.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

SAN QUENTIN PRISON. Dec. 19.- holds of San Quentin has been en- gagged in selling tobacco to the con- Victs, and it was only when the mat ter was brought to the attention of Prison Director James H. Wilkins that a searching investigation by him dis covered the fact that Reynolds was trafficking with the prisoners by con- sent of Warden Hale. The facts in the case will be laid before the board of directors at it's next meeting.
 Director Wilkins, whose duty it is as resident director to take special cog nizance of such affairs demanded why the practice was permitted in violation of the rules laid down by the Board of Prison Directors, and even by the Warden himself and received the re- ply that as the amount of tobacco al- lowed the prisoners by the State was inadequate for their needs. the Warden had thought it best to permit it to be sold to them in order To prevent its being smuggled through the gates. As it is against prison rules for the priS- oneTs to be in possession of any money, this excuse failed to satisfy the in- dignant director, and he immediately announced his intention of bringing the matter up at the next meeting of the Prison Board. The importance of the affair and the momentOuS conse- quences that may follow from an in- VeStigatiOn of this character can only be Surmised.
 Prior to the great strike in the jute mill two years ago every prisoner was allowed weekly pound of tobacco, either for smoking or chewing, or a wi. n1f .E I'd ,I and half of the other, as suited him best. During the strike it was found that the force of guards on duty was totally inadequate to cope with the diff faculties of such a condition and more guards had to be placed on duty. In order to save the State the expense of hiring these additional guards, the prisoners had their weekly supply of tobacco diminished, and since then have been allowed only one-siXth of pound weekly. This plan had the ef- feet also of punishing them for their unruly behavior.
 The tobacco is distributed every Sat urday and lasts the average user only until the succeeding Monday or Tues day. Consequently they were supposed to do without the weed for the remain der of the week unless they managed to smuggle it in small quantities through the gates. Supposed" is said adVisedly, for it is now known that for several months such of the prison CTS as could afford it have purchased all they wished to use from Parole Clerk Reynolds, who is also the War den'S StenOgrapher. Most of Reynolds supply was bought in San Rafael at the stores of C. Grosjean and L. La ViOsa.
 One of the most rigid rules of the prison is that not only shall no convict be permitted to have any money In his possession, but that no person shall be allowed to sell or give them anything. When Director Wilkins learned a few days ago that Reynolds was selling tobacco to the prisoners he suspected that in this manner good deal of the opium used by the inmates had found its way inside the walls. He laid plan to catch Reynolds in the act, and, being aware that Warden Hale must cooper ate in such a proceeding, sent for him to come to San Rafael. The Warden met Wilkins and dumfounded the Di- rector by admitting that the parole clerk was selling tobacco with his knowledge and consent
 If Warden Hale knew tobacco was being sold prisoners he also knew that they had money, itself a contraband article. His failure to consult with the Board of Directors before permitting so important an infraction of the rules Is peculiar. Director Wilkins asserted at the close of the consultation that the matter would have to be brought up before the board at the January meet Ing.
 T am exceedingly sorry that this has reached the public" said Director Wilkins this evening, "as the printing of such things never fails to have a tendency to cast reproach on prison af fairs, whether or not anything comes of it. It is true that Warden Hale and myself disagree on the advisability of permitting anybody to sell to the con victs tobacco, but the discussion be- tween us was perfectly friendly. Of course, as it is contrary to prison reg ulations, l shall be obliged to call it to the attention of the board at the next meeting, but l hope that the tangle can, be strengthened out satisfactorily to