CONVICT LABOR FOR ROAD WORK. 139 



STRUCTURES WITH GALVANIZED-METAL ROOF AND CANVAS SIDES. 



Buildings of this general type are in common use in the convict 

 camps of Virginia. As shown in Plate XII, figures 1 and 2, they 

 consist simply of a V-crimped tin or corrugated galvanized-iron roof 

 laid on 1 by 10 inch purlins which rest on 2 by 6 inch rafters spaced 

 about 3 feet on centers and braced with 2 by 4 inch ties. The 

 rafters rest on 2 by 6 inch plates which are spiked to 6-inch rough 

 posts, which in turn are planted about 3 feet in the ground. The 

 gables usually are covered with metal of the same weight as that 

 used in the roof and the sides are protected with drop curtains of 

 10-ounce duck. The continuous wooden platforms, 6 feet 6 inches 

 wide, raised about 18 inches above the floor and extending along the 

 two sides of the building in the sleeping quarters, take the place of 

 separate bunks or cots. The pallets are laid on these platforms, side 

 by side, with usually no space between them. The mess building, 

 ofl&cers' quarters, and storehouses are similar in construction to the 

 quarters or "cell house," the mess building, however, usually being 

 unfioored. 



The buildings in use in the Virginia camps are not fly-proof, and 

 the investigation indicates that the cracks and crevices in the sur- 

 face of the bunk platforms afford excellent lodging places for vermin 

 and filth. These faults may be remedied by inserting screens between 

 the 6-inch posts and by substituting separate metal cots for the 

 wooden bunk platforms. If double, instead of single, decked' cots be 

 used, a wider separation of the inmates wiU be possible in quarters 

 of the same size. 



With these modifications, this general type of structure wiU be 

 satisfactory for use during the summer throughout the United States 

 and the year round in the extreme southern section. That it does 

 not provide adequate protection against the winter weather in Vir- 

 ginia is the testimony of camp ofiicials whose opinion was sought. 



Buildings of this type may be considered relatively portable, and 

 the use of the metal roof makes them somewhat more durable than 

 tents, but they are neither so readily moved nor so durable as the 

 portable buildings previously discussed. To provide for all the 

 necessities of a camp of 40 men the foUoAving buildings of this type 

 would be necessary: 



One building 20 by 70 feet for convicts' sleeping quarters and 

 clothes storage; one building 20 by 70 feet for dining room, kitchen, 

 and pantry or commissary; one building 20 by 40 feet for office and 

 ofificers' quarters" and a wall tent 16 by 20 feet to be used for bath- 

 ing purposes. 



