The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-26
CALHOUN JAIL IS IN BAD CONDITION Such Is Report of Inspector. c.
 F. Bush COTTON MILLS ALL RIGHT Rush Thinks Aims Houses Should Not Be Let Out to Lowest Bidders. Better Provision Should
 Be Made.
COTTON MILLS ALL RIGHT

Anniston, May 25-(special)-D c. F. Bush, state prison, almshouse and cot ton mill inspector who has been in this city and at Jacksonville since Friday quietly making an official investigation of the conditions prevailing, completed the task and left Tuesday morning for new fields.
 In his report to the Governor, which he will prepare on his return to Mont gomery, he will say that the conditions in Calhoun county, with few exceptions are good, particularly in the cotton mills which he found to be in good sanitary condition. However, he will make some drastic recommendations regarding the county jail and almshouse He also found ready disposition to comply with the child labor and school law.
 The county jail, he says. is in poor con dltion. It was built with little thought as to ventilation. Besides, 1t is too small. He will recommend to the county com missioners that the prison windows be enlarged at least two feet; that the walls be built six feet higher; that from four to six additional electric lights be in- stalled, and that the cells and walls of the prison be repainted. The prison is as well kept as conditions will permit, he says, also that he was treated with the utmost courtesy by Sheriff LeGrand and Jailer Harmon, who seemed anxious that he might know the whole truth.
 The county almshouse at Jacksonville Dr. Bush characterized as sort of whited sepulcher. Its outside appear ance from a distance is splendid. but in side it is horribly dilapidated. He or dered a genuine cleaning, new roof and an entire new overhead ceiling The inmates are well cared for and were sat isfied, but Dr. Bush says he does not approve of the plan of letting the keep of such an institution to the lowest bid- der. He believes it more economical to pay the keeper salary for the services he renders and let the county commits sioners provide for the inmates.
 Inspector Bush visited all the cotton mills in the county except Piedmont, and the conditions prevailing were very grat- flying. He says he met with uniform courtesy in all, and was assured of purpose on the part of the operators to Ob9CA cational laws.
 Many children are already in school in alternating squads" he said, fin the effort to provide the full two months' schooling for each child each year Ia many instances the mill men are estab- fishing schools at their own expense in recognition of the truth that educated labor is better than uneducated. All children between the ages of 12 and IS years are covered by affidavits in my office, so that I am informed on that point at the beginning of each inspec- tion, and my observation is that there is purpose to observe the law.
 As to the sanitary conditions of the mills, they are excellent. This is espe- cially true of the new, modem mills. The older mills are not up to the standard in this regard"
 Dr. Bush said however. that there was among the owners a ready disposition not only to comply with the letter of the law, but to improve conditions for their own good.