The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-06-29

| cars or units that can be Joined to-
| gether until they resemble one build
ing. They are made of wood and steel,
are large and roomy, only one tier of
bed cots being maintained They are
well lighted, well ventilated and
equipped with sanitary fittings The
| large cook house is well screened and
| has every convenience to properly pre-
pare the daily food. Tents are pro-
vided for the warden, guards and other
officials all of which are provided with
suitable cots and board floors. The dim
ing room consists of a large tent with
sufficient tables and seats to accom-
modate the conviets, giving them plenty
of room. In fact all the camp equip
ment is ideal and suitable.
! When it was first decided to take the
county convicts out of the mines aud
place them on the public roads, there
were those who predicted that the ex-
pertinent would prove costly to the
| county. Those who had the matter IN
charge or who understood the situation
We're fully aware that the expenditure
| OF money would be necessary to put the
| system In operation and to maintain
fNe conVicts on the roads, but the peo-
..le vhange. and the members of the
| present board of revenue were elected
on a platform to work the roads of the
county with conticts, and proceeded
to put the system into effect While it is
too early in the game to predict either
| success or failure, yet, the cost of
| equipment has been moderate, the cost
/ OF maintainence surprisingly low, and
| the work performed of a high order and
the amount of road construction in the
/ Few weeks the convicts have been at
work really surprising.
Officers in Charge
The officers and working force of the
camp are William Pattie, superintendent
| OF conVlcts. under whose direct super
vision all the work is accomplished; r.
| H. Bowie Is warden and has full charge
| of the camp and convicts. Mr.. Bowie is
| an experienced man in this capacity; he
Is one of the "progressives" in working
! convicts and does not believe in punish
| ment except as last resort. He takes
/ the position that humane treatment will
| get the best results, and demands that
| this policy be adopted by those under
him. r. M. Warsen is road foreman, and
is recognized as an expert in this line
| he Is ably assisted by II. u Casey, also
road builder Of experience. c. Robin
son has charge of the commissary and
supplies.
/ The convicts are worked go hours each
| week, and are given three substantial
meals daily, well cooked and palatable
/ They are not stinted as to quantity, for
unlike Oliver Twist, they can TASK for
more If they feel inclined. Each convict
| is provided with two suits, stripes to
work in and a white suit after working
hours They seemed as well contented as
| is possible under the circumstances, and
of the 70 convicts in camp there were only
| four indisposed OF unable to work. Dr.
| w. A. Burns Is camp physician and no
| convict is allowed to be put on the road
unless he declares him physically fit.
Capable Men in Charge
With the exception of one blacksmith
and one driver, all the work in and about
| the camp is performed by convicts. The
blacksmith is quite genius and cuts
| the timber to make pick handles, SINGLE
trees and other needed articles. which he
| fashions himself. He shoes the mules, of
which there are 35, and it might be said
| in passing that there are no better stock
in the state or stock that is better cared
| for than those at the county convict
camp
The stables and mule lot are in charge
of white convict, who is trusty, and
"A very competent man at that, judging
from the appearance of the stables and
the stock. AT the camp there are also
i six bloodhounds, who are well trained and
of fine pedigree. Nearly all are owned by
Il the attaches of the camp. The cook and
his assistants are all TRUSTEES and seem
1 to be competent and well qualified
H A surprising feature is the fact that
II there are no ''deadheads" at the camp
= Avery man has his work to do and few are
left in camp when the men start to their
work. They are allowed a full hour 1or