The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-06-16
GRAND JURY FAVORS
 SKYSCRAPER JAIL Grade Crossings Come in for
 Condemnation MANY INDIC7 MENTS FOUND Visit Is Paid to Various County Insti- tutions, Including Hillman Hos pital, and All Are Found In
 Good Condition.
MANY INDICTMENTS FOUND

The grand jury finished it's work yester- day morning and made full report in which reference is made to many suD- jects of especial interest to the public. During the last two weeks vast amount of work was done resulting in the find- ing of lS7 true bills, of which S4 are felony cases. Recommendation is made to build new jail eight or ten stories high and additional courts. The dangerous grade crossing is condemned and legisla- ton asked to make 1t compulsory on rail- roads to remedy the evil.
 The following is the report in full: To the Hon. Daniel A. Greene, Judge of
 Criminal Court of Jefferson County.
 We, the grand jury duly sworn by your honor on the first day of April, 1907, after you delivered to us a most able charge, outlining our duties, and assisted by Hon. II. P ieflin, solicitor and Mir John r. Abbott. the able assistant solicitor, and Miss Yarbrough and Messrs. Montgomery and O'Connor, stenographers; and MT E. A. Reeves, bailf, beg to submit this, our final report.
 Auditors Report.
 We have examined about 1863 witnesses, docketed 436 cases, returned 336 true bills, and, on account of our inability to pro cure material witnesses, we ask your honor to continue 17 cases for considera- tion by the next grand jury.
 The last grand jury, in February, hay ing examined the official bonds of all county officers, other offices, and public institutions of the county, we do not deem 1t necessary in such short time to make another examination.
 We concur in the last grand jury's re- commendation that the senator and mem- bers of the legislature from Jefferson county be requested to have law passed if necessary by which the county could realize some interest on the large balance on hand. The auditors report shows that for the last two years the county has had an average balance of r-s., ,26400 for the years 1904 and 1905 and $312, ,404 46 for 1905 and 1906 At a nominal rate of interest this would produce several thousand dol lars a year income. or else the tax rate be reduced to prevent so much money from accommodating.
 We are advised by Mir. George Eustls, city treasurer of Birmingham, that the city of Birmingham receives 1 per cent interest on It's balance.
 We ask that Jefferson county banks be asked to bid for the use of the coun- ty balance.
 The Fee System.
 The following resolution was adopted;
 Resolved, by this grand jury of Jeffer- son county, That the sheriff. judge of pro- bate, the clerks of all the courts of law and equity and register in ehancery, the tax assessor tax collector, coroner and any other officers of the county of Jeffer- son, whose compensation for such office Is derived from the fees paid into said office is hereby requested to furnish the next grand jury in September the gross revenues of said office for the preceding twelve months prior to September l. 1907, then for such time previous to said date as said officer has been discharging the duties of said ofice."
 Recommends New Jail.
 .. made an inspection of the county jail. We recommend the following ab- necessary improvements:
 Ventllating fans in both the white and colored jails for forcing out the foul air during the summer months; improve ments in the plumbing so that running water will be in the sewer pipes; iron sim gle beds, for the hospital and women's department shower baths in some of the bath rooms for white prisoners.
 Prisoners report plenty of good food be- ing served twice day. We found jail in a clean condition.
 We recommend building an entire now jail, combined with a new criminal court house not less than eight or ten stories high, something that will be an ornament to the city and large enough to aceommo- date the criminal court and prisoners Tor fifty years to come
 This should have at least four crim- inal court rooms with two inferior court rooms for Beats 21 and 37, with large and suitable offices for the Judges, solic- itors and clerks ~ the criminal court; sleeping room for the jurors; large audi torum for services for the prisoners; worg room. where the prisoners can make all garments for both male and female; a large modern laundry, hospital large and airy for sick prisoners. Every prls- oner should be stripped of their filthy clothing and 1t burned when they are brought to jail.
 The roof on the jail should be used by prisoners for exercise.
 Favors Bond Issue.
 We recommend citizens to vote in favor of bond issue for this purpose June 24
 We recommend that the senators and of the legislature from Jeffer son county be requested to have law passed allowing the sheriff to purchase fifty guns at the expense of the county to be used in riot and emergency cases. He to give bond for care of such guns, and grand jury to inspect same.
 We paid a visit to the aims house and found 1t in good, clean and sanitary con dtion. The inmates report good food and treatment We concur in report of last grand jury and earnestly recommend our county authorities to take immediate steps to have eight insane inmates incarcerated in brick jail at aims house be carried to state prison asylum. where they belong.
 We recommend the senators and mem bers of legislature enact a law, if neces- sary, giving county authority to employ two detectives to keep up with witnesses for prosecution in criminal cases before grand jury and criminal court, also work to rid the county of gaming table. viola tons of revenue law and carrying of concealed weapons.
 We recommend the strict enforcement of the vagrancy law.
 Elevators In Court House.
 We concur in recommendation of last jury that first-class elevators be installed in court house at once as the cost of maintaining same would be a srine com pared to the convenience 1t would afford citizens having business on the upp 1T floors of the court house