The Salt Lake herald-Republican. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1909-1918, 1910-06-19

though only 20 square miles are popu-
lated. On the % miles 20 Chef Men
tcur. only IS had to be constructed by
was composed Of city asphalt streets
and a series OF splendid shell highways
IN the suburbs.
About this time Gov. Sanders. himself
good-roads enthusiast. devised a new
scheme Of using the convict labor IN
the open country rather than in the
The failure OF other cities in this par
ticular was assigned to the fact that
they farmed the criminals out and there
were many serious complaints against
the treatment OF the latter. who were
entitled TO at least human considera-
ton. 50 this up-to-date chief executive
arranged a new plan. In Louisiana,
the governor has the right to furnish
convicts for other work than on the
cotton and sugar plantations OF the
state, as long as they are not leased.
on these farms they have paid their
own expenses, but at times there are
more convicts than necessary. so in
conjunction with the autOmObilists IL
was arranged by the state authorities
late last fall TO organize camps OF
twenty four negro convicts each for
work on the roads. The white pris-
oncrs are used in the cOmmissary de-
rartment and all OF the men are
watched constantly.
The Motor league OF Louisiana agreed
20 take the first camps upon the fol-
salary Of the armed guards one-haIf
the cost OF the resident engineer. and
the Zee Of the visiting physician who
inspccts the negroes three times
week and the state agreed to furnish
the camp equipment. consisting OF a
cOmmissary wagon. one or two berth
wagons. a portable screened jail. tents.
etc.
February p OF this year the actual
work on this roadway was started and
the first formal Inspection took place
A ali T.
working six days n week. the convicts
have dug bitches and graded and
crowned roads for a distance OF about
four miles. from GENTLY road to
assurance Of the success OF this great
undertaking. II is estimated that e
win take eight months longer before
rough, work. IS completed. and. per-
haps, within this time they may have
an opportunity Of putting on the top
coat OF heavy gravel covered with a
dressing Of asphaltum oil.
Motorists Volunteer Services
Upon this pleasant Sunday in April
there congrcgated at a prominent point
ularly distinguished persons, who ar
ranged TO look over the ground thor
ougnly, and to give special attention -
the conditions OF the convict camp at
Lee station A number Of local motor
lists volunteered their services to carry
the state anu city officials to the scene
OF action. and the factory representa-
tives Of the Premier Motor Manufac-
time in the city. placed the big six
cylinder Wistaria Premier touring
car, which has been used by the SIN
periai potentate OF the Shriners during
the convention. at the disposal OF Gov
ernor J. Y Sanders. Ex-Governor W. W.
Heard, president OF the penitentiafy
= y. Williams in a Premier carried
+. T. Sykes and the newspaper men;
A. J. Stallings in Locomobile carr q
J. J. Frawley. president of the city
council. and James Reynolds, chief or
detectives; 9. H. Ellis. president OF the
United Fruit company in his Peerless
was accompanied by Henry Krohn and
Captain John Deibert, a wealthy ium-
herman. and Palmer Abbott in his
Packard carried Mr.. Miner, Mr.. AsCh-
aftenberg, Joseph Schwartz and G. r.
BOulcreaux. Others in the party were
n. =. Williams, r. J. Roderigue, NJ. B.
Fletcher OF the Premier company ana
the writer.
This party was driven through the
beautiful suburbs OF the city and out
into the bracing morning air, through
groups OF picturesque nergo shanties,
and bits OF woods and fig orchards. TO
the country OF the live oak and the real
southern scenery. 1t was interesting
TO the northerners in the party 10
travel over several miles OF she'll road
way. which are as hard and well KEEP
I as anything in Jersey, before coming
TO the new operations They were
/
constructed surface at a lively clip, and
| the new road appeared TO be particC-
/ larly solid and well drained. But b8-
| yond the point to which the improve
.nts have at present reached there
are miles where an automobile would
be useless. and indeed one OF the cars
sank 50 deeply as TO necessitate taking
Il out. This was just an apt fllustra
l ton OF the before and after treat
ment" and showed the necessity OF the
enthusiasm now Astounding. The Motor
I league has paid for the piOws, scrapers
and other machinery, and large num-
| Der OF the members have contributed
between 800 and $500 each to assure
the fuItherance Of the operations
Their success is leading other parishes
TO inquire about the movement and
Governor Sanders has assured them
I that any one in the state may rece7ce
organized camps OF convict labOrers.
The plans for the future call for a
| belt road around the entire city, with
[ n number OF well-prepared feeders III
TO the interior. As yet no definite ideas
have been formulated as TO series ~
| roads which would lead from New q
| leans. the principal city OF the stase,
/ 20 the large cities in the neignbOring
/ commemorative, such as Atlanta, Mo
/ bile. Memphis and Texas points. It =
very. probable that this viii be take
up as soon as the present situation Is
/ shown to be a phenomenal success and
one which bids fair TO give more IKE
I and wealth TO New Orleans than any
/ single factor in recent years.