The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-22
Beginning in Modest Way Thorough Trial Will Be
 Made of System
DIR. LOVELADY TALKS
 ON BOARDS PLANS
Majority of Board in Letters to Age Herald Committed Themselves Before Election to Trial
 of the System

The new board of revenue which will enter upon its duties November IS will, in accordance with the prediction pledges of the majority of Its members, initiate the policy of working cvonvicts on the county roads.
 At a recent meeting of the members of the next board this matter was informally discussed. and while nothing definite was determined, the majority reached tenta- tive agreement concerning the course which will be pursued
 As a result, it is very probable that to- ward the conclusion of next year a com paratively few convicts of short term sen- tences, will be put on the road. The num- Der will be gradually increased until the new idea will have been given a fair trial.
 Dr. Lovelady Talks
 Dr. R. F. Lovelady, member of the present board, who will be a member of the next, is in favor of gradually remov- ing the convicts from the mines and em- ploying them on the roads.
 However" said he yesterday, it would be folly to start the work before prepara- tions are made. The new board will go into office November 15 and between that date and January 1. when the holidays are taken out. very short space of time in tervenes. such a short space. as matter of fact. that 1t would be impossible to make the necessary preparations for working convicts on the road.
 'sTherefore, l will suggest that the Pratt company be requested to continue to take the convicts of the county. We will begin making preparations for the new move. and by the beginning Of the court term next year will be in position to test the innovation.
 The Modest Beginning
 'sTo begin with, we will probably have comparatively few convicts on the road, say 25 or 3O After a short while we will have become accustomed to handling these men in the open and will gradually increase the number.
 ''On account of the sentiment which is overwhelmingly in favor of employing convicts on the roads, the innovation, as far as this county is concerned. should be given a fair trial We recognize that 1t is more humane to employ the men in the open, and that by their labor a magnif- cent system of highways can be constructs ed in our county.
 .On the other hand, we realize that 1t would be utmost folly to attempt in a day to revolutionize system which has been in vogue for many years"
 Majority in Accord
 A majority of the members of the new board of revenue, prior to the date on which they were elected. made open state ments to the effect that they were in favor of working convicts on the roads, and would, in case of their election, strive to the end that such might be brought about. pr. Lovelady, Hugh McGeever, W. J. Cameron and L. H. Pennington authorized statements to the above effect. It is un- derstood that Rufe R. Bivens, the fifth member, is also in accord.
 These pledges were published in The Age-Herald and the ease with which the viotors rode into office indicated that the people desired the convicts taken from the mines as soon as possible and put to work on the roads of the county.