It was learned today that the decision to make farmerettes of the female prisoners at the state penitentiary does not meet with the approval of those in charge of the women.
The prison board recently decided to put the women on the farm in order that the cell space now used by them might be used for overflow population in the men's department. Many cells are available there and there is space for more.
The board also took the view that the farm would be better for the health of the women inmates and would train them in many useful pursuits. Heretofore, they have been employed in a factory. Their principal recreation consisted of Saturday afternoon at State Park.
Doubt Its Wisdom
Those in charge of the department declare that the experiment will prove disastrous and they do not care to be parties to it. In fact it was learned upon good authority that the prison board would receive the resignation of the matron and all her assistants if it persisted in its decision to move the women convicts to the farm. One is said to have declared that the women were hard enough to manage under existing circumstances and that the task would be next to impossible if they moved to a farm.
At the prison today, it was stated that no resignations had been received. It was not indicated whether any were expected.
Admission Charge Delayed
The admission fee of 25¢ for all persons curious to see the inside of Missouri's great penal institution was not put into effect October 1 as decided. It was stated, however that the delay was due only to the fact that the pastboards had not been printed and not to any weakening on part of the prison management on the question.
The decision to charge admission at the prison has evoked less unfavorable comment throughout the state than was expected. Newspapers referring to it did so in a semi-humorous vein but did not "roast" it as was expected.
The majority were of the opinion that if it would cut down the number of visitors and increase the state's sadly depleted funds, it might be a good thing.