CONVICT LABOR FOR ROAD WORK. 127 



Iron bunks are much better than wooden bunks. They can be 

 kept free from vermin easily, and are more comfortable and durable. 

 When bmiks with straw bedding are used, the straw or hay should 

 be changed at least once a week. 



QUARTERS AND STRUCTURES. 



The quarters and structures in use in convict camps in the United 

 States are of the following types: (1) Frame structures built for 

 relatively permanent occupation; (2) cheap shacks with tar-paper 

 roofing or covered on all sides with tar paper; (3) structures with 

 galvanized metal roofs and canvas sides; (4) shacks with wooden 

 sides and canvas roofs; (5) abandoned cabins or farm houses; (6) 

 buildings of the portable or "knock-down" variety; (7) canvas tents; 

 (8) wooden or steel cars or cages mounted on wheels. 



Each of these types may serve to good purpose when used in 

 connection with the conditions to which they are fitted and when 

 represented by structures of good design; but, as frequently happens, 

 they also may be used inappropriately in an environment to which 

 they do not belong, and in such cases, even though the structures 

 themselves are of good design, their use may result in inadequacy 

 or lack of economy. 



In any case, the choice of type will be influenced by a number 

 of conditions, such as the following: 



{a) The normal range of temperature of the locality. Thus, 

 though the generally warm or mild temperatures of the extreme 

 southern sections of the country will permit of the use of tents or 

 even of shelters with open sides, the cold winters of the Northern 

 States demand tightly constructed buildings. 



(Jb) The rainfall and humidity of the section. In a section of 

 heavy precipitation, such as the coastal regions of the States of Oregon 

 and Washington, only buildings of the closed-in, tightly constructed 

 types should be used, and these should be raised above the ground 

 in order to escape the evil effects of the excessive moisture. Canvas 

 t€uts would be out of place under such conditions not only because 

 of the small protection they afford but because they would deteriorate 

 very rapidly in such a climate. On the other hand, in the arid and 

 semiarid sections of Arizona, New Mexico, and neighboring States 

 tents make ideal quarters. Not only do they provide sufficient pro- 

 tection against weather but in the absence of moisture and heavy 

 winds they give excellent service for relatively long periods, 



(c) The availability of building material. The inducement to use 

 wood in the construction of quarters in those sections of the country 

 which are heavily wooded, and where wood is accordingly cheap, may 

 be sufficient to outweigh a number of other important considera- 

 tions; but in the Central and Middle Western States the use of 

 53577"— Bull. 414—16 9 



