The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1915-03-11

steward says he was directed by the
secretary 81 the institution to cook Il,
but The secretary on the witness stand
denies this and says that he told the
steward To burn A. The toward adj
mita that he ala burn the head, but
says In substance. that he did "a on
hts wi accord. AZ 90 other tesu-
mony by discharged guards FelatinE
TO tainted ment, that they and the
! convlcts ate, we attach NO import
nee 90 such testimony. The owl
dence shows that not one Of these
guards quit their employment IN ac-
count cf the GOOD furnished. nor does
u appear that IN OF Them made any
complaint 20 the superintendent. or
Go the pcnitcntiary board. Beningno
Romero, one of the employees Of the
Institution and who was introduced
a. a witness by the committee, and
who appears to be a very Intelligent
man. as well as truthful says in sub
stance that the food has always been
good as far as he has observed.
Az to the charge Of cruel treatment
Of prisoners. the evidence shows that
one convict was given corporal pun
ishmcnt since the present superin-
tendent took charge Of the inssitu-
ton. This convict. besides his con-
tinued lnsolcnce. which he showed 90
the officers OF the institution. had re-
pcatediy broken the rules Of the in
stitution: that he sent a letters 10
different persons criticizing the man
agoment OF the institution; that he
was frequently admonished not 10
brenk the rules. but continued this
conduct until u became necessary to
take some drastic steps for the pro-"
lection and the proper discipline Of
the Institution. Evidence shows that
out Of more than ss0 convicts on the
average. since the present manage
ment, this IL the only convict that
has been disciplined and punished in
this way. Evidence also shows that
one prisoner who had the 81. Nitus
dance died in the institution.
As to the complaint that convicts
were allowed 10 cscape the evidence
shows hat on one occasion under the
present management. while the gates
to the penitentiary yard on the south
sides were opened for the passage Of
wagons. and while a train was stand
Ing In the yard, having been run into
the yard from the northwest corner.
the guard from Tower No. 4 was
called for duty al the point where
the gates were opened. Several con-
viCts, taking advantage OF the alb
sence Of the guard at Tower No. {,
and the presence OF tho train referred
to, seized a ladder that was In use In
the construction OF the hospital build
ing. and following behind other con
victs, rushed for the east wall be-
tween Towers no. 3 and I. and sue
ceeded In getting over the wall. Five
Of them were Immediately captured.
through the vigilance OF the super
intendent. M subsequently surren-
dered. and the other one succeeded ! N
making his escape 10 Mexico. II APP
pears from the testimony that IL had
not been the custom for a long time
TO keep . guard al Tower No. 3.
Guards "a; Towers Nos. 2 and 4 were
considered sufficient Tho evidence
also shows that the guard at 80. 2
failed In d%ischarging his duty In not
exercising more vigilance and dili-
gcncc to prevent this escape. The
testimony shows that this guard was
Immediately discharged for neglect Of
duty.
Evidence was also submitted 10 nc
committee by the pcnitcntiary man
agemcnt showing comparative nnan-
cial M fiscal conditions Of the in
stitution under different manage
ments. Under this showing IL seems
that covering "a period OF five years
before the present superintendent
took charge there had been deficits
amounting 4 s3e.G 900 which had 90
be covered by deficiency a%ppropria-
tions that when the present super
i%ntendent too barge he found un-
paid bills amounting to &lg.79O.2j.
with hut Sia.O3s so left in the gem
eral maintenance appropriation fund.
After these bills were paid there was
left only the proceeds of convict
earnings 10 run Sc months
Tor the year 1919. This left an APP
parent deficit OF $4,000 which had
% be taken care II by the legislature
Of hat year. The evidence shows that
during the past two years the present
superintendent has been able Co run
the institution within the convict
earnings and appropriations, leaving
no deficits. In fact. Tor the fiscal
year 1913 there was a surplus OF ST.
226.09 and for the fiscal year of 1912
there was "A surplus Of S5l5St. and
this surplus II shown n-otWithstand-
ing the fact that permanent improve
ments have been made for the years
1912, 1913 anu 1914. a%gRrcRating So
3G3.74 The improvements made con-
sist OF the following: \ new dining
room. kitchen and bakery; addition
10 hospital building used Tor modern
shower baths, drug room, operating
ana sterilizing rooms stable rebuilt.
having been destroyed By fire under
previous administration; main
building painted throughout. the drsi
floor roflourcd, and also a part Of
the second floor refloored "a fire
proof vault built In the clerks office,
metal ceilings put In on first floor.
dining room ana kitchen built FOR
employees; guard Gus equipped with
steam heat and painted throughout;
shower bath installed for employees;
interior 81 both cell houses painted
extensive repairs made 10 brick plant;