Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-03-06

or Local Interest Only.
There are several Joint resolutions
proposing amendments ofelocal inter-
est only. The more important matters
OF this nature pressing for action are
those which have 10 do with the cm-
ployment OF convicts. As has been
previously stated in these letters, the
situation Is quite critical and bids fair
90 become more so unless relief is af-
forded. A few days ago Warden Full
Ter OF the Ionia prison was before the
Joint committees arguing strenuously
In favor OF the elimination from the
constitution the provision that mo me-
chanical trade hereafter shall be
taught TO convicts in the state prison.
except for the manufacture of those
articles OF which the chief supply for
home consumption Is imported from
other states or countries"
In view of the recent decision Of the
supreme court this subject. Warden
Fuller declared that unless the con-
stitution is amended rs suggested
there will soon be 500 idle conyicts
In the prison of which he has charge,
The great financial burden and the
danger OF maintaining these prisoners
i'm idleness was dwelt upon. rs IL
will he necessary 10 employ Tree
labor to do all the baking. Plumbing.
cooking painting. carpenter work. etc,
about the prison which is now done
by inmates. The same situation con
fronts the other two state prisons. so
IL will lie seen that the condition is Il
serious one. The campaign which re-
suited i'm the recent judicial interpreta-
ton of the constitution was waged by
union labor. which. il has been sug-
gcsted will be glad 10 cooperate in
measures of relief il the case is prop
erly presented.
Binder Irvine Plant ut Jackson.
Petitions for the establishment of
binder Irvine plant in the prison ~
Jackson are still pouring in upon the
legislature in large numbers from all
sections OF the state. The Internation-
nj Harvester company. otherwise the
Irvine trust. is equally as active in its
efforts to defeat the project. its latest
of an announcement that the state viii
lose vast sums if il engages in the
manufacture of Irvine and that mas
much as the trust controls all twine
machinery the state will le unable TO
equip plant. Just how other states
have secured machinery for plants now
being operated at splendid profits in
their prisons is not explained by the
trust.
For some reason or other the trust
* wonderfully agitated over condi-
ton which il insists cannot possibly
obtain. Further 10y way of being con.
sistent the trust is having its agents
circulate the story that it will he smp.
ly tickled TO death 10 have the state
engage in the business for the reason
that this movement would crush out
It's small competitors and enable IL &c
get couple of cents Il pound more
for It's products. Here is con
glomeration of conflicting emotions
hard To beat You pays your money
and YOU takes your choice"
Opposed by Commissioners Earle.
State Highway Commissioner Earle
IL opposing the prison twine project
because he wants the cOnvicts EN-
ployed M crushing stone and making
good roads. Governor Warner meets
this opposition with the claim that
there are plenty OF convicts TO take
care OF both projects If desired. In
Illinois. where the prison stone crush
ing industry Is well developed only -
per cent. OF the prisoners are identi-
fed with 1t. according 10 II special re
port made ny Governor Deneen last
week. Michigan could do as we'll or
better and still have more than enough
conyicts TO manufacture Irvine.
Willie all this is taking place. the
Legislature is quietly looking into the
Irvine proposition. Several senatx's
went 10 Michigan city. Ind. last week
10 investigate the workings of THE
plant i'm the prison nj that place.
Railroads Have n Hearing.
The railroads had an all day hear
ing before the SENATE railroad commit
tee OH the denurrage bill. They made
the best Of the opportunity. the several
attorneys presenting Il long array OF
facts and figures TO support their con-
tention That the car shortage situation
is not the fault OF the railroads az
all. but rather in Il large measure thar
Of the shippers. who hold cars much
longer than necessary. The railroad
representatives said they would give
much for regulation that would
cause ears TO be retained TO Them
after being delivered to other roads
Yesterday number of railroad Of
ficials met with Railroad COMMISSIONS
or Glasgow and several legisl.~ors ~
consider the details If the bills es-
tablishing Il railroad commission OF
three members TO take the place Of the
present one man commission and TO
have extensive powers I'm the line of
regulating matters of this kind. II Is
not unlikely that this bill will become
n law. Tomorrow the companies will
have another field day here. when the
legislative committees give hearing
on the bill reducing lower pensinsula
30 a.. milo