Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1901-05-09
OUTLOOK FOR TWINE.

FOR TWINE.
WARDEN BOUCHERIs MAKING AZ
"TRIP THROUGH THE WHEAT
DISTRICT SIZING UP THE CROP
PROSPECTS,.
Warden Boucher of the state peni-.
tentiary at Bismarck arrived in the
city last evening and left this morning
for Grafton and other points in the
northern part OF the state, says the
Grand Forks Plaindealer. MIR. Boucher
is on a trip through the valley, sizing;
up the5crop situation from the staad
point OF a binder Irvine man. Last
evening at Hotel Dakotan he tallsei
freely of, the work being carried IN at
the state institution and was firmly
convinced that there was no other oc-
cupation at which conyicts could BIZ
employed that would do the same
amount of good and at the same time
conflict in SO small a degree with pri-
waite enterprise. .i #
ttWhile it is. true" remarked the
warden, that there is some objection
tc the convicts being employed at the
manufacture of binder twine, this obs
lection comes only from class of
dealers whose profits are affected ina
small degree by the work being done
at the penitentiary. AS matter of
fact the mount of Irvine manufactured
at the penitentiary is not more than
one-tenth OF the entire amount COM
summed in this state. Its manufacture,
however, has a tendency to keep the
price of Irvine down to a figure which
~insures but a fair profit to the middle
man or dealer. MI :
'""It must be remembered that the
| state has a duty to these men who are
deprived of their liberty, as well as
the men owing a %reparation to society
for their misdeeds. In my opinion 1t
would be a most inh,lman policy to
take these men and lock them*ups day
after day in their cells with nothing to
do. I gave the question of work for
them much thought and study and fin
ally came to the conclusion that a
Irvine; plant would do the greatest good
to the greatest number, and conse-
quently recommended and urged an APP
preparation for the plant. I have seen
nothing to change my opinion.
The great advantage of this plant
is that it allows the mento be employ
ed when there is nothing else for them
to do during the winter months. Tits
not "a difficult matter to find occupa-
ton during the summer, but in the
winter tits another matter and has
always taxed our resourcesto the ut
most to find employment.
t the present time the plant is not
running to Its full capacity, This is
due to the appropriations two years
ago being exhausted and toth fact
that the appropriation Of the last leg
islature is not yet available for use.
Just at the present moment little if
any work is being done inSthe tWine
plant but we hope to start up very
soon. e s
With the plant running at its full
capacity we would be able to turn ont
about 10000 pounds Of Irvine perSday,
but so far have not been running over
halt our capacity. BY running full ca
pacity the output for as#year would be
from 3,oOo,0 600 and 100000 pounds.
but / will. be well satisfied If the output
this year reaches I 800, 900 pounds.
Mr.. boucher stated that the last
prisoner to reach the pen from this
county was Wilson, who was sent up
for a year for obtaining money under
false pretenses. Norman, The whole
sale murderer, who received q life sen
tence for the killing OF a family near
Larimore about four years 8 is ap-
parently well content with his lot and
is q good prisoner, giving noStarooubole
whatever to the authorities 4
guards #S5
Before returning to the ~penitentiary
MIR Boucher will make tour OF the
wheat district 9th state investigate
ing the tWine situation. He states
that there is not the slightest doubt
that the farmers Of the state, who are
the ones benefited BY the irvine plant
greatly appreciate the wisdom of cs.
tabIishing such an industry for The
state prisoners.
An Extensive Stock Raiser Tells How
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