The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-04
LEASE COMMITTEE DENIES ASSISTED
 BY MINE WORKERS
Formal Statement Issued In Reply To Speech By
 James BoWrOn

Formal statement was issued Fri day by the statewide committee on abolIshment of the convict lease sys- tenn In reply to the speech of James Bcwron before the EnsIey Kiwanis club. The committee states that II has had no sort of contract with the United Mine Workers in It's fight. The statement reads:
 I've read with interest report In Friday mornings Age-Herald of a speech on the subject of the con 'vict lease system made by MT. James Bowron of the Gulf States Steel com pany and the Bessemer Coal, Iron and Land company before the Ensley kiwanis club on Thursday.
 We are glad indeed to know that MT. Bowron gave voice to his strong opposition to the lease system, for which we honor him, as. although 8 director in a company which leases cCnvicts, he has had the courage tc come to aid against the system. Mir BoWron comes of a race and coun- try which long ago did away with slavery and his natural antipathy to any form of serfdom manifests It.
 
 ton. We are also rather pleased to observe that MT. BGwron suggests as method for handling the con victs after the bolishment of the lease system, one of the plans advo- cated by our statewide committee ever since 1t was organized, viz; The production of coal by convicts entirely under state management and control.
 Tt is gratifying to have our judg- mont Tn this matter upheld by SC able, experienced and highly re- spected a business man as MT. Bow ron. Differ On Other Points.
 However, there are one or two points on which we must take issue with MT. Bowron, if he has been cor rectly quoted. He states that the United Mine Workers tf America 'fs directing this fight against convicts In the mines" If in this statement Mir. Bowron refers to the efforts oi our state wide campaign committee for the abolishment of the convict lease system to do away with the system, we beg to assure him that he has been misled Our struggle has always been solely to abolish leasing and in no way have we beer directed by or even in touch witt
 
 ica- In making public the above statement. Mir. Bowron does oul committee and its work a grave in justice.
 Others Weep.
 While Mrs. Harding. pathetic figure, stood dry-eyed, tears of sor row streamed unchecked down tho cheeks of many, including Washing ton newspaper correspondents among whom the late President numbered many Of his closest and most inti mate friends. Men who make a bust ness of reporting the disasters ant dinariy arc unconcerned in regard to their work, were unashamed a. they stood and cried for one they loved.
 James c. McReynolds, justice of th' United States supreme court: Secre taries Hubert Work, Henry c. Wal lace and Herbert Hoover, Mrs. Work Mrs Hoover and MT. and Mrs. Nal | ool,n Jennings of Columbus O., ant MT. and Mrs. C. E. Sawyer wer among the members of the presiden l tial party who lined the room durini the religious ceremony. which started at 5:05 D. ID. and finished at 5:1! p. m.
 MT. Bowron is further quoted a. saying that 'unmerciful treatment O. convicts was myth" and that "nC flogging could take place in Ala bama as the state laws prohibited such treatment" Although there l. no state law prohibiting flogging O. prisoners. Governor Kilby. shortly before he left office, issued an ordel abolishing the lash and this rule has been continued under the pres ent administration. It Is not al ways observed, however, and wt have had wel-authenticated. case! brought to our notice In which .tht lash was used very recently. Furth ermore, even when the lash Is no used, the punishment may b' and sometimes is. unmercnul have seen men in the dos houses, strapped up by the wris with toes bdrely touching tn, ground. and we know of severa cases where men were left in thi! position. without food and water for as long as SS hours. This w. regard as unmerciful punishment.
 We have written to MT. Bowron asking him to confer with us t, eXpain wherein we are misguidec and "havs lost our senses" on thi! subject. and how we are being di, rected by the United Mine Worker! of America While we have taker the greatest care to investigate fol ourselves and have never issued statements unless backed up by fact. from state reports. nevertheless W, do not profess infallibility and wt shall be glad to be set straight il we have erred. Until. however, WI are conVineod that Q cruel and out worn system, discarded by all othel states in the unions Is for the wei fare of Alaban9 we shall continu, to seek its abolishment and shal welcome the aic of such public spi