B. H. Hardaway Contracting Co., Whitney, N.C. will make application to you for at least 100 to 300 Convicts for their work at Whitney, N.C. These people are not Railroad Contractors, but developers of Hydro Electric Power. If you can arrange to lease these convicts to the above concern you will find that it is one of the most satisfactory companies to hand;e your convict labor of anyone ever having done business in this State. They would be there for two years or more, would have permanent quarters with excellent food, warm and comfortable houses and their camp would be located in healthy surroundings.

The writer understands that there has been a Law passed by the last Legislature annulling the leasing of convicts to Railroad Contractors, but I thought this would not include the above mentioned concern. I do not know just how the law reads, but if it is possible for you to so arrange to lease these convicts to the Hardaway Company I feel sure, as stated above, that it will be the most satisfactory lease that the State could possibly make.

Mr. Hardaway is very well known all over the South as a very high toned gentleman and his organization is without question the best of its kind in the United States. You can find all kinds of reference as to what they are and the above firm will gladly give them any recommendation that they may desire and for your information, Mr. J. H. Weddington, who, up to a few months ago was President of this firm, has advised the writer that he would be glad to have his name used as reference, as he has known Mr. Hardaway and his concern for years.

There are about one hundred convicts, so I understand, that are now being worked by the Kenefick-Hoffman Company on the Raleigh Charlotte & Southern, and, if possible, the Hardaway Company would like to continue the contract that the Kenefick-Hoffman Company have on this bunch of men.