Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-01-22

900 had been taken from the contin
.;ency fund to purchase new ones 4
building must be built to protect
them.
It was necessary to build this
building at cost Of $4,000 to pro-
tect the present investment of $40
900.
Mr.. Wheeler advocated the pur-
chase Of two farms to afford a place
to give employment to many of the
prisoners. The cost would be S15.-
coo. He said it would be very
profitable investment besides giving
the men an opportunity for outdoors
work
ing containing a dining room. store
house. chaplain's room. schoolhouse.
bathrooms. dispensary hospital and
blacksmith shop, none of which are
provided for ut present, was set forth
in n powerful plea. The total cost for
the building was $4,000 and an ad-
ditional $4,000 for equipment.
Frank j. Ham. warden of the State
prison, gave some interesting figures
;bout conditions at the prison, the
cost Of feeding the men in the cells
and the present absurd sanitary con-
ditions, the need of appropriations
for the treatment of the eyes and
teeth of the prisoners. The cost Of
keeping prisoner in 1914 was II 40
cents day and at present 30 cents
a day. The cost Of medical treatment
last year was $3.50 and the appro-
priation $3.50. 1t had not been less
than $500 for many years. The broom
making in the past two years had
helped out on the costs Of mainte-
nance. He mentioned the sums need
ed for the next two years; personal
services, $4,000; food supplies $16,-
600: clothing. $4,000: repairs and
equipment. $4,000: general expenses.
s11.4OO, and retired prison officials
$4,000. All prison officials are retired
after 20 years. continuous service on
half pay and after 80 years service
they are also retired.
Hon. Matthew T. Morrill, Of Gray told
the committee that he felt it was time
the State took a decided step in this
matter of better prison accommoda-
lions. 1t would cost as much, declared
he, to rebuild at Thomaston as it would
to reconstruct by erecting new build
ings elsewhere. The prison, he insist
ed, was not properly located. 1t was
not in the right place 1t was not a
fit place in which to confine men, In
stead of reconstructing at great ex-
pense his suggestion was that the State
let it go as it is a few years and then
hnilI olS IN,
central part of the State.
They've lived in those rat holes for
number of years and can do so for
a while longer" said he, adding: This
may sound radical to you. but 1 be-
lieve that it is right. Give the people
of Maine chance to vote on this and
they will never permit you to rebuild
the old prison or erect new one at
Thomaston.'
Edward W. Wheeler of Brunswick.
chairman of the prison commission,
told the committee that it was need
less for him to say that it was cheap
er. frequently, to build new than to re-
construct an old building. The COM
mission. however. had felt that the
States policy with regard to the pris-
on was settled Their understanding
was that two years ago it was deter
mined to rebuild the prison. one struc-
ture at a time. 1t was for the Legis-
lature to determine whether this policy
should be changed.
Senator Walker-Do YOU consider it
would be good business move to re-
build the prison elsewhere
Mr. Wheeler-That is quite a question.
Down there they feel that Knox coun-
ty should have at least one of the State
institutions md this is the only one
in the county. As practical business
proposition it would be better to build
a new prison from the ground up. but
that would cost lot of money.
Senator Grant-Have you any idea
how much it would cost?
Mr.. Wheeler-Oh, no; not the least,
at this time.
Warden Ham, would say that when
this matter was under discussion
few years ago we had estimates show
ing that it would cost s2OO.oOo.
Governor Milliken-That was cxclu-
sive of the land.
Warden Ham-Yes
Commissioner Leslie Boynton when
asked for an expression of his opinion
as to what should be done with the
prison declared that it was not fit to
keep human beings in. 1t was the
worst pen in the country: that there
was no prison in the nation which was
worse than the Maine prison at Thorn
aston.
Some day." said Mr.. Boynton, "some
enterprising reporter will go down to
Thomaston and the story which he will
write will make your hair stand on
end, and then God help the man who
is warden Of the prison. the commits
sioners. the Governor and the Legisla-
ture"
Commissioner Hargraves Of Buxton
told the committee that he fully con-
Cured with all his colleagues had said
in regard to the prison.
Woman's Reformatory at skowhesan
Rep. Smith of skowhegan was first
to address the committee in behalf of
the Woman's Reformatory at Skowhe-
gan. He called attention to the fact
that this was a new institution which
was growing SO that it was difficult
to gauge the needs. His first recon-
mendation. he said, was that the COM
mittee cut the estimates which had
been made for food from $1,000 in 1919
to $500. and In 1920 from $10712 to $SOOO
He explained this suggestion by saying
that when the estimates were made they