The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1907-05-10

crafty to all the Maple River Farm
ers' Club in unison with a large num-
Der of invited guests including men,
bers of several other clubs held its
April meeting at the pleasantly To-
Gated and congenial home OF Mr.. and
Mrs. Ira Snyder and their daughter,
Miss Alta. 1t was obviously appar-
ent that every member OF the club
foresaw a pleasant occasion awaiting
them and long before the appointed
hour many had arrived to partake OF
the warm hospitality always extend
ed to guests at the Snyder home.
The fact that the season was very
busy did not detain many at home
and the meeting proved very en-
joyable occasion.
This being the first meeting of the
afternoon session, president P. B.
Reynolds call order at the regular
hour and the business part of the
program taken up. Several matters
were brought up for discussion rela-
tive to club work. There being a
vacancy to fill in the club order of
election was taken up resulting in
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Wilcox being
made eligible to membership. The
regular program for the afternoon
followed in which many interesting
subjects were earnestly discussed.
The topic, Resolve that Convict
Labor could be more Effectively En-
ployed in the Interest of Good
Roads than in the Manufacture OF
Binder Irvine" Affirmative, P. B.
Reynolds Negative, Clayton Cook.
The judges for the occasion were the
listeners. 1t was the object of both
sides to analyze and present fact that
would throw new light upon the sub
ject rather than pursue contradictory
augmentation. Mr.. Reynolds thought
we could utilize convict labor to a
great advantage in constructing stone
roads. In some Of the southern
states convict labor has been en-
ployed for some time in building
stone roads with excellent results.
In Michigan there are large stone
quarres that are valueless because of
the great cost of labor to handle the
rock This rock is Of little value for
building construction, but makes the
best of material for road construc-
ZION. 1t has been computed that with
the employment of convict labor this
rock could be dug out and loaded up
on cars for less than a shilling per
tom In localities where there is no
material for road construction this
means would reduce road building to
such a low cost that good roads could
be built at small expense,
Mr.. Cook then opened the negative
side Of the question. There is no
question but what convict labor could
be advantageously employed in road
construction said Mr. Cook, but | be-
lieve it would be a greater benefit
to the agricultural classes in general
to have our convicts manufacturing
an article that would cheaper cost of
production on the part OF the pro-
Queer Several states now are en-
ploying convict labor in the manufac-
ture of binder Irvine and they have
found they can produce the same
quality of goods for anywhere from a
cent and half to three cents below
other manufacturers. Then too, the
fact that we have a large number of
long timers i'll our prisons it would
give the state chance to furnish
to men that could be-
come experts in the work, thus sup
plying the public with a high grade
article.
Miss Jessie McGillvra then read a |
very interesting paper upon the sub
ject, THE Forest Ranges" In her
description, Miss McGillvra gave a |
very interesting account of our for
est reservations in the western part
@ the states which was highly en-
j. ed by all.
Our Obligations to the Aged was
th> subject of a we'll thought-up
pa fr presented by Mrs. Will Scran-
to' We owe great deal to our
ag. and forefathers. They were the
br ders of our great nation. We
ow Our present progress to those
who preceded us. 1t should be the |
am OF every true American citizen
to respect and honor the aged in
their declining days as recompense
for the many things they leave be-