Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-05-24

into the contract system in vogue at the
institution. We examined the conditions
under which the men nrc working and IN
vestigated very carefully the facts IN
| relation to the contract with Oppenhelm
Il Co, and we are frank tn say that same
seems to be very one-sided affair, most
of the provisions of same beng on the
side of the contractor. II was very difficult
to get definite facts and figures relative
to the actual operation oil the contract
from the resident manager, Mr. Hoths-
child, but from what little information
we did obtain from him, we are convinced
that while the previous contract, which
expired in November, 1919, was very
liberal in its terms to the contractor, the
present contract is even more so.
The new contract was made by the
trustees without advertising for bids andn
where the rate TO the institution per man
per day was raised from 81 cents to 10
cents in the new contract, we are con-
vineed the production has been 80 in-
creased that the cost per pair trousers
| is even less than under the old contract
/ The rate of 20 cents per day per man
is entirely too low and the trustees, IN
awarding future contracts, n same are
| awarded, should endeavor to secure
more favorable terms than are contained IN
present contract.
The fact that the bonus allowed the
prisoners by the contractors for overtime
work has, within the past week, been IN
creased from 55 cents per dozen to VI. 10
| per dozen only goes TO prove that the
| contract is a very profitable one tor the
contractor. and even with the increased
| bonus, the facts arc that the goods pro-
| duced by overtime work are produced at
/ utt ttc,srIt.r I,xtv IN tha pnut raptnf
| We again strongly recommend that, II
| the contract is again made, the trustees
| should demand higher rate per man per
| day since IL must be remembered TINT
| light, heat, power, rent and guards
| salaries in workroom are included III this
| 20 cents per day per man. and the bonus,
! outside the mems task should net the
men for overtime at least what 1t nets the
| Institution after the deduction OF board,
cost and overhea d mentioned above.
| PRESENT CONDUCT ror1NsTITUTIoN.
| a. The present conduct Of the in
| stitution under Warden Plummer.
| We are pleased to report that at the
present time conditions in the Workhouse
/ are very much improved. Acting Warden
/ Crawford made considerable changes
! for the better during the time he had tenn
/ porary charge and Warden Plummer IS
i striving to find out what is most needful
/ for the benefit of all the parties concerned.
1 the prisoners, the officials and the general
/ public
i The conditions in the kitchen have been
/ bettered by strict rules IN relation 10
! cleanliness and proper cooking Of foods,
/ and much better food is now being served
/ the prisoners. The daily cost of food
under the previous regime was approx
mately sixteen cents per day per capita,
/ and VIC are satisfied that the quality of
/ the food was poor and the quantity in
I sufficient. At this time the sum of twenty
/ one cents per day per capita IS beng ex-
/ pended with the result that the Warden,
/ guards and prisoners agree with your
/ committee that the inmates are now re-
/ ceiving good, wholesome food and IN
i quantity that satisfies the prisoners and
/ enables them to properly do the work
required of them.
/ The Warden has put a squad of pris-
oners to work in thoroughly renovating
/ the buildings and exterminatng all yer
MIN. and during the time we have been
engaged in our investigation we have
t been able to notice a decided improve
ment IN the appearance OF the place
The men seem cheerful at their work and
+ the Warden and prisoners are cooperating
/ in an endeavor to reach satisfactory ar
rangements in relation to task and bonus
/ work A committee of prisoners has been
/ chosen by themselves and the men have
/ all agreed TO work with the Warden
| through this committee to adjust all COM
/ plants and make proper distribution OF
/ the bonus money, and express themselves
as being we'll pleased with the better
/ conditions that now exist.
1 HONOR SYSTEM INAUGURATED.
They have also agreed to maintain an
] honor system, and insist upon strict
/ adherence to the rules lard down and proper
punishment Of any prisoner offending.
The men work the required number OF
I hours daily and are then allowed to 90 to
I the prison yard and indulge in baseball
/ aud other exercise and the general ex-
/ preston is that they are much benefited
/ by the same after their close confinement
/ in the cells and shops.
/ The appreciation shown by the men
/ for the better treatment they are now