Yellowstone monitor. [volume] (Glendive, Mont.) 1905-1928, 1910-02-03
Would Utilize Convict Labor
Making Twine

OF securing a permit for a power plan
on the Hellgate forest, and also OF
the visit of the officials to the prison
at Saltwater, MINI.
The board was informed that while
the officials were in Washington they
had called upon the secretaries Of the
interior and agriculture and also con.
ferred with the states representa-
tives in congress concerning the sci.
ection of a reservoir and power house
on the Hellgate reservation of Powell
county for the genera tion Of light ano
power at the state prison. The board
was advised that the cabinet members
thought the best they could do was te
grant an easement for term of years,
an absolute grant not being permis-
sible except by act Of congress.
In this connection, the report states
that after the authors had advised the
Minnesota state prison, it was all the
more apparent that such a step be
taken, and therefore every effort
should be made to further the pro
ject. They declare it will result in 9
great saving to the state and that if
manufacturing Of any kind is ever de-
termined upon, the cheap power will
mean greater profits, binding twine
being cited as a possible instance. II
is predicted that the Montana prison
could thus make ii cheaper than is
done in Minnesota.
To the state board of prison com
missioners- they also submitted the
following
Pursuant to your direction Wesgisit.
ed the state prison of the state oil
Minnesota, located at Saltwater, or
Sunday, the 23rd day of January,
1910. We examined very carefully anc
in detail the binding twine plant, To-
Gated at both the old and the new
prison, as this was the matter ir
which our board is chiefly interested.
In the old prison they have installed
and are using about 375 spindles,
while in the new prison they have in
stalled and are using 125 spindles.
This furnishes employment in all fol
approximately $50 men.
From data submitted to us the bind
ing twine industry has been a very
profitable one for the state of Mime
sofa, and the state prison has been
source Of revenue over and above tht
cost of maintenance of the state prison
The prisoners are employed in this
institution in the making OF shoes.
farm machinery and binding tWine
In the binding tWine industry alone
the net profit yielded from 1891 t
1909 inclusive, has amounted to the
sum of 81 AT, 7l2. OF, and for the pas
two years the sum Of S306, 600.
The twine industry is charged witt
the cost Of the labor at the rate Q.
65 cents per day for each convict EN-
ployed.
The cost Of keeping the convlctE
thus employed is paid and the proh
above named obtained.
From our examination of the bind
inc twine plant at the new prison an
from conversation had with the war
den. we are Of the opinion that a suit
able plant can be installed in tn
state Of Montana at cost OF not ex
ceeding $40, 900; $40, 600 for the. build
ing, provided same is constructed b.
nrison labor, and $50, 900 for all nee
essary machinery. The building si1ou4'
be two stories and approximately o
BY 12o feet, with plentyo light an
ventilation. There should also 2
Eerected in connection with the bnlid
ing a single story warehouse Of ap
proximately 12o feet square.
In order to get the material 2
hand for manufacturing purposes, an
to start the work in q business II
manner, in addition to the money nee
essary for buildings and machinery