The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-12-18
COTTON MILL AT SPEIGNER PRISON
 IS NOW FOR SALE
State to Concentrate Prison Industries at Camp KiIby, Now in the Course of
 Construction
By FRED H. GoRMLEY Montgomery Bureau Tho Age Herald. 22l-2 First National Bank Building

22l-2 First National Bank Building Montgomery, December 17.-CSpe- cial. .)--Another step toward the con- centration Of the states prison sys- tenn near Montgomery was taken this week when the state advertised for sale the prison cotton mill at Speis- ner, which has been an important unit of the penitentiary for many years. When Kilby prison is cofn- pleted on the site of Camp Sheridan, about four miles from Montgomery, there will be erected q cotton mtll which will be among the most mod ern in the United States.
 The state proposes to dispose Of the Speigner mill in order that the various industries which will be op erated by convict labor may be con centrated behind the concrete walls which will enclose Kilby prison. It Is known that various persons are figuring with tho state on the pur- chase of the Speigner mill, the inten- ton being to operate it with free la Dor or with county convict labor. if the mill should be sold at once the revenue obtained would be used in the construction of the modern mlll at K4lby.
 Prison to Re Model One
 An inspection of the prison during the week developed the fact that great progress is being made in tho construction work. The first floors of the mammoth prison are almost completed, and one may now get an Idea of what the prison will be when it is completed However. 1t is al most impossible to tell another who had not seen the plans or the con- | struotion work just what the state is doing. Every feature of tho buildings will be modern, the structures being modelled after the prisons of the lead ing states.
 In order that every penny possible may be saved to the state. the board 1 of control has constructed a modern machine for the mining of sand and l gravel which Is being obtained from tho states property. while small l but modern sawmill has been erected near the prison which is cutting about 1.000.000 feet Of lumber from l the states own property for use in 1 the buildings. Another small but modern sawmill has been construct l ed at Speigner. where the state also owns a good tract of timber land.
 Start Dairy Barn
 Work was started during the past few days on modern dairy barn near Kiihy prison In order that dai : rying may become an important in l dustry for convict labor. The barn will be of concrete and brick and will house 100 cows. In the rear two concrete silos will be constructed. Water will be obtained from an ever running stream which passes through the prison property.
 Not far from the dairy barn the state will construct barn for hogs. 1 xyfx lf ss, piggery" by William r. Feagin, state werden general. The convict depart ment proposes to purchase bloodea 1 | hogs and cows for the piggery and dairy. Several thousand acres of pas- ture land were obtained by the state in the purchase of the property foI the prison.
 Complete by 1928
 Governor Klby and all persons 1 connected with the state desire to complete the construction of Kilby prison before the expiration of Gov ernor Kilbys term. the middle of January. 1923. This Is necessary be- cause the convict lease system un- der which a great majority of ths 1 active convicts are employed in coal mines will be abolished by law Jan uary 1, 1924. and with the new pris- on completed year before the next administration may begin at the start on It's plans for the handling of convicts under the new system. A year Is necessary in working out ar engagements for the employment of the convicts now used in the mines after the proposed prison system is completed.
 1 Most of the labor being used in the construction of the prison is fur nished by convicts and, with the min- ing of sand and gravel from tho states pit and the cutting of timber by the states sawmills from the states property, the cost of the con- struction will be held to an irre- ducible minimum.