The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-03
GREENE CHARGES NEW GRAND JURY Makes No Allusion to Spe-
 cific Crimes MANY CASES ON HAND Contrary to the General Expectation Judge Greenes Charge Was
 Entirely Devoid of Spe-
 cial Features
MANY CASES ON HANI

Contrary to general expectations, the charge that Judge Samuel E. Greene of the criminal court delivered to the grand jury yesterday morning was devoid of any special features. the well known jurist conhning himself to the general duties or the grand jury and the law relating to their investigations and the extent of their authority.
 In clear, concise language, without superfiuous word, Judge Greene called the grand iury's attention to matters they were called upon by law to look into and defined the different degrees of crime as laid down by the statutes and read the special charge from the criminal code
 The jury entered the box at 9:S0 o'clock and before 10 o'clock they were in the grand jury room ready to enter upon their duties. with oscar E. Randle as foreman Solicitor Henin will be fin at tendance with his official stenographer' Mr. Lambert Ed Newman was sworn in as baiin
 Judge Greene opened his charge by calling the attention of the grand jury to the oath they had taken and admon- ished them to keep secret all of the trans actions taking place in the grand jury room.
 He charged them to examine the coun- ty jail, the treasurer's books, sheriff s accounts for feeding prisoners, the fee books of the probate judge and several other matters connected with the affairs of the county.
 Judge Greene laid stress on the fact that only legal testimony should gov ern in finding true bills and that they should vigorously investigate all cases l brought before them where crime had been committed and told them they should make their presentments without fear or favor.
 Crimes, he said, were divided into two classes felonies and misdemeanors. In 1 explaining the nature of these offenses Judge Greene said it was highly import ant for the jury to remember the diff l ference and to ndict for the lesser of fense If the evidence was insufficient rather than put the county to the ex- pense of a long trial that might result in an acauittal.
 He urged them 10 be vigilant in their investigation of the homieides that might be brought to their notice and defined the several degrees of murder.
 The judge explained the various other crimes. such as arson. robbery, burglary, assault with intent 10 murder, embez- element, perjury, bribery, violation of election laws. violation of revenue laws, gaming. automobile speeding, offenses against the fish and game laws and many other crimes.
 At Inc conclusion of Judge Greene's charge the grand jury adjourned to the jury room and went into session. Notwithstanding the fact that no refer ence was made to any special feature or crime the grand jury will be called on to investigate it is understood that over 300 cases are on the docket, many of them for serious offenses. and long and busy session of the grand jury is anticipated.
 Judge Greene ntmatcd yesterday that attachments would be issued for all those who had been summoned to serve on the grand jury and who failed to appear on Monday morning. thero being one-third of the venire absent when the grand jury was organized