The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-05-16
NO FOOD FAMINE At PEN.
GARDEN TRENCHES CAPTURED
BY HOE BRIGADE.
Many Changes to be Made-A. X.
Saunders, Superintendent, Will In
stall Electric Lights SO Prisoners
May Read.

Columbia, May IA. K Saunders.
superintendent of the State peniten-
tiary, is not unduly exercised over
prospective scarcity of food supplies
that may be produced at home. "If
every one has planned as we have to
meet the emergency and il their
prospects are as promising, no one
will go hungry" he said Yesterday. as
ne swung his arm in semicircle to-
ward the broad stretches of cabbage,
turnlps, beans, peas, tomatoes and
countess other varieties of vegetables
growing luxuriantly about the prison
buildings. With n brief lapse of
oaimy spring weather to melt out the
cold weather kinks. cabbages with
considerably swollen heads will be
available. Peas have been grown in
immeasurable abundance and the
wide area of mustard salad as an en-.
tangled mesh of broad, feathery
bladed. Though the rows are two
and one-half feet in width. the plants
OF luxuriant growth cntwine across
the burrows Irish potatoes can he
cooked unstintedly within the imme-
dlate future. The plants are from
~ to Is inches i'm height and are now
blooming. which is an excellent indi-
cation OF fruitage. In addition. one
OF the most advanced patches of early
corn to be seen anywhere about CO.
iumbia is growing directly in front
of the penitentiary
Considerable renovating has recent.
ly been effected within the prison.
The building and cells have been
whitewashed AID much new screen
ing has been provided. Another pro-
gressive step which Mr. Saunders ia
contemplating within the next few
weeks is the installation of electric
wiring, that an electric bulb may be
introduced into each CELL Prisoners
are locked in each evening at 6
O'Clock. Many Of them are accustom-
ed to reading and the provision of an
electric light will add untold comfort
to those with intelligence enough to
survey the contents Of newspaper
or a magazine. Even il the prisoner
can not read, it is only humane to
have light in the cell, Mr.. Saunders
argues.
Complete reorganization of-thc
kitchen is to be made within the very
near future. Contemplated plans are
| to cook the provisions with steam
from the nearby boiler room. The
saving in the fuel bill alone within
six months would reimburse for the
steam main betw cen the two build
ings. the superintendent says, besides
| new cooking apparatus, which would
| admit the cooking of a variety diet
| could be paid for in the same manner.
PRISONERS are now being fed in a
manner altogether different from
methods which obtained under the
old system. Instead Of dishing the
meals out in tin pans, into which all
food was thrown promiscuously, the
prisoners are now seated about tables
and have their individual plates, cups.
spoons, knives and forks. The food
is also served from receptacles, placed
on each table. Although food ia not
supplied in abundance or without dis
erection, a sufficient quantity is placed
before the men, who may partake or
reject. as inclined. A remarkable
saving has thus been effected, Mr..
saunders says. as rejected food pre-
viously had to be thrown into the
swill. A splendid spirit of cooperation
is evident on every hand between au-
thorities and inmates.