The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-07-23
Banner and Flat Top Com
mended as Result of the
Governors Visit
HORSEBACK RIDE BY
MEMBERS OF PARTY
President Douglass Says They Were
Agreeably Surprised by Highly
Satisfactory Conditions Sur
rounding States Convicts

That Banner is practically perfect, and
that Flat Top is satisfactory in nearly
all RESPECTS, is the verdict Of state Of
hcials who completed yesterday inspec-
tions of those mines wherein are worked
and confined convicts under the care of
the commonwealth.
In one or more minor regards certain
criticism was lodged against Flat Top,
although nothing of serious nature was
alleged. The officials were in consults-
ton last night with Campbell Maben,
vice president, and Jones G, Moore, su-
perintendent of mines, of the Sloss-Shef-
field Steel and Iron company, at the con-
clusion of which 1t was announced that
every detail which was deemed worthy
of discussion was disposed of to the sat
isfaction both Of the state and the COM
pany.
A feature of yesterdays inspection of
Banner and Flat Top was the over
country horseback ride made by the Of
ficials from the latter to the former mine.
AS neither of the party had been previ-
ously astride for several years, all an
nounced themselves tired when the day
was completed Belle Ellen and Lucille
will be inspected today, and tomorrow
morning the party composed Of Governor
ONeal, Hartwell Douglass, president of
the convict bureau; Robert C. Brickell
attorney general, and DR.. w. Fl. Oates,
Jail and mill inspector, will return to
the capitol.
Mr.. Douglas Makes Statement
Mr. Douglass issued the interview in
regard to the inspection. He desired that
it be made plain that the inspection was
not made as result of any report which
Col ]. deb. Hooper or any other indi-
vidual might have prepared at the in
stance of the governor.
1--WE were all desirous of seeing the
mines and of getting an insight into the
manner in which they are operated"
stated Mr. Douglass. IT was especially
anxious to become familiar with the
mines In which convicts are worked and
Governor O'Neal, himself, had never be-
fore visited either of the properties. The
inspection had been planned for six weelts
or more. and is being made now on the
initiative of the state,
To-day we inspected Flat Top and Ban
ner, and are satisfied with both. With
both we were agreeably surprised. The
convicts are well cared for, given plenty
to eat and an abundance of water, and
they are satisfied. Banner was as near
perfect as a mine could be, in our opin-
ion, and Flat Top is highly satisfactory
Tomorrow we go to Belle Ellen and Lu-
cile."
Water Is Being Analysed
The water furnished convicts at Flat
Top Is being analysed
1T is simply a NATTER stated Mr.
Douglass in this regard, 'as to whether
or not steamed or distilled water, which
is now used, is better for convicts than
filtered water which might be obtained
from the river. We are preparing further
to analyze the drinking water, and have
been assured that the company will make
any changes which we, after the investi-
CATION, deem necessary and recommend" :"
Mr.. Douglass does not take any part
in the criticism which has been made of
the mode of ventilation at Flat Top. AS
is known, a continuous current is used
in that mine whereas some experts con-
tend that in a mine which produces gas,
as Flat Top does. split current for the
safety of miners should be employed
"The ventilation at Flat Top" stated
Mr.. Douglass, .is good. highly satisfac-
tory, in fact. AS stated. we were pleased
with conditions and very agreeably sur
prised.'