Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1899-08-07
CONVICT LABOR.
MIR. n. 8. Ketchum opposes a Dc,
ciston of the Board of Control.

Alr. N. 9. Ketchum Opposes q De.
cisiOn of the Board of Control.
Editor Times Republican-Dear Sir:
I notice in your paper of the 9th inst.
that the board OF control has or are
about to contract with company to
manufacture butter tubs at the Ana
mosa penitentiary, to whom they con-
tract labor at so cents per day per man.
This move on the part OF the board (if
they have the authority IS going to
work a great hardship to one OF the
very best industries our state possesses.
1t will deprive many mechanics and la
borers Of employment in the many To-
calities where these goods are now
produced
That industry is of its character lo-
cal one-butter tubs can be made in our
midst. In the smaller towns and vll-
ages among the dairy district these
small tub factories have sprung up all
over our state. giving employment to a
large number OF people right at their
homes This convict contract will con-
|fiscate these local factories and drive ell
the small concerns out of business. No
manufacturer can employ labor at Its
value outside the prison walls and COM
pete with that contract-at SO cents per
day.
In my opinion 1t will work notice
able hardship to the mechanics and la
borers of our state-w11en manufacture
ing is quite limited at .best-espscially
those seeking employment in that in
dustry.
do not like the plan. do not like
these encroachments made upon the
manufacturing enterprises Of our state
do not like to see our mechanics and
laborers Handicapped by convict labor
contracts, and am sorry our board OF
control entertained proposition to
place this particular industry-one that
is of Its character of so much value to
| the many localities-not requiring large
capital and large plants. but one that
can use the labor so prevalent in our
smaller Iowa towns. as they are doing.
and proftably, all of which this con-
tract must deprive them of
BY thus fixing the convicts' price OF
labor who can compete and pay honest
wages? If the convict must be ems
ployed. l have in my mind a much bet
| ter plan and one of less injury to our
mechanics and laborers, which / will
withhold in this letter for want of
space. would, however, suggest that
Iif the convict must be employed in this
particular industry he be paid wages
/ the same as are current outside. AS a
/ check to the contractor going on the
market with wares produced at prices
Impossible by the outside manufactures,
4 l would suggest that the board of con-
troll see to it that the goods be In
spected and marked. Made by the An
Iamosa penitentiary." the same as cleo
margarine, and fix the prices on the
product so that they would in every
way go on the market at as little en-
barrassment as possible to outside la
Dor and capital thus equalizing in
every sense the product of the many
little and growing manufactures in this
I line in our state.
/ must enter my protest against any
state official leasing penitentiary labor
at prices competing with that current
outside the walls for the purpose of
manufacturing commodities and plac-
ling them on the market at such prices
as would be a loss to an outside man
Iufacturer employing current labor
i Believing, as do, that there is a way
of solving the penitentiary labor prob
lem without oppression to our people
land the manufacturing industries of
Iowa, and should be so observed by
those in authority, / am very truly
yours, n. S. KETCHUM.
Marshalltown. Iowa, Aug. Z, 1899.