The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-02
Describes Conditions at the City Prison on the
 SouthSide
HIGH PRICES PAID
 FOR ALL PROVISIONS
Hopes That City Physician Will Re- lease State Prison Inspector From Municipal Dutes-citizens
 Invited to Inspect.

Several days ago news stories came from Montgomery quoting Dr. Shirley Bragg, state prison and cotton mill in- spector in very harsh and. in the eyes of many, a very unjust attack on the southside stoekade, located on Avenue D and Nineteneth street Mayor Ward. in an interview given out last night, re- sents what he believes to he unjust criti- csm of conditions a the Jail, and also who he regarded d misrepresentation of the real conditions as they exist in the stockade maintained for occupation by the street cleaning force.
 It will be remembered that Dr Bragg. according to the interviews published. stated that the enclosure for city pris- oners known as the southsde stockade, was not fit for human beings 10 be taken into.k In speaking with reference To the fare afforded the inmates of the stockado he made statement that animals could not live on lt, much less human beings.
 Brage's Criticism.
 Dr. Bragg referred to the meat on which the negroes were fed being ot a quality which everyone else would turn down, stating that it was all fat. of d very inferior quality, and cut into pieces 
 he stated was little less than dough. be- Ing cooked on the outside and uucooked in the middle
 A severe criticism was drawn on the hunks on which the negroes sleep. the sense of his statement being that they were little less than boards. and so close together that they afforded no comfort. A measurement shows them to be about three and half feet tall
 All his the Mayor resents In hts state- ment He has made q careful. personal in- spection of the jail, and of the fare furn- lshed the prisoners. and conditions in gen. eral. and upon this basis his made the following statement last night:
 Mayors Statement
 "rhe southside jail is not aesthetic. Neither is 1t bad as painted. The state prison inspector and our very zealous city physician are doubtless excessively conscientious. sensitive and attuned to more delicate conditions.
 We trust however, that they will bear patiently with us if we decline to build a 1 new Jail. At least, until after they have l held a referendum with the people and | informed us what schools. fire stations l and policemen shall be cut out in order to l provide the $S5 600 which d new jail will | cost
 "The city has been bettering conditions at this prison and they will continue to be improved
 The published remarks about the prison fare indicate that the rest of the report should be taken with a grain of salt. My investigations show that bills lean to- ward high prices. If not extravagancs The men in charge of the jail are all on salaries and have absolutely no incentive to buy cheap stuff, as the city foots all bills. Furthermore. they have always had instructions to buy the best.
 Use "JIm Dandy Meal.
 "Our cook is paid s35 per month We | use Jim Dandy meal at 10 or l5 cents a l bushel higher than other meal. The pack 1 ing houses have voluntarily offered tf state that no other prison In this section and no contractor buys such high priced meat. I have searched diligently and have yet failed to find any reason why our meat should be all fat and no lean.
 We pay s225 a bushel for the best beans to be had and 8 n barrel for first patent flour: also p cents a pound for | coffee and cane syrup at bo cents gall l lon.
 Members of the South Side fire depart ment frequently take meals at the South Side stockade. and are anxious to pay tribute to the skill and artistic judgment of our high priced cook.
 In the meantime, 1t is hoped that our city physician will release the state pris- on inspector from municipal duties and permit q joint committee from the city council and the Jefferson County Medical society to report on what is needed.
 "rhere will be demurrng to more | ventilation, or more bunks or more ban- | kets or more disinfectants. Neither will we object to different kinds Of shacks if 1t Is found possible to use them and stnl 1 keep possession of the criminals that the law forces ns to take charge of.
 If any citizen has the curiosity to see