The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-08-19

victs. Yet, In many cases, the character
of the work thus done on behalf of the
state is such that the doing of it by con-
victs necessarily lessons the opportunities
Of employment of free mechanics to that
extent
The discussion of this general subject
in these columns a few days ago by
Deputy Labor Commissioner Olsen
brought out what appears to be on it's
face a valuable suggestion 1t is that
the labor Of state convicts should be
utilized in the manufacture of sugar. In
this behalf Mr.. Olsen says:
How would 1t be If this state Of Min
nesota, instead of ramming a cash bonus
of from 500, 900 to 10000 down the throat
of the sugar trust via the Gus Theden
route. devoted this money and some moro
towards equipping a beet sugar factory
of its own and employing number of
its convicts in cultivating and handling
the sugar beets, and another number in
manufacturing the same into sugar!
Surely the idea is worth considering. The
reforma tory at st. Cloud has In connee-
ton very extensive farm-considerabiy
more than a thousand acres. Why not
cultivate it for purpose like this? Beet
raising for the sugar trust WIFI never De-s
come remunerative in this state. Beet
raising for a sugar factory owned by the
prove different proposition for our
farmers. In this way convict labor in
stead OF competing with free labor might
prove the means of stimulating and in
creasing it.
Mr.. Olsen states the effect of that bonus
provided for the beet-growing industry
correctly when he refers to it as stuffing
$4,000 or $4,000 bonus down the throat
of the sugar trust. The amount might
as well be paid directly to the trust in
question. 1t is the only possible BEN
eficiary in the last instance. If 1t is the
cultivation of the beet which is sought,
let the experiment be carried on under
the direction of the state. The expert
ment is much more likely to be success
full then than when conducted by in
dividuals who never seriously think of
the utilization of the plan in the manner
which the law contemplates. If the ulti-
mate idea is the cheapening OF sugar,
infinitely more can be accomplished
through the establishment Of a state beet
sugar manufactury than through the
squandering Of the public funds on pri-
vate individuals on the pretense that
the state Is to derive some advantage
from the proceeding
The Sact that the state is In possess
sion of a farm Of 1000 acres or over,
as stated by Mr.. Olsen. offers an addi-
tional reason why the experiment should
be entered on. The success of the bind
ing Irvine experiment has been such that
the farmers are materially benefited,
while the convicts are kept probably en-
ployed. and no harm is done in any di-
rection to free labor. 1t is in some such
line of employment that state convicts
can be kept engaged if free labor is not
to suffer. The sugar trust is even more
dangerous than the binding twine trust.
1t is true that no great results may be
looked for in the way of offering com
petition to the sugar trust. But out of
such beginning great results are al
ways possible; and the undertaking
which Mr.. Olsen suggests, if conducted
under competent supervision and with
proper regard to the interest of the state,
may prove of much value relatively
to the state and its people as the ex-
pertinent of binding Irvine has proven to
be.
If the commission recently appointed
by the governor on the subject Of prison
labor should deem it within it's functions,
it might devote some inquiry and thought
to the suggestion made by the deputy
labor commissioner, who may be regard
ed, in this instance, as to some extent
Voicing the sentiments of the members
of organized labor on the general prop
ostion of the utilization of prison labor
in Minnesota.