The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-07-06
100000 POWER
HOUSE At SPE|GNER
FORMALLY OPENED
In Presence of Distinguished
Assemblage Gov. O'Neal
Presses Button Which
Starts the Machinery

Montgomery, July 5-tspeoiai.94- In the
presence of a large number of state Of
cials and prominent visitors from Mont
gomery and Elmore counties, Governor
o'Neal at noon today at speigner pressed
the button that started the new hydro
electric power plant and set the machin-
cry of the cotton mill in motion.
Prior to setting off the machinery of the
large cotton mill. Governor oNeal de-
elared In a few remarks that the dreams
of the engineer in charge of the vast
work had become a reality, and that the
state would henceforth reap the benefit of
one of the most important pieces of work
ever accomplished in Alabama.
Words of Cheer for Convicts
Governor O'Neal was then ushered to
a platform within the stockade, where he
delivered an address in the presence of
more than 1000 people. To the convicts as
sembled before him the governor uttered
words of cheer and hope. telling them that
their reform was the principal object to
be accomplished in their incarceration, and
that the revenue which they brought the
state was purely secondary considera-
ton.
The governor spoke for nearly an hour,
and he was frequently interrupted during
the course of his remarks by loud ap-
plause by his auditors. The speaker told
of the operation of the state convict sys-
tenn under his fathers administration and
called attention to the various changes
which had been made in the treatment of
the criminal class during the past rs
years.
Shackles Must Be Removed
Regarding his recent order for the re-
moval of shackles from convicts, the gov
ernor declared that he was determined
that his decree should be carried out
IF my order is not obeyed." said the
governor, II have the pardoning power in
my hands, and shall exert it if that
course shall appear necessary
The governor declared that in his opin-
ion there should be no distinction be-
tween state, county and city convicts;
that they should all be under the super
vision of the state board OF convict in
ject to the rules governing state convicts
With reference to working convicts on
the public roads, the governor said he
favored the plan under operation in coun-
ties in which the convicts were not shack
led, maintaining that from a humani-
tartan viewpoint 1t was a crime to COM
pei the criminal class to work the public
roads with a ball and chain strapped to
their feet.
Governor O'Neal told of the work OF
Engineer e. B. Kay. in constructing the
dam at Speigner. The work has been In
progress for about three years. and the
total cost, which included all machinery
in the power plant and other expenses
was about $4,000
1t is estimated that the power plant will
furnish 500 horse power. and that the ca
pacity of the mill will be trebeled as a
result of the new plant. The mill now has
S754 spindles and is consuming an enor-
nous amount of cotton weekly
The profits of the manufactured prod
ucts are averaging the state s1100 weekly
which is net to the state.
In addition to the Increased capacity
of the mill. 1t is estimated that the new
power plant will save the state about
$4,000 annually in fuel. Heretofore the cot
ton mill has been operated by steam
which has resulted in an immense coal
bill every year, thereby cutting down
much of the profit on the manufactured
product.
Barbecue Served
The day at Speigner was success In
every feature. Following the governors
address barbecue was served the pris-
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