August 12, 1918.

Mr. R. L. Huffman,
Morganton, N.C.

Dear Sir:-

I have yours of the 10th instant enclosing letter from Mr. Yoder referring to the treatment of convicts by the Hardaway Construction Company.

I saw the Governor about this and submitted to him your letter. He asked me to say to you not to institute any investigation before a Grand Jury as he would have Mr. Collie, Supt. of the Penitentiary, tp go to the Prison Camps and investigate these charges and report to you. I told Mr. Collie to see Mr. Yoder and for him to aid in the investigation of these charges. I really do not believe there is any foundation for them, but I want the matter fully investigated.

The Hardaway Construction Company, it seems, has at all times been ready to do anything reasonably necessary to make the prisoners comfortable and they are under the guard of the State’s employees, and not employees of the Hardaway Construction Company.

Yours very truly,

Attorney-General.

M/H.