White Pine news weekly mining review. [volume] (East Ely, Nev.) 1910-1920, 1911-01-22

49, ~ CaCtb az -
ton.
The conduct and management Oh
the state prison during the past two
years has been worthy of speciai
commentator, both from the stand
point of practical economy and the
introduction, SO far as possible. Oh
just and humane treatment of the
convicts.
The per diem cost of maintenance
of prisoners has been reduced from
$1.03 each, for the years 1907 and
1908, to 91k cents for the last two
years. The last legislature appro-
priated s175,745 for the mainten-
ance of the prison for the succeed
ing two years, and OF this sum an
unexpended balance of $57,94940z
reverted to the general fund at the
beginning of the present year. The
average number of prisoners during
the year 1910 wal 1877.
The present ~penitentiary building
Is old, o~vercrowded, unsanitary and
unadapted to any classification OF
convicts according to modern prison
methods.
While the warden has managed to
CpdIdl CCItdlu VI lnG lnObI blClOuo
prisoners from the others, It is i'm
possible to prevent the contamination
of young lawbreakers by their de-
PRAYED associates and to protect the
healthy from those afflicted with tu-
berculosis and other infectious dis
eases.
The last legislature appropriated
$205 600 for the construction of a
new prison and $4,000 for the pur-
chase of machinery to establish some
form of industrial work for the pris-
oners. The latter appropriation Is
still intact in the treasury.
From the former, $31,439.55 has
actually been disbursed, which in
cludes the purchase of the Schultz
farm In Ormsby county for $4,000.
The farm contains 114O acres. II
has been put In good repair in re-
spect to buildings and fences and Is
operated by convicts. Last season
about 400 tons of hay were harvest
ed. Additional water for Its irriga-
ton is being developed and possibly
in a few years the larger part of the
entire tract can be brought under
cultivation.
The farm is designed ultimately to
produce most of the food consumed
by the conyicts, and for other state
institutions.
The balance remaining in the ap-
preparation for the new prison is sub
ject to a certain contract (unlesA
the same is annulled) executed by
the former prison board on Decem-
Der 28th last, Immediately preceding
the expiration of their terms of Of
flee. in the sum of $147,570 for iron
and steel work for 240 cells.
There is, therefore, a net balance
left in this fund of but ~$25,990.45
applicable to building, construction,
etc.
The tentative estimate of the state
engineer places the approximate cost
of the new prison, completed, at the
prison farm, using convict labor so
far as practicable in its construction,
at about s205,000 over and above
the amount of the contract mention
ed, or a total of about $355,000, IN
round numbers, as the final cost
thereof. The time required for its
construction would be about eigh-
teen months from date of beginning.
Alleged Irregularities In the
awarding of the contract for cells
have been the subject of public COM
ment, and my attention has been
called to matters connected there
with which require mor investiga-
tion than l have yet been able to de-
vote to 1t.
|. therefore, withhold, at the pres
ent time, any recommendations with
respect to the matter of the new
prison, and will make n same the
subject of a future special message
to your honorable bodies.
Roads and Highways.
Good roads are no longer to be
considered a luxury, but as a neces-
sity, by any progressive community.
Nevada has an unenviable reputation
for possessing bad roads, and as a
result We are losing a large source of
] business derivable from au-
tomobile tourist travel.
The conditions in this state are
such, as a general rule, that good
highways can be constructed and
maintained at a minimum cost and
expense. California is expanding mil
lions of dollars in perfecting a sys-
tenn Of highways throughout the
state.
Nevada, as a business proposition,
aside from the ordinary benefits de-
rived from good roads, can gain a
portion of this business by the build
ing of a suitable highway having a
terminal connection with the Cali
fornia road at Lake Tahoe.
There is being worked out a great
national highway system, one of the
main arteries of which will be be-
tween the Atlantic and Pacific
coasts and ~traversing Nevada.
The work of Its construction will
devolve upon the states, and We
should, as rapidly as we may. COM
plete our portion between Utah ana