The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-06-05
FGovernor Will Investigate the
Prison Situation.
what Will Be Done About Okla
homa COnvicts.
NO NOTICE Is SERVED.
Some of Them May Have to Stay
in Kansas.
State Authorities Not Anxious
to Keep Them.

Governor Hoch will go to Lansing
Saturday to talk over with warden
Haskell the approaching removal to
Oklahoma of the $50 Oklahoma pris-
oners now confined in the Kansas
state penitentiary.
Oklahoma must, under its contract,
give four months notice of Its inten-
ton to recall its prisoners, but there
seems to be an impression that Ok
lahoma may want to get its prisoners
on much shorter notice than that.
On the other hand, it is said that
II Kansas is inclined to insist, that
Oklahoma will find itself able to get
only about half of it's prisoners at all.
until their terms of sentence expire.
The prisoners sent to Lansing earlier
dn the history of the boarding mouse
arrangement were simply committed
to the Kansas penitentiary at Lansing
until their terms of sentence expire.
ESome think that Oklahoma can't law
fully transfer these prisoners any
where else, and that at Lansing they
will have to stay.
Governor Hoch said this morning:
"No official notice has been received
from Oklahoma that it desires to ter
inmate its contract with Kansas FOR
keeping its prisoners, but l have seen
in the press dispatches that the Ok
2
prisoners to work making roads.
also had a letter from a personal
friend in the Oklahoma legislature to
the effect that the Oklahoma prison.
ers will soon be recalled. Under the
contract Oklahoma is obliged TO give
a certain notice of withdrawal or pr1s-
oners. but I do not feel inclined to
insist upon any agreements which are
unimportant to the state of Kansas.
If we can arrange the work Gown
ha la mr.
ers can be sent back at once, II Will
be satisfactory to me-"
John c. Brown, chief clerk of the
penitentiary, came to Topeka this noon
on business, and in speaking or the
Oklahoma prisoners removal said:
"As far as being able to handle the
work of the prison without the Okla
hona prisoners is concerned, we could
probably do that better now than at
any other time of year, as the work in
the coal mines Is slack. 1t is my idea,
though, that there is no great rush on
the part of Oklahoma to get its prison.
ers home. They have a good many
things to arrange down there before
they are ready for their prisoners, and
IT would not surprise me If it was jan
uary before they want any change
made. In January the contract be-
tween the states expires. At the same
time, the contract with the furniture
factory people expires. and the furni-
ture factory could be eliminated, If de-
sired. About 125 men are employed in
that factory. which is a private estab-
lishment using convict labor
There are about 1900 inmates in the
prison, $50 of whom are from Oklahoma
and are taken care of by Kansas at SO
much per head. Oklahoma is now maxi
ing arrangements to build it's own peni-
Tertiary and will probably use its pris-
oners to do the work
Governor Hoch's visit to Lansing is
also for the purpose of investigating
some pardon applications. The COVER
nor will have some personal interviews
with convicts who desire to have their
sentences committed, or to have par
doris or paroles
interest to be investigated" said Gov
ernor Hoch. They are of Importance
chiefly to the men who want the par
dons, and the friends of those men"