After making all arrangements to begin work with gravel train this morning Howard refused to let me have the hands. By this plan I would save over $20 per day and why I shd be refused to work them when I wish I can not see. We can never work this thing only the rail road company has control. Last year work was constantly kept back by penitentiary red tape. I thought we had control until Howard told me better this morning. I hope you will see Hicks and get him to order Howard to let me have the men, my [illegible] to confine that is secured by [illegible] bans and Saturday evg all are returned to stockade. I hope you can read this it is written on the train.