The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1913-04-15

Lowest &c
not recommend acceptance OF this prison
on account of insanitary conditions. The
requirements were met and he mas not
since made a report.
Mr.. Greer dwelt a moment on Camp
No. r. and then disfted to Ba1iner mine
and Flat Top. Witness knew nothing
about recommendations OF DR.. w. H.
Oates, state prison Inspector, regarding
conditions at Flat Top. After discuss
ing briefly Lucille and Belle Ellen mines,
he drifted to the lumber and turpentine
camps of south Alabama.
Mr.. Greer was questioned specifically
about conditions at Flat Top. Said he
never knew anything about a report made
on this mine in March, 1912, by DR.. Oates.
The attorney general read the report OF
DR.. Oates describing insanitary condi-
lions at Flat Top. Mr.. Greer said he had
never found conditions so bad, but admit
ted that he had discussed conditions at
Flat Top with Jones G. Moore of the Sloss-
Sheffield company. The governor read a
letter he had written to J. c. Maben OF
the Sloss company, declaring the contract
at Flat Top would cease at once unless
sanitary conditions at that mine were
improved In accordance with recon-
mendations of DIR. Oates. Mr.. Greer said
this letter was never iiiSHttoiieu " him.
Bought Land for State
Mr. Greer said he bought for the state
a considerable quantity of land at Speig-
ners He also bought 500 acres of land
from Thrasher, adjoining convict camp
No. A. Montgomery county, He said
Thrasher is related to him. and for that
reason he asked not to be put on the job.
but he was told that would not interfere.
Witness said he had a negro female
III f,f,s f,,f Eo1
houn county. He used the woman as a
servant with the consent of Oakley,
and he paid $40 per month for her.
Mr. Greer next went into a descrip-
tion of how he discovered the lost
camp" of the Henderson Lumber COM
pany.
witness said he had the warden. Nun
cry, discharged at Shreeve's on ac-
count of excessive punishment to pris-
oners Nunery was a warden again
last August over Greer's protest. MT.
Greer said Oakley told him the gov
ernor wanted Nunery reinstated.
The governor here interrupted with
the remark that he had never heard Of
Nunery.
Recommendations Disregarded
Mr. Greer said he has made so many
recommendations to Oakley which We're
disregarded that he could not remem-
"a
the discharge of the superintendent at
Belle Ellen; also the removal of J..
Huckabee. He said the governor had
followed his advice in both of these
recommendations. He recently recon-
mended the discharge of G. A. VIII
liams, coal weighman at Red Feather.
Witness said the underwear from
Frank & Co was shipped out pretty
soon after" he was appointed. He said
he knew the department did not need It,.
Mr.. Greer said he knew nothing OF
the making of the Henderson Lumber
company contract. He denied that he
ever told Tom Long that the convict
department was rotten. lie said Tom
Long got mad with him because he
(Greer) would not buy lot of toma-
toes. He said the convict department
old not need any tomatoes. He testified
that Long worked tomatoes over in or
der to make them look fresh
With tears in his eyes. Greer said
that If he were to get telegram tell
ing him that his wife was dead, the
shock would not be greater than was
the news that there was shortage in
the convict department
DIR. Fowler on Stand
DIR. J. T. Fowler, physician inspector
OF the state convict board, took the stand
To-Day regarding the purchase of medical
books. He testified that the local physt-
clan at the Tubercular hospital for con-
victs bought the books through the Durr
Drug company of Montgomery. Rule
No ia authorized the purchase. Books
have just arrived and are now at the
hospital at Wetumpka.
DIR. Fowler stated he was appointed
April 10, 1911. He resided then at Do
than and lives now at Wetumpka. In
spects mining camps each month and
others frequently as possible.
During his term only Doctors Fields
and Siam and the doctor at Florence
have been changed. With reference to
the former two. DR.. Fowler said: II pre-
sumo you know the circumstances"
There was a ripple of laughter. IT
guess I do" said Attorney Evans. DR..
Fowler reviewed methods of classifying
convicts II class convict according to
what think he can do, according to his
task the witness said.
Classification at Banner
He did not think classification of con-
victs at Banner too high. He did not
approve of scales being set 20 per cent
under weight IL the scales regulate con-
victs' tasks. He has never been in Ban
ner or Flat Top mines. Nearly all recon-
mendations made to lessees of convicts
have been adopted. except the Sloss COM
pany at Flat Top. This company also
finally adopted his recommendations.
Witness was not sure, but thought a
book Is kept at each camp recording the
punishment of convicts in Ink in COM
pliance with regulations
The testimony of DR.. Fowler brought
up the strike of the convicts at Belle
Ellen Mr. Greer was recalled to tell
all about it. He described the situation
infinitely. Greer went TO Belle Ellen
The men were down in the mine and re-
fused TO work Greer corralled them In
the dining hall first alone and then in
the presence of the mine officials. He
found out the ring leaders and had about
30 of them whipped. Later he interviewed
each convict separately in his cell. The
complaint of the convicts, Mr.. Greer said
was about their food.
Too Much Cabbage
"They said they had cabbage for sup
+ per. cabbage for dinner, cabbage for
breakfast. declared Nj. Greer. HI