Daily Kennebec journal., 1917-01-25
Maine State Prison

John =, Kelley of Portland, chief
clerk at the Maine State prison, was
asked to explain the increases IN some
OF the estimates. He stated that the
$500 increase asked by the warden was
put on more to see if he could get it,
hut le would rather see some of the
smaller appropriations increased than
his own. The clerk hire had been $1,000.
then increased TO $1,000 and two war;
dens had recommended that it be made
sl500
! the increase to $4,000 for the subor-
dinate officers was made necessary by
the 1915 Legislature increasing these
officers pay and not appropriating any
money to pay the bills The increase
now asked will average about SIS a
man per month. All these increases for
this year are asked on account of the
great increase in the cost of living. All
of them live and meal outside the in
Stitution.
II was suggested that the Catholic
priest. who holds service once a month
and visits the prison two or three
times week, to see and aid the in
mates, should receive some recon-
penSe, as he has voluntarily paid his
own expense, and 800 was mentioned
| The school estimate of $50 increase,
to 500. was necessary on account of
the high cost of books and other out
fit.
! Mr.. Kelley was requested to ascer-
tain if it is true that the freight rate
between Rockland and Thomaston was
greater than the rate between Port
land and Tboma Sfop op1 GIo ro,,axt
with the committee
Mr.. Kelley stated that the previous
$50 for medicines was absolutely in
sufficient. even before the tremendous
advance in most drugs and medicines,
and $500 would not be more than
enough. Sickness had been very rare
In the prison for the past two years
and no assistant had been necessary
except in a few cases Dr. Dudley, an
inmate, cared for most Of the cases
as they arose.
The water contract, up to two years
ago had been s2500 per year, but the
company had refused reduction SO
the prison officials put in a meter at
$1,000 expense, and last year cut the
water bill to about $500.
About 1900 copies OF the annual re-
port has in the past been issued. but
the order for the 1916 report was re-
ouced to 500 copies. Mr.. Kelley thought,
in reply to a question, that 600 might
answer the purpose.
The $500 asked for criminal insane
might leave a balance or be too lit
tie. as no one could foretell the needs.
With band of 22 pieces, giving sa-
cred and general concerts at the insti-
tutor very frequently, the 5000 asked
will soon be used. Mr.. Kelley thought
the amount really should be increas-
ed.
He thought that the $500 asked
would take care of the retiring and
pensioned officers, a matter provided
for by Statute.
Coming to the maintenance fund.
MIR. Kelley stated that last wear the
institution made profit of about SO, =
600, but that it cost to feed the men
alone about $1,000 and other expenses
were In proportion. The prison has its
own lighting plant but the coal bill
was very heavy.
The prison has no funds on hand
with which to square up the bills or
to secure the discounts on materials
purchased, which he thought might
amount in year to from $4,000 to
$500. A total sales business was done
last year of about $4,000. The price
of all the raw material had greatly
advanced. The freight and cost of
broom stock had about doubled, but
the sales price stood about still They
were considering closing that depart
ment. The carriage and sleigh demand
had so decreased that it did not nav
TO buy stock now. wait till perhaps
next May before it was worked up in
to goods for delivery and perhaps store
a large part of the goods.
Harness sales last year were about
s52,S04: carriages S19,722: brooms
s63.0SS: furniture $l071; wood 1924.
with profit of about $4,000. The
amount OF stock on hand on Nov. 80
last was about $4,000; bills receivable
about s1S.00c and notes s4.s.