Evening journal., 1916-12-20
PRISONERS COST
CAUSES WRAGCLE
Levy Courtmen Want 10
Know Why Men Can't
be Kept on 80 Cents
MUCH WORK DONE
ON COUNTY ROADS

The Levy Court meeting yesterday
afternoon was enlivened by a discus
sion between T. Allen Hiiles. presi-
dent Of the board OF trustees OF the
New Castle County Worlxhouse and
4 the members OF the Levy Court over
prisoners work on the county roads.
Mr.. Groves and Mr.. Scott took the
leading part in the discussion.
After Mr.. Hllles presented the an
! nual report OF the workhouse trustees
I the Levy Court members took up the
matter and the discussion followed.
Part OF the report was as follows:
= "At present we are building a short
stretch Of county road which runs
through our farm from Mecannon's
Church to Mllltown We shall not
present any bill to your body for the
material or labor in building this
road but we wish to emphasize again
our opinion often previously express
ed. that prisoners ought TO be em-
ployed in repairing the county roads.
and that an equitable. permanent
! agreement between the Levy Court
and the trustees OF the wOrkhOuse
would be q very great benefit TO the
county and the community generally
AT present there are some particu-
lar lines in which the trustees expect
TO further develop the institution.
The first of these is to completely
eauip the new farm Of three hundred
and twenty-siX acres, Of which we OBJ
tained possession on March %, last.
This will involve the outlay of large
amount Of money. We arc now build
ing a large dairy barn. getting to-
gether a fine herd OF Holstein cattle,
etc. and presently expect to produce
everything possible which can be used
IN the prison.
"You will notice from the treasurer's
report that the farm and farm equip
ment so far as We have gone, are en-
tirely paid for.
The amount per diem allowed us
by law of $40 does not cover the
actual outlay necessary for the care
and sustenauce of the prisoners. but
the receipts from their labor have
enabled us to purchase and pay for the
farms and other large. permanent i'm
provements. thus providing healthful.
outdoor work for many prisoners who
would otherwise lie idle in their cells
day after day.
Mr.. Groves. addressing Mr.. Hilles,
asked him n he did not think that the
time had come when the trustees could
q support the prisoners on 30 cents a
} day.
Bonds have been paid of. the in
Idebtedness reduced and the prisoners
= are earning money" Mr.. Groves said
Mr. HAles replied that when the
trustees asked for an agreement to
hire the prisoners to the county foi
work on the roads the court refused
to agree 70 the arrangement
: Mr. Scott broke into the discussion
! b. saying that the trustees have beer
loudest in their criticism OF the court
We never imagined, said Mr.. Scott
that hundreds Of men would swarm
here from New Jersey and ill the
workhouse. But they did so and We
. did not have the money TO pay the
board bills. Then the howl was heard
"You are getting your money regu
4 larlv and yet when VIC want men "a
work on the roads we are unable "a
a get them. You had an excuse before
I. you bought the truck Nov you car
j convey the men with ease. Below the
canal Is ostracised and we cannot ge'
2 the men. We are entitled TO get the
e men II they are needed on the roads
=, Mr.. Groves said that prisoners were
p, employed on the roads IN nearby hun
dreds and yet the trustees are kick
ing. Il is only fair 10 the county tc
e have the board reduced when the
prisoners are work ng for farmers, or
+ the roads and for corporations. hS
said.
e Mr.. Hilles said he did not intend
o to get into discussion on the subject
J He reviewed the road work that is be
: ing done by the prisoners but d d no
q see the feasibility of taking the prs
oners thirty miles to work and bring
ing them back again