The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-23
MORGAN LEGISLATOR
WANTS LAWS TO AID
CROP INVESTIGATION
TENNESSEE VALLEY BUREAU |
THE AGE-HERALD
Albany-Decatur, Ala, Jan. re J

Prompt attention to a bill advo-
cased by MIN during his campaign
relative to providing four definite
aids for cooperative marketing of
farm products is predicted by John
Patterson, Morgan county represent
atiye, who returned to the capital
Monday night after spending the
weekend at home.
Mr.. Patterson declared that as d.
versification was dependent upon
crop marketing conditions, he con-
sidered it within a realm of posi-
bility for the state agricultural de-
partment to provide suitable ware
houses for storing all farm products
and a system of financial aid SO that
farmers could obtain enough money
to permit them to hold such deposited
crops until they could be marketed
Systematically.
If cotton warehouses can be pro-
vided, Mr.. Patterson asked, why
could not warehouses for other
products including packing and stor-
age houses for meats also be pro-
vided.
purposes the state, under the convict
lease system. loses control of the men
from the moment they step into the
AulhCS llOWCNClB liC ~ CSOhSS VI SAS
deputy warden oftentimes prevented
abuses during the past four years,
according to officials of the convict
department.
O'NeaI Used System
Gov. Emmett ONeal tried out the
contract system during his admin
istration. He contracted with one of
the coal companies to use convict
labor in mining coal, the state re-
tanning supervision of the convicts in
the mines and out of the mines, de-
livering the coal at the mouth of the
mine to the company and collecting
stipulated amount for each ton of
coal so delivered.
This contract continued in force
several years but was abandoned by
the Henderson administration, which
returned to the old system.
Should this system be adopted, the
argument Is that the convict lease
system would be brought to an end
and at the same time the state would
retain in its treasury the large
amounts necessary in providing quar-
tiers for the convicts who would be
worked on the public roads and in
other ways.
During the present session no ar
gument has been made against the use
of convicts in mining coal. The ar
gument has been against the lease
system. Many state convicts would
prefer to work in the mines than to
work on the roads. They have two
reasons for preferring coal mining.
One is that they work in an even
temperature during all seasons of the
year. The other is that they may
earn extra money after they have
completed their tasks for the state.
Earn Extra Money
The latter reason is looked upon
as the greater by the convicts.
Records of the convict department
show that many convicts earn extra
money each month at the mines,
money which they are allowed to ex-
pend for themselves or to send to
their families. During debate on the
extension of the lease system Friday
one member of the house said con-
Wet had earned $4,000 by mining
coal after completing his task. The
convict departments records do not
bear out this statement, but do bear
cut the statement that an able bodied
convict can make a reasonable
amount by his extra work every
month If he desires to do so.
A convict is not required to work
overtime in the mines. He may do
SO and all money he earns above his
daily task is his. And, in this con-
nection, it must be known that a con-
vict's task is based on his physical
condition and his physical condition
is established by a thorough ply
steal examination made by the ply
sician-inspector of the convict de-
partment.