The Forrest City times., 1913-05-16
LITTLE ROCK NEWS
GOV. FUTRElL GETS BEHIND "PEN" COMMISSION BECAUSE
 OF ACTIONS.
COMMISSIONERS SEND REPLY
Employing of Expert One of conten-. tions-Records of Old Manage
 ment Were in Bad Shape.

Western Newspaper Union News Service.
 Little Rock.-Acting Gov. Futrell ad. uressed a letter to the members of the new penitentiary commission, asking that careful compliance be made with the provisions of the new law and suggesting that more consideration be gwen to details of vouchers drawn ill the future. The letter lays particular stress on the matter of vouchers and the letting of contracts for supplies
 In discussing the new prison board law, Gov. Futrell insists that compli- ance should also be made with that provision which requires that two of the three members of the commission De expert farmers" and also ex- presses the opinion that one of the members of the board should have di- rect charge of the state reform school. as matter Of economy to the state, instead of employing another person, as is now done for this work
 The letter has been the occasion of much comment since it's contents be- came publicly known.
 The members of the commission are J. A. Bradsher of Harrisburg, j. V. Ferguson of Lonoke and T. P. Murrey Of Little Rock, all appointed by former Gov Robinson.
 In speaking of the management of the farm and reformatory. Gov. Futrell says:
 'l am advised that your board has employed a superintendent of the Re form School at salary of $100 per month and a farm manager at $50 per month. In my opinion, at least a part of this is an unnecessary expense The legislature in providing that two of the commission be practical and ex- perlenced farmers, intended personal, direct and active management of the state farm by one or more of the com mission. At least one member of the commission should stay upon the farm, and among other duties perform the work now being done by this farm manager. The care, control and man. agement of the farm and hundreds of convicts there, as contemplated by the law, cannot be given from Little Rock.
 "If only one. of the commissioners should reside upon the farm, and the other two stay in Little Rock, why not one take care of the Reform School? It has not been the practice to appoint as head of the Reform School experts in reformatory work, and the law, so far has not directed this; so there would be no objections to one of the commission doing this work. It would not conflict with other duties and would be a saving"
 Commissioners Reply.
 In answer to the governors letter the commission told of the difficulties they found on taking charge of the penitentiary's affairs.
 The worst trouble encountered by be commissioners was that of account ing. Records were found to be in a bad condition and 1t has taken some time to straighten them out.
 In regard to employing superin- tendent for the reform school the board said he was employed as a teacher, as authorized by the recent legislature. Because of the unfamiliar ity of the commission with the plans of the farm they had retained the old expert for the remainder of the year.
 The commission assured the govern or that all matters would be on a busi, ness-like basis in short time as matters were rapidly being straighten- ed out