Remonstrance against prison contract labor in manufacturing

Pet 675A

Remonstrance of Bradley V. Metcalf, Boot & Shaw manufacturers of Milwaukee Wisconsin against present system of [illegible] Convict Labor Keogh 3/12 Lab & Jud 4/15 St. Aff

3/11 L&CVT

To the Honorable Legislature of the State of Wisconsin:

We, the undersigned, being citizens and tax-payers of this State, respectfully petition your honorable body to abolish the system of prison contract labor now in vogue in the penal institutions of this state, for the following reasons:

First - That we are tax-payers of this State engaged in the manufacture of Boots and Shoes, whereas the labor of the convicts is farmed out to non-residents and non-taxpayers.

Second - For the reason that the said labor is hired out at the rate of from thirty to fifty cents per day. Their plant is furnished them free of rent of building or power, thereby allowing them to sell their product at a much lower rate, than the product of free labor can be sold at, thereby forcing us into unjust competition, and making our employes suffer hardship in reduced wages and idle times.

We are taxed on our plant the sum of $200,000. Our weekly pay-roll is when in full operation about $4,000. We employ from 400 to 450. We have ___ months lost time during the year. We produce annually from 525,000 to 600,000 pairs. Value of said product $750,000 to $1,000,000

We also believe that prisoners should not be kept in idleness, and would respectfully suggest to your honorable body the law as recently passed by the legislature of the State of New York, and now in force in said state.

In view of the condition of affairs as set forth in the foregoing statement, we would respectfully request your honorable body to take early action for our relief.

Chas. L. Metcalf