Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-11-05

grew out of the suggestion of a
prisoner in the Auburn prison.
To Obtain Best Results
1t was his judgement that best re-
suits were to be had if the prisoners
asked for the League, than If it was
given to them without any request
forced upon them.
Mr.. PattangalI interrupted to re-
mark that it did not apply at Thorn
aston, that there the plan of the
League was submitted to the in
mates for their consideration and
they asked for it.
He said the League was based on
the practical proposition of training
men in good citizenship. 1t was a
great stimulus to the religious life
of the community. In this connec-
ton, he said that while the chaplain
was the theoretical head of the re-
ligious life of the institution. unfor-
tunately he was one of the officials OF
the institution, a part of the machln-
cry which kept the men in prison,
1t had been his observation that TINS
result religiously speaking, among
the men, was obtained thru clergy
men from outside who come into the
prison to see the men. No one
warden or other official, should at
tepmt to force religion on the men.
He declared that many manu1ac-
turers who previously would not en-
ploy an ex-convict, would take them
after the League began to junction
One of the Difficulties
One of, the most difficult Things IN
the prison he said, was to make the
men work hard, and the reason was
that in the past, prison labor mao
been slavery. New York state PAID
its laborers a cent sday and there
was a. fine of so cents for every pun
ishment so that most prisoners lett
the institution in debt to the state.
Under the Welfare League system
at Sing Sing, production in the shoe
shop was increased 60 percent.
Gambling at All Prisons
He said that gambling was one OF
the evils which prevailed in prison
as it did outside. 1t always has, and
the great object was to reduce II 10
the minimum.
All Prisoners Crooks
Questioned by Senator Hinckley as
to whether in talking to the prisoners
he told them that they were just as
good as the people outside, he sald
that he always made it clear to them
that they were all crooks, and mat
while a few people who ought not
to be there, got into prison, all the
rest of them should be there. He
also told them that the fact that q
lot of people who ought to be IN
prison managed to keep out, did not
change this.
Mr.. Osborne unqualiiedly endorsed
the system Of using convicts in Nigh
Way construction. He said that ne
had not only observed the use OF men
in this way, but had worked with
them and it was best for the men and
best for the state.
Prison Cook Testifies
Attorney Pattangall then calleo
upon Ernest w. Bunker. cook at the
prison and in charge of the Kitchen,
who testified relative to an afildavit
charging that there is great waste
in the prison kitchen. He asserted
that he tries to give the men about
what they need TO work on. about
5000 calories per man per day, ana
he varies the bill of fare.
Attorney then presented a state
ment from the auditors books show
ing the rise in the food cost per
capita per week at the prison as fol-
lows: 1928. 1888; 1924, $1.96; and
1925, $3.50.
Mr.. Bunker declared that although
he does not have anything to do with
the buying of provisions, he consid-
cred that the quality OF food at the
prison is now better than before and
that the original cost of the food IS
more than previously. He pointed