Salt Lake Tribune | 1914-03-08 | Page 6 | Convict Labor

CONVICT LABOR. . Tho burden of supporting convicts in this country Is constantly growing moro grievous. Unless the convicts aro omploycd iu some way that pays for thoir maintenance, every person in tho stato must bo taxed to support thorn. The ratio of convicts to iho general population is increasing in nearly all tho states, and tho taxpayors aro justified justi-fied in demanding that tho convicts shall bo self-supporting. Tho problem hna been pcrious bo-causo bo-causo convict labor has been mado to coinpeto with freo labor. Tho workers of the country have felt that their own wolfaro required tho elimination ' of auch competition and thoy havo constantly con-stantly crusaded against convict labor. Wiiys and means Fhotild be devisod to j put the convictsvat work, without taking tak-ing any work from freo labor. This may be done in tho western states by making tho convicts toil in tho quarries quar-ries and turn out brokon Btono for good roads. This will creato work for frco labor at fair wages. At tho same timo tho convicts will bo puyiug for their upkeep, and porhaps oven for the maintenance of wives nnd childron.