December 20, 1909
MUST LIGHT CONVICTS' PIPES.
New Duty Imposed Upon Guards in
the Federal Prison.
TOPEKA, Dec. 19. -- Warden McClaughrey of the federal prison has gone Warden Codding of the state prison one better in the matter of reforms. He has issued an order requiring the guards to light the pipes of the convicts.
A few days ago some convicts almost set one of the prison barns afire in the federal prison. To prevent any accident of that kind Warden McClaughrey simply decided to take matches away from all the prisoners. In order not to disappoint them in their smoking, however, he has directed the guards to carry a small alcohol lamp to light the pipes of the prisoners.
The guards are kicking on the order, claiming it makes them the servants of the convicts, but the order will stand just the same. It is estimated that the prison will save $25 a month on matches by reason of the new order, but it will probably spend double that amount for fuel in the alcohol lamps.
Labels: penitentiary, tobacco, Topeka
