The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-30
Personal Interest Said to Have Figured in the Re-
 cent Action
CRITICISM UNJUST,
 SAY THE OFFICERS
F. M. Jackson Is Among Prominent Citizens Who Charge Secretary Me- Grath of Associated Charities
 With Personal Motive
By PERCY CLARK

The grand jurys criticism of the aims house and the Hilman hospital has stirred hornets nest that is being turned on. not only members of the jury vho are charged with having grievances against the board of revenue. but the secretary tine United Charities, who is openly charged with having lobbyed with two grand juries in pursuit of a retaia- tory policy, and a spirit of self-elected supervision of Birmingham and Jefferson cornty's elemosynary institutions.
 It is charged that the failure of the board of revenue to meet Secretary Mc- Grath's views in appropriations for diff ferent charities he has personal and pecuniary interest in administering, has stimulated him to this activity
 Regarding Survey" Articles
 It is recalled that he is in measure responsible for the criticisms of the pub lieaton Survey" which. while they nay have been in some measure. and some details, correct. yet were unfair, and lacked in the spirit of honorable pride; a pride that would strive to correct the faults and shortcomings, without holding this district up to the great public of the wide world in such damming colors
 It is said, Secretary McGrath himself would be pleased to take charge of the aimshouse with the salary attached, of course.
 During the visit of the last grand jury one of the ladies in charge heard a juror say: "McGrath told us to take particular notice of certain things"
 Superintendent Taylors Work
 Superintendent Taylor, who for the past four years has had charge of the alms- house. is a citizen by birth of Jefferson county; successful farmer who dug out of the soil'' a competence, which is in the Birmingham banks; he is a property owner; is ;r>Smember of the Methodist church; is a man who has the confidence and respect of his neighbors and his friends. The grand jury's report has but helped to advertise his faithfuness, and value a public servant. He has the unqualified indorsement of everybody that has had any connection with the almshouse. either as trustees for the county dhe board of revenue), all vis- ttors, except one (McGrath); the neigh bors to the institution; the different church organizations that hold services at the almshouse every Sunday after l,oon, and the patients and their friends A man of family, open-hearted, generous to a fault and honest to penny, is what those who have an intimate per 
 Statement By Mir. Jackson
 F. M. Jackson, a member of the United Charities special committee, has given 10 the press the following communication:
 There is one feature of the report however, that, in my judgment, is rather sdVere. and Is not entirely borne out by facts. The almshouse is not as bad as the grand jury pictures it, and am per suaded that the report was largely based on statement given the grand jury by the secretary of the Associated Charities
 "A committee was appointed by Mir Paschal Shook, the worthy president of the Associated Charities, to investigate such institutions as the almshouse jals etc. At a recent meeting the report of the secretary was presented to this com mittee, of which 1 was a member, and it was so drastic in its nature that l pro- posed visit the place and ascertain for ourselves the true conditions before we signed it.
 We visiter the almshouse on a Sat urday afternoon without notice to the authorities. We did not find conditions ideal for the reason that the house is old and the general surroundings are not well adapted for the present needs, but condi- lions are not half as bad as was pictured 10 us. The inmates are very we'll cared for in my judgment. Their food seems to be of a good quality, the kitchen Is well kept and the wards are by no means in a deplorable condition. The majority of the inmates of such institutions have likely never been used to much better conditions.
 That there could be some little im- provements I would not deny. But as a general proposition the board of revenue has not dsgraced the county in the man. ner in which the almshouse has been kept. To make extensive Improvements would be useless in view of the contem- plated new buildings at the new site which the county officials have selected for the different institutions.
 This article Is written in defense of our county. It has been unjusty cen eured, but I do not think the grand