The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1922-10-06
The Bulletin Investi-
gates Penitentiary

published an alleged report OF an al
legged humane committee that had paid
visit to Montana's penitentiary, and
| special stress was laid upon condi-
tions that prevailed in the Wonar's
| ward, according to statement by the
Helena Independent, that existed sole
/ ly in the mind of the editor of that
paper SO far as any evidence to cor
roborate his assertions are concerned.
The Bulletin did not believe the
story, as it was so highly colored that
no sane person could understand how
a man intelligent enough to become
| governor of great state could toll
crate such conditions when ne knew
| that the daily press Of six cities, con-
trolled by one copper company, would
with one voice condemn unsparingly
the slightest misstep Or error of judg-
ment. The result was an investiga-
ton.
This newspaper found matron in
charge of the woman's ward second to
none, in any penitentiary, anywhere.
That woman is Mrs. Anna M. Savage,
we'll known in Butte among the labor
ing class for her humanitarian work,
and just as well known and respected
by advanced theolgians and students
of the occult. Her life's ambition was
to relieve distress and guide the way
ward feet of erring girls back to the
straight and narrow path. If any
person doubts the above assertions,
The Bulletin will certainly insist that
a committee from the Kiwanis, Ro-
tary, Chamber of Commerce, Saliva
ton Army, or any welfare associa-
ton of any denomination or cult be
sent to the great prison, unannounced,
and demand admittance, that the wona-
ans department may be investigated,
for the reason that pleasure cannot
be simulated at will, and when The
Bulletins representative demanded
admittance the matron met the in
quisitor with dough-covered hands
and an apology
81 hope you'll excuse my appear
ance," she said, .''but the fact is I'm
teaching my girls how to make lemon
pies. Listen to them" And laugh
ing voices were heard, and soon the
music of a photograph kept company
| with rather sweet song. "Sit dowr
in this ROOM" said the matron. II
| return as soon as possible There is
| some literature on that table thai
you may find interesting TIKI
matron was gone.
The Bulletin Investigator sat in al
absolutely spotless room, with toile
and bath adjoining and heard merr!
scraps of discussion that foated thru
the barred window between the mat
ron's department and the ward. TIL
Hwomer were affectionately address
ing her as Mother" and the feeling
: was not simulated, in the opinion o
the writer. That is why the boil
statement is made that an investiga
ton will corroborate the assertion
here made. Later an inspection o
the. entire building was allowed an
the same cleanliness was in evidenc
everywhere. The only thing that ap
parently needed a bath was dirty
looking rabbit, playing near the rab
bit domicile in the corner of the yare
But The Bulletin wanted all tn
news of the pen, and recently pub
lished statements of the copper pres
regarding alleged cruel treatment 0
prisoners by Warden Potter wer
still fresh in 41ind Lurid headline:
telling of terrible brutality, dance
around like little inps, and the inves
tigator, remembering the assertion C
one copper newspaper, that mot
blow had been struck in fifteen year
previous to the arrival of Potter" de
ternained to ask some questions, Ii
diplomatic way. regarding the cor
duct of the institution, believing tha
the only fair comparison OF any bus
ness concern or individual would b
to "look up the dope" on previou
performances and see how it sized u
with the present.
Mr.. Potter was asked L he was flu
ly acquainted with the history OF tn
prison. He replied he believed h
could answer most any question frol
the records, so The Bulletin wanted
: know when dungeons were first II
stalled at the penitentiary, and brea
and water introduced as diet. TIL
answer was that in 1896 dungeon
were dug under the No. 2 building,
Il bread and water diet introduced an
| heavy shackles made for prisoner
| Mr.. Conley was the warden. In 191
the No. building was constructed.
II was equipped with six dungeons. Tn
H plans were approved by yGoverno
II Norris. Albert Galen, Tom Swindle
! hurst and Warden Conley.
II And The Bulletin investigator dis
| lowered, on what is regarded the hes
! of evidence knowledge
% that every dungeon was filled on tn
j evening of the day the prisoners hear
there was to be a new warden an
:. made little demonstration Of JOY
! Warden Potter declared that he ha
made no improvements in the way 9
| dungeons, as there were plenty, an
| an adequate supply of shackles, chain
II and Oregon boots to take care of fut
ure expansion for some years to come
H The reporter then asked il an II
II spection of the prison records wa
II permissible. The warden said every
thing the state owned in Deer Lodg
II was open for inspection and, turnin
Tito an office attendant, said: "a Butt
| newspaper say it is willing to tell tn
| truth. Give the concern an opportuni
lily. Get any record asked for an
produce all possible information;
| am very busy myself and must leav
llyou."
II The Bulletin was very anxious t
| see that If the copper newspaper
i III c+o4a,,noyf +lot a,naf a hIow had bee