Great Falls daily tribune., 1920-06-19
THE HASKIN LETTER
BIZ FREDERIC J.
HA SKIN
JAILWARD HO!

islation, with a cabinet officer, known
as the secretary Of public conduct, at
it's head, is also plainly forecasted. The
terrific and spectacular success of the
department of justice in enforcing the
espionage law, the sweeping achieve
ments of the internal revenue depart
ment in making prohibition a reality,
show what great things can be accom-
plished by the federal organization in
making America safe for the righteous.
There are some who say, however, that
neither of these departments is really
strong enough to cope with the situa-
ton, and that for the enforcement OF
the great trio of moral laws against
drinking, smoking and making love, a
special and very powerful department
will be required, with agents in every
town and village.
Another interesting phase of this
movement toward unmitigated moral
ity is the probable effect that it will
have upon the penal institutions of the
country. A marvellous improvement in
them, which may even make them among
the most desirable places of residence
in the country is clearly foreseen.
Popular Prisons.
A movement for the improvement of
conditions in prisons has long been
afoot in this country, but it has lacked
the most influential support Heretofore
the occupants of federal prisons have
been chiefly murderers, second story
men, forgers, counterfeiters, and 9TH
er persons without any considerable
wealth, intellect, or social standing.
But the enforce ment of the espionage
and prohibition laws, comparatively
young as both of them still are, is rap
idly changing the complexion of our
penal population. Thus a single federal
prison now contains prominent mil
lionaire who was convicted of having
still in his cellar, one of the greatest
social radical leaders in America, ana
some of his followers, and several bus
mess men of high standing, who. like
the millionaire, were unfortunate in
their efforts to indulge taste for al
cohol. At this penitentiary, prison life
is not what it used to be. Fashionable
folk come daily in automobiles, books
and other luxuries are delivered, ana
there is much pleasant social intercourse
among the inmates and their visitors.
The incarcerated intellectuals and plu-
tocrats say that they have no great
complaint to make. They are treated
politely and kindly and are given light
clerical jobs. Several of them are gain
ing flesh and showing general improve
HltHL dS Itsuil VI lutIl icsNs
Yet they say that federal prison is
not all that it might be. There is
definite movement on foot for the es-
tablishment of prison golf links on
the part of the plutocratic element,
while the social thinkers are dissatisfied
with the prison library. As these gen.
tlemen have political influence and mon-
ey the improvements which they desire
are by no means impossible.
Imagine, thtn, what 1.-The situation
will be when an enormous federal drag
net gathers it's daily toll of smokers and
flirters from all sections of the coun-
try and ali social calsses. Then will
the gray walls of our penitentiaries ~
indeed enlvened with brilliant talk.
and then will the movement for their i'm
provement gain tremendous impetus
1t is not at all improbable that they
may become of the most desirable coun-
try clubs in America.
Heaven for climate" said the grear
Mark Twain, "but He'll for society"
And it seems as though that natural
stopping place on the road to the in =.
ferno. the calaboose, might become all
that Mark claimed for Hades itself.
The social bounder who now tries 70
break into society may we'll be found
in the future trying to break into Jail.