The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-21
Contract With Mining Company Makes Special Provision for
 County Read Work
CITIZENS APPROVE PLAN
 OF CHANGE IN ROAD WORK
kettig Says convicts Will Be as h.. efficient as Free Labor Unless There Is More Skill In
 Management.

The county convicts can be put on the roads of Jefferson county tomorrowi If the Board of Revenue should decide to adopt this economic measure the Tennes- see company would have to give up 50 prisoners immediately for use on the roads. This is evident from copy of the sections of the contract, the claims that 1t would be impossible before December 31 notwithstanding.
 That the party of the first part will deliver to the party of the second part each and every one of the convicts sen- fenced to hard labor for the county of Jefferson on and after the first 1st day Of January, 1905, and until the 31st day of December, 1908, the said conyicts to be employed by the party of the second part in the work and labor of mining, and work in and around the mines manufac- turing plants and works of the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad company in the said county of Jefferson.
 Provision For Road Work.
 Provided, however that it is under stood that the said county of Jefferson hereby reserves and shall have the right at any time during the term of this con- tract to work not less than 25 nor more than 50 of said county convicts in build ing, repairing or improving the public roads of Jefferson county, and if said county shall determine to exercise said right such number of convicts as 1t shall elect to work on said roads shall during the time they are working on said roads. be excluded from the application of this contract, and the party of the second part will, at any time when the said county of Jefferson desires convicts, as above stipu- lated for work on public roads, deliver same according to instructions of the Board of Revenue of said county, and if at any time tine county of Jefferson shall decide to quit working convicts on the public roads the party of the second part will receive said convicts back under the terms of this contract. It is understood that this reservation in behalf of the county shall not be used for any other purpose than for working said convicts on the public roads, all convicts delivered during the term of this contract to be held until death or legal discharge even if term of sentence extends beyond De- cember Si, 19Os'
 John Wants Them on Roads.
 This makes it evident that the plan which is being urged by Birmingham cit izens can be put into effect immediately. Speaking along this line, Col. L. w. John. one of the pioneers oi the district, said yesterday. That is the very best thing you couio with them. It is hard matter to get any reliable dlrt digging free labor, but these men you have all the time.
 T worked cn;-victs in the mines at Pratt City several years, and I know what can be sctten cut of the prisoners, know wliy the separations do better with them thar frae labor, and I think they should be gotten out of the mines cos.i% tabor, and Fat to work on cheap work, whcre they can do the county most good.
 "The greatest aussLtage of the convict lacor is that when you call Jack he is always .here."
 J. Thad Mullin is one of the original movers for convets on the county roads. He has used the argument repeatedly and he favors the idea enthusiastically "We must have good roads. Every obstacle in the way must be removed and when an active board is elected it will be ex- pected to use the best labor in complet- ing our roads. .ne proposition is a good one and favor it.
 Alex T. London said: 'It seems to my mind to be a pretty good scheme. Give