August
Eighth
Nineteen sixteen

Hon. J. S. Mann, Supt.,
State's Prison,
Raleigh, N.C.

My dear Mr. Mann:

I deeply regret the injuries to the prisoners at Whitney. If they cannot be better protected in the future than they have in the past I am decidedly opposed to their continuance in this work. I will not agree that these men be subjected to such dangers against their will. I hope that you will communicate with Mr. Hardaway and the managers of this work and give them to understand that the prisoners will not be subjected to conditions where death and injury cannot be avoided by the exercise of proper care; and I hope that you will impress upon them that such care must always be exercised.

The remuneration which comes to the State by the hiring of those prisoners will not ve considered as against the protection to which they are entitled. If injuries result from the carelessness of superiors, or from inherent or unavoidable danger of the work, this contract with the Whitney Company must cease. I will not, if I can help it, submit that prisoners be subjected to conditions where life and limb is in imminent danger, and where such serious injuries result, from whatever cause. Will you please report to me promptly any further injury to any of the prisoners?

I know that you regret, as I do, that any of the men have suffered while in our care, and I want you to make it plain to the Whitney Company that we will not tolerate a repetition of such results as set forth in your letter.

With highest regards,

Your friend,

[unsigned]