The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-19
DIR. AUST|N|S MADE
. CONVICT INSPECTOR
DIR. Fowler in Charge of the
Wetumpka Hospital
BOARD NOW COMPLETE
Governor O'Neal Takes Occasion to
Say That DIR. Fowler Was in No
Way Connected With Delin-
quencies in Department

Montgomery, April Especially
ernor O'Neal today appointed DR.. j.
NJ. Austin of Wetumpka physician in
spector of the state convict department
to succeed Dr. J. T. Fowler, whom the
tuberculosis hospital and penitentiary at
Weutmpka. DIR. Fowler was induced to
take the new position owing to the fact
that he had been largely responsible for
the erection of the tuberculosis hospital,
and in order that the institution under
his supervision might attain its highest
degree of efficiency.
DR. Austin, who succeeds DR.. Fowler as
physician inspector of the convict de-
yoartment, is considered eminently duali-
fed for the duties of his new office hav-
ing had several years experience as con-
vict physician. The new appointee is a
young man, and the governor declared
in statement which he issued concern
ing the two appointments that he was
sure he would prove a most useful and
energetic member OF the board
''Under his administration" declared the
governor, in speaking of DR.. Austin, II
have no doubt that the humane policies
pursued by Dr. Fowler will be vigorously
and effectively followed, and that under
his administration all things that will
tend to better the hygiene and sanitary
conditions of the convict camps and the
proper and humane treatment of their
inmates will be vigorously carried out"
Praise for DIR. Fowler
In speaking. of DR.. Fowler the gov
eInor said that the evidence brought out
in the recent probe showed that Dr.
Fowler was in no way connected with
the delinquencies Of the convict depart
ment.
With the appointment OF DIR. Austin as
physician inspector the personnel of the
board Of inspectors has been completed
l.. f. Greer is the only member of the
fold board who has been retained on the
new, Hartwell Douglass having been ap-
pointed as j. G. Oakley's successor, and
DR.. Austin as the successor of DR.. Fow
Ter.
The governors statement is as follows:
Il nave this day appointed DR.. J. NJ.
Austin physician inspector and DR.. j. T..
Fowler as physician in charge of the tu-
berculosls hospital and the men in pen
itentiary at Wetumpka In making these
appointments at this time it is proper to
state the reasons for my action. The
tuberculosis hospital is a new departure
in the treatment of conyicts and DR..
Fowler Is very largely responsible for the
efficiency with which 1t has been con-
Quoted. In fact, its establishment is very
largely due to his zeal and interest in
the condition Of these unfortunates.
In order that this institution might
as rapidly as possible obtain it's maxi
rum OF efficiency it was in my judgment
necessary that 1t have that constant and
watchful supervision which was hnpos-
sible from DR.. Fowler while he was bur-
dened with the other duties pertaining
to the Office Of physician inspector of con-
victs. ! considered him of all men in
the state the most desirable to be I'M
charge OF this institution. and with his
consent this appointment has been given
him instead of renewing his commission
OF physician inspector of conyiets.
Not Connected With Delinquencies
gives me great pleasure to state
tnat the attorneys who have conducted
me INVESTIGATION into the management OF
the convict department have unanimously
seported 70 me that the evidence conclu-