Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-06-17

rangement with Conley as to the pork.
he said. it being a part of the general
arrangement. Regarding requirements
of Conley's horses, machinery and
equipment, witness said it was the gen.
eral understanding Of the board that
such requirements should be made by
the state.
Mr.. Kelly testified that the prison
water contract was in existence when
the new board went in and after being
satisfied that the price was satisfac-
tory the contract was continued.
did any member of the old board
ever tell you about 100000 brick?'
witness was asked.
81 do not remember the number of
brick replied the witness, but we
were advised that some brick had been
borrowed from Conley and would have
to be returned"
Mr.. Kelly was asked if. in consid-
Grafton of the use of Conley's automo-
biles for the state and the prison. the
tires and repairs for his cars.
Followed Old Board
He replied this matter was discussed
as a condition which had previously
existed and the new board decided to
continue the furnishing of such sup
plies. He said his recollection was
that the state owned no cars at the
prison but that Conley had several
which the state employed in its work
at the prison, mt Warm Springs and
at Galen. He said:
eve bought automobiles for the
heads of other state institutions and
we furnished supplies, but as we owned
no cars at Deer Lodge. We readily
| apraoa to prnrido crnnlfoS far Coplnr'S
cars"
Mr.. Rankin asked if the board knew
Conley's cars were also being used by
members of his family and he replied
the board was aware Of this fact. as
well as the fact that the state owned
cars at other institutions were used
for pleasure riding. TO which the board
raised no objections.
Gould they have been used to go
fishing?' asked Mr.. Rankin.
Il suppose So replied Mr.. Kelly:
"our board was rather broad in its
views"
Norris Takes Stand
Former Governor Norris was called
to the stand when Mr.. Kelly's examina-
ton had been concluded and said he had
served as lieutenant governor from the
first Monday in January. 1905. until
April /. 1908. when Governor Joseph
X. Toole resigned. and he then became
governor, being reelected the following
fall and serving until 1918. He said
he first obtained an insight into the af-
fairs of the prison in 1899. when he
was president pro TEN of the senate
and acted as governor for about six
weeks. He also acted as governor sew
eral times while serving as lieutenant
While governor, he said, he attended
governor.
the Roosevelt conference of governors
in Washington. where he inquired large
II into the management Of prisons and
satisfied the proper method was
for the states to manage their prisons
and not to leave them TO private con-
tractors. Soon after taking the office
of governor. he said. the situation at
the prison became very acute in con
~nection with the awarding of contracts
for the operation of the institution. and
after comforting with Attorney General
Galen. he learned there was a way
whereby the contract system could be
abolished and the warden system estab-
lished. The matter was discussed IN
detail and he asked Mr. Galen TO aid in
changing the system. Secretary of
State Yoder was then sick in Chicago.
but wrote to not delay changing the
system.
Mr.. Norris said he had made ar in
vestigation of the prison at this time
for the reason that for some years he
had made a study. from an academic
standpoint, of prison conditions. and
his interest had been enlivened at the
governors conference in Washington.
Paid ConIey $4,000
After failing to reach an agreement
with Wyman e. Henderson. who were
the low bidders upon the prison con-
tract, he said, q resolution was passed
by the board adopting the prison sys-
tenn and fixing the warden's salary at
$3, 1000 a year. He said the board then
went to Deer Lodge to work out the
plans and the question Of salary, Mr..
not yet having accepted the
position, was discussed In the PRISON
Mr.. Conley, said Gov. Norris. called
attention of the board to the fact
that in other states the prison warden
was given not only a salary and resi-
dence, but also his maintenance. He
said he should be allowed his supplies.
"I suggested" said Gov. Norris.
that In view of the dangers-having
mind the experience through which
Mr.. Conley had then recently passed
and in which he had nearly lost his
ife-that $4,000 was small enough,
and he should also be provided with
,
Yoder. said Gov. Norris. said "Yes,
that is all right, but be must take the
from the prison commissary."
was said by either of the other
members following that remark, said
he governor.
Governor Norris said that upon tax
ng over the prison he felt a great
responsibility towards get ::
ing the convicts out into the open =
prevent them from going insane,
did go insane. he said, and he
Used every effort t. that end after he
lad been assured from study Of tie
that reformation of convicts
,ould not be accomplished without get
ing them out of the walls and at
work. The men were started to work
IN the roads. he said, and while he
vas in sympathy with the desire of
'ther members Of the board to get as
much value out of their work as pos
ible, his principal object was to get
hem into the open.