El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-02-25
WORK C0NVICTS
ON STATE LAND
Hobby Says Let Them
Farm For State; Wants
A Packing Plant.

Austin, Tex. Feb 25.-In a mes
sage to the legislature today upon the
prison system. Gov. W. p Hobby
l recommended that the state gradually
get away from the plan OF working
convicts on leased lands and develop
lands owned by the state. He said
that the prison system last year op-
Grated Il one year lease contracts,
which are cancelled. and six contracts
Z Of longer terms still exist.
The governor also recommends that
the prison system cOnfine its inter
ests largely. IL not entirely. to farm
Ing, as this has proved the most
profitable.
state To Have Packing Plant.
The message says that the prison
commission VIII consider the cree
ton Of a packing plant to preserve
meats needed by the system, as more
than s250.000 was spent last year Ior
The governor adds: when the
policy recommended is adopted ana
the system has paid for all its lands
and becomes clear Of debt, / believe
legislation should be enacted when
Will cause the convicts 10 share equal
~ Win inc STATE A-A N--I "a S---3 "a ----
system"
Prisoners Conduct Better.
The report says that conduct ana
department Of prisoners during the
past year has shown improvement and
is better than the average.
The state owns 1850 acres, 4-r5OS
acres Of which was cultivated Ap-
proximate values OF crops last year
were: state land, Sl,lS1,OeU1 leased
land, S7S9.6S5; rent on leased land,
S193, 90. leaving a net crop value OF
s597, 42s.
Finds Conditions Bad.
The house committee, Whlcn mas
been visiting the various units OF the
state peniteutary system, reports
having found conditions upon some
Of the farms that need correction the
report says. in speaking OF the I'M
perial Darlington, Retrieve ana Blue
ridge farms-
I'VE find the bedding at most Of
these farms is old. dirty and unsanl-
tary- Your committee IS Of the opin-
ion that the sheeting furnished the
prisoners is not kept clean and sanl-
tary and that the same should te
changed not less than once week
We further find that at some or the
camps 1t is not changed ottener than
once a month and at such places the
same is dirty. foul and filthy and to-
tally unfit for healthy conditions
Your committee further finds that
at all the camps there is wholly in
sufficient sanitation 10 III require
ments and that bath accommodation
for the prisoners are also insufti-
Gent for their health and care" There
vas no criticism concerning food, but
the committee recommended that SUI
ficient clothing be kept on the farms
to furnish prisoners with a change for
sleeping purposes. and especially
should this be true where the men are
compelled 10 work out Of doors in
the rain
The committee thinks that sheds
should be constructed 10 protect the
farm implements from the weather
Conditions al the peuitentiary proper
in Huntsville and at the GOree farm
were declared to be satisfactory.
1I9G APut on Chains
At the Whine farm where on jan
uary !. 1918, 40 inmates were affect
ed with tuberculosis. sanitary condi-
lions were found 10 be bad. said the
report. and the committee is Of the
opinion that a more healthfuI location
could be found. In regard to punish
meut. the report stated. during the
year 1913. 1876 prisoners were placed
on the chaines- This punishment con-
sists OF suspending the man by his
wrists"
grounds. must tear down that which
is unsuitable. rae completely all that
IS in the way.
DR.. Vinson described the physical
conditions on tie camruE. saving that