The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-22
CHAPTER 40

CHAPTER 40
 Yes, sir--that is the state prison,' I answered the driver of the auto. The occupants of the oar--two men and two women--consulted; then the driver looked my way again.
 T wonder if we could look through the place, If we'd drive over there," said he.
 arose and looked at my watch.
 You would perhaps have a better opportunity in the forenoon"
 We saw some men working down there little way. They weren't prisoners, were they?'
 Yes"
 we wondered about it," said he. > We couldn't see any person with arms guarding them, and concluded they were not convlcts."
 There was an officer with them," l explained, but he was there more as an instructor than as guard. He has a revolver. but the old rifle days have passed away--just like the an cient ball and chain practice
 well, there are not any really bad prisoners among them, are there?' asked one of the women.
 That" said I, removing my hat in recognition of her entrance into the conversation, would depend upon what one would call a really bad prisoner"
 q mean"-she hesitated then well. those that have done terrible things like robbing trains and killing people"
 of ex-highwaymen working outside the walls" was my reply and aIsO a few who are under sentence for killing"
 You're connected with the place" remarked the other woman.
 "Yes-unfortunately, I've been con nected with it quite a while"
 Would you mind having a smoke, and telling us something about it?" ask ed the driver, a middle-aged man. He drew forth a silver looking cigar case.
 'In A Subordinate Position."
 NO, l thank you just the same" returned l, but just now l am not supposed to leave the reservation"
 "Ill just bring the cigar to you then. Any the rest of you want to get out?" He turned back to ques- tion his companions. I'm going to talk with this gentleman-here's chance to learn something new"
 He approached and handed me the cigar--I put it in a pocket with the remark that I would smoke 1t later and the others followed him. They were highly intelligent, we'll ldressed men and women, who carried with them an atmosphere of success and refinement.
 "In what capacity are you employ ed?" was the first question by one of the men.
 "Its a rather subordinate position" I said, "and if it be all the same to you, I'd rather not discuss myself any"
 "Certainly not" he returned quick ly-"and l beg your pardon. But how I..VN here?"
 Upward of 160 acres"
 And those men we saw-are they tilling the soil?"
 "Yes--they're one of about five diff ferent gangs, and all of them are working to make the place produce more. The idea is to make it as nearly elf-supporting as possible, and thus relieve the taxpayers some."
 That's good common sense."
 eve hope that It is. Nearly all the inmates themselves have caught the spirit of produce-more and -win-the- war, and that spirit along with the new ideas of penal management means transformation here in gen eral
 "The prisoners themselves" cv- claimed the woman who had lt Quired about the bad prisoners"
 ITO marked degree" I answered. And because of the big heart and soul of the new warden up there, q kind of new atmosphere of hope per meates the whole place. There's an opportunity to play the game of life In the right way"
 'Is 1t possible: l fear my remark about the bad prisoners sounded puerile."
 What Is a Real CriminaIf
 "Oh, no,'' I quickly returned. The reason 1 laughed was that your re- mark was so strictly in line with the remarks and expressed beliefs of so many others. So many persons think there is kind of hard and fast line between the bad prisoners and those who are no so terribly bad"
 Now, as to those that have com mitted the most serious offenses," observed one of the men. "Is there anything about their looks or bearing that is different from the average?"
 Nothing whatever" l assured him.
 What would you call & real crim- inal?'
 l knew that, irrespective of the fact that the questioner was fully 20 years older than l. he had not had reason for giving as much thought to the matter as I had. Quickly reasoned. Now, maybe here is a chance to leave a thought that will eventually prove helpful to others"
 
 asked:
 What would you call a criminal ?"
 well, I should think a criminal is person who practices the commis- sion of crime
 That would be my answer" I agreed. And, of course, in your eX- pression who practices the commits sion of crime you mean one who commits crime again and again, do you not?"
 Precisely that"
 And right this moment ycu four here think of all those persons in and around this prison as being criminals. do you nOt?'
 No. I don't know-perhaps we do, though?" he answered.
 Then" I went on, what consti- tutes drunkard? If this gentleman here"--I indicated one of the men who I imagine is no drinking man, should go over in the city tonight and get drunk, would that one spree make him drunkard?'
 Not necessarily"
 Would another instance of get ting drunk make him drunkard?" Perhaps not"
 "Tet. If he got drunk, we'll say. a half dozen times. people would be saying: Why, he's getting to be a drunkard'---which would be the truth, wouldn't it?"
 Tt would, snswered the lady who up to that time had not spoken a single word.
 Back At 4,4a Sharp. And so I tell you" said l, speak ing to her direct. that because those boys up there"--I pointed toward the prison-"have committed crime once they arc not necessarily criminals; neither are they real criminals --real | '--DRCanSe m l. .inE crime"
 There was a moment of silence, during which the four stood looking at me. Presently one of them spoke
 My friend" said he. you've given us something to think about. I wish