The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1910-04-30
CONVICT LABOR QUESTION IN
MICHIGAN Is MOST PUzzLINC
Commission Appointed by Gov
ernor Warner Inactive for
the Time Being.
TO MAKE REPORT NEXT YEAR

Marquette, Mich, April 3O.-Ac-
cording to r. G. Anthony OF Negaunee
member OF the board OF control of the
Marquette prison, and who Is alsO a
member of the commission on prison
porting to the legislature by the first
OF the new year on ways and means
Of employing convict labor To the best
advantage, little has. yet been done
looking to the preparation of a report
the commission has held but one
meeting, and nothing To speak of was
accomplished then. The commission Is
subject to the call of Governor War
ner, and will not convene again until
he sets time and place. Mr.. An
thony expects, however. that the COM
mission will be called together in
after engage itself actively with the
work of getting together data on the
question ii must take up. II is en-
powered to visit prisons outside the
state and make a general survey OF
the field Of convict labor.
NIt llInt hIltH lnt GOIl-
mission has carried its work TO some
advanced point. Mr. Anthony is re-
luctant to express his views about the
subject of convict labor. He will take
up the inquiry with open bind. pre-
pared to apply the experience of other
states in determining his attitude on
what may best be recommended to
the Michigan legislature. The sub
ject, he SAYS. is one involved i'm diff
culties and 1t is Impossible to, predict
just what conclusions the commission
will likely reach.
IF we could get seventy-five cents
man for convict labor l would GER
tainly favor the present system" Mr..
Anthony said yesterday. AT seven
ty-five cents a man we could make
the Marquette prison self-supporting
and at the same time be able to keep
the convict body healthy and en-
ployed on work that would teach the
convicts habits of industry and pre-
pare them for productive employment
when they are discharged. We are
getting considerably more money for
the labor than the board did a few
years ago. but think the labor ought
to be worth seventy-ive cents a man
n day. However. THE contractors
don't appear willing to pay It,"
Fear Bad Situation.
1t is feared that there is likely to
he a bad situation in the prisons as a
result of the passage of the prison
labor law by the last legislature. This
statute fortbids the making of new
contracts pending the report of the
prison labor commission. II is hoped
this commission will be able to rec
ommend a plan for employing prison
tabor that will meet with the approx
al Of the legislature. but there can be
no certainty as to this. for there is
islature in regard to what should be
done with the convicts. Unless the
report is strong and
and thus of nature TO
bring support to the ideas 1t advances,
II Is regarded as likely that the next
session of the legislature will pass
without. any definite prison labor poll
icy being authorized by law.
In that event the governor and war
dens are empowered to make arrange
ments for continuing the present CO.
tracts, but they cannot authorize new
contracts. and thus II would become
impossible to secure better
rates for the labor than are now be-
ing paid