The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-17

I Sutton, who was said to have complained that he had paid for a license and had not received it, be cited. Representative Welsh, who had conducted the examina- tion, reminded the witness that he need not worry, that all people knowing any thing would be examined. It is thought that tine predecessors of Mir. Brown in collectig licenses will be summoned for testimony.
 Conditions at Banner J. P Hall. warden at Banner mines for two years, was called. He said he re- ceved as wages from the state $125 per month. There are about APO conyicts at Banner mines, he said
 The tasks are 10, s. and tons per day per man, according to classification" he said. 'The men are docked 800 pounds Tn three tons for rock. The cells are well ventilated and on Sunday the men are permitted to play ball all day. The food IS good, the men sometimes having seven biscuits for breakfast. The whippings are light, though more than year ago 1 gave a convict 21 lasnes on the naked This brought no blood, but peeled the bark a little bit. All coal is mined by machinery and the men are re- quired solely to load cars
 The net earning is about $30 per capita, the state operating the mine in its en- tirety."
 The witness expressed the opinion that it was unwise for a physician to con victs to be paid jointly by the state and the company. He said also that in his opinion eight tons was a sufficient task for a first-class man, and added
 The state should look out for some- thing more than the money"
 RumOr About Greer
 T. S. Page of the state convict depart ment, purchasing agent, with Birmingham headquarters, testified that competitive bids are sent to Montgomery and that he buys from instructions He was asked if Len Greer, convict inspector, had pur- chased any gunpowder.
 He answered No"
 He was asked if Mir. Greer had not so- licited payment from a representative of the Jefferson Powder company of prem iums on two life insurance policies, with the understanding that the state would buy powder from that company.
 He said that he had heard that report. and gave the name of MT. Newby of that company as having given the informa- ton.
 MT. Newby will be summoned.
 A. J. Bright, dog warden at Lucille for two years, and who receives s36 per month from the state, was called. There are 10 dogs at Lucille, he said. He was asked about the escape of Jeff Connors, the one legged convict. He told of tracking the
 
 trail. He declared that he had heard nothing of a conspiracy leading up to his escape.
 He said his dogs were very good dogs, and that when he caught man he car ried him back to the prison.
 An Epigrammatic Convict
 Ray Odom, a convict at Lucille, was permitted to testify. He was formerly q free miner and gave the committee what might be considered expert testimony as to why convict miner dies sooner than free miner. He attributed the cause chiefly to the fact that the free miner gets more fresh air and sunshine than the convict.
 Tine witness appeared strong and healthy, and seemed to enjoy the atten- ton that he was attracting The warden at Lucille, directly opposite the witness, followed the testimony assiduously. The witness complimented the warden almost to the extent of flattery. He testified that he works on the outside, but would work on the inside of mines but for his lumbago
 IT. speaking of the honor system, he said that negroes would be more amenable to that system than the whites One of eight white men and one of five negroes could be trusted, he said. He said also that life prisoner was safer to be trusted then a prisoner with term of one year.
 He Causes Laughter
 "A prison is not a place for reforma- tion," was another of his epgrams.
 We have more intelligent prisoners than guards" was another statement which caused laughter.
 He testified that he was conducting D loan business among the other convicts, and his rate of interest depended on the personality of the borrower. He testi- fled that he had lost about $20 per month, and that if he continued to lose that much he would not be broke when his term is completed, eight years hence. Evidently. Mir. Odom has some money back home"
 The Sutton Check
 E. $. Brown was called to the stand for the third time. He was asked regard ing the Sutton check. He displayed the check. It was made payable to J. E. Kennedy. one of the witness predeces- sors. The witness testified that the check was presented to him and the demand for a tag made. He stated that some thing like $2200 in the same shape had existed, but that the matter had been adjusted by bond company. Dr. A. s. Sivalm. physician at Aldrich r,ipac testified that in his onipion