The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1914-12-11
JAMES PALMER TALKS
MUCH ABOUT GOOD ROADS
Legislature Should Provide for
Convict Labor on Roads.

ana means 10 Dullu EOOu fOauS. lhe
necessity for them is known to every
one, and is disputed by none. They put
the farmer in closer touch with the
world. They will bring the auto truck
to his door, taking to market such things
that he has to sell and returning, bring
ing him those things necessary for the
welfare Of the family. They will bring
graded schools, and their influence will
be felt in the churches by increased at
tendance, and by having better paid
preachers, the moral conditions of the
community will be much improved. The
question Of government aid is one for
future statesmen to solve. Aid from
this source is far in the distance and we
should now direct our activities looking
for, and devising ways and means to
build them ourselves.
The system that seems to be giving
universal satisfaction is, building public
highways by convict labor. The States
OF California, Georgia. Illinois, Kansas,
Missouri, Montana, New York, Oregon,
New Mexico, Virginia. Wyoming, Colo
RADIO, who have been experimenting with
this system for number OF years, are
very enthusiastic about it, and are now
planning for great things along this line.
the coming year.
Now, as Warden lyman remarks,
the Colorado convict is no saint, and
about 25 per cent Of them are dangerous
and should be confined. OF the rs per
cent, some really should not be where
they are and all can be trained to better
citizenship for the return to freedom by
treating them as men. In accordance
with this theory, which has been con-
firmed in practice, the men who are al
lowed to 60 out to work are treated,
housed and directed in their work like
any we'll arranged railroad camp outfit.
They constructed their own temporary
living quarters, but there are no boltson
the doors nor bars on the windows.
True, they all retire to bed and arise at
the same time, but so do soldiers. The
men are worked ID rural districts; they
do not 60 TO town, and unless man
breaks a rule he need never return to
the prison. He can serve bis full term
in the open air, and when his time ex-
pires he be has become proficient in
something, surveying, bIacksmithing,
farming or other occupations for which
there is a demand. Not only that, but
by earnest, faithful work Of eight hours
daily and observance Of the rules he can
reduce five year term one half /"
The State Of Virginia says to any
county that wants to build good road
(this applies to the building Of perma-
nent roads only, If you will furnish
the tools and material, the State will
furnish the brains and labor. The
brains are furnished through the engi-
neer Of the State Highway Commission
and the labor furnished is that Of con-
victs. Should acounty decide to engage
ID the building OF good roads an appli
cation ismade to the Highway Commits
sioner, who visits the place and makes
! complete survey, just as fora railroad.
A blue print is struck off and the county |
with detailed estimate Of the
sost OF the road, SO that it will know be-
lorehand the exact expense. II they
agree on the kind and character OF road
% be built, a requisition is made upon
he superintendent OF the penitentiary
'or so many men of the State Convict
Road Force. The superintendent then
Traits the required number OF men and
Iends to the point of work without cost
D the county"
The men are not clothed In the usual
Prison stripes, but have uniform Of
Khaki or blue. The men as soon as
,ut on the road gain rapidly in flesh and
heir appearance is much improved.
It would Be humane and just to pay
he convicts while at work 50 much per
lour for their labor to enable them to
AXE care Of those depending upon
hem.
The laws Of these States have been
areiully read and examined, and che
list OF them is, that the best system Is
. have Highway Commission with
'ower to hire d competent engineer to
ssist and direct county engineersin lay
ng out a comprehensive system of roads,
with adjoining counties.
dany counties need changes in their I