CONVICT LABOR FOR ROAD WORK. 109 



matched boards. There were two wmdows 1 foot wide by 1^ feet 

 long on both sides of the cage and four such windows on one end. 

 Every window was tightly shut and some were firmly fastened by 

 strips of wood nailed across on the outside. The only permanent 

 openings were the ones in the floor under the toilet seat and the one 

 in the roof for the stovepipe. Add to the details already presented 

 a dark and dirty interior ahvewith vermin, blankets indescribably 

 foul and filthy, and a hole underneath filled with uncovered, unpro- 

 tected human filth, and the picture is complete. 



While this condition is the worst which the investigation revealed, 

 many other overcrowded, dirty, vermin-ridden wooden cages were 

 found in use. The steel cages can be kept free from vermin, but, as 

 seen in actual use, they are badly overcrowded and tightly closed on 

 all sides at night by the canvas curtains with which they are provided. 



Proper Space Allowance. 



The question of the exact number of persons which may properly 

 be assigned to a given space is one which is difficult to answer. It is 

 reasonable to assume, however, that the space in the sleeping quarters 

 of any camp shotdd be sufficiently large to permit a healthful separation 

 of the occupants and to allow the body all necessary freedom of mo- 

 tion. As the result of observations of many convict camps and with 

 a knowledge of the economic problems with which they are con- 

 fronted, the conclusion has been reached that an allowance of 20 

 square feet of floor space for each man and a distance of 2 feet be- 

 tween beds or bunks (which should be single) is the least that can be 

 provided without serious overcrowding. The separation of the beds 

 and economy of floor space may be obtained by the use of double- 

 deck bunks. The bmiks should be set out a foot or more from the 

 walls of the building, in order to allow a free circulation of air on 

 ail sides. 



Ventilation. 



When human beings are inclosed in a space not provided with 

 adequate means for the entrance of fresh air and the escape of stale 

 air, the atmosphere may become overheated, overmoist, and stag- 

 nant, and experience has shown that this is an extremely unhealthful 

 condition in which to live. Not only is the working power diminished, 

 but the vitaUty of the body and its abihty to resist disease also are 

 impaired. 



In the winter persons who Uve in overheated rooms filled with 

 stagnant air made moist by the breath and excretions of the skin are 

 especially susceptible to coughs, colds, pneiunonia, and other dis- 

 eases of respiration wliicli could bo avoided to a great extent by good 

 ventilation. In summer, when oven the outdoor air is often hot and 



