The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-24
Inspector Orders the White Women's Section of Coun-
 ty Jail Closed
PRISONERS TO BE
 SENT TO ANNISTON
None Held at Present. nt-McAdory Says He Did Not Recommend Action of 0ates-Members of Board
 Comment

The action of Dr. William H. Oates state prison inspector yesterday in or dering the removal of all white women confined in the Jefferson county jail to the Calhoun county vail at Anniston, was complete surprise to members of the board of revenue.
 Members of the board were amazed last night to learn of the action of the inspector, but took the news philosoph- ically saying that there were no white women in the county jail at present.
 Dr. Oates in ordering the removal of white women from the jail made the following comment: This compartment is unsuitable for the confinement of white women. It is located just across the corridor from the negro female compart- ment and obnoxious odors are smelled continually My reports show that during the last fiscal year more than 300 white women were in the compartment and have come to the conclusion that other arrangements should be made. In addi- ton in those who asked that the section be closed, 1 understand one of the best known judges of Jefferson county has also stated that this action should be taken"
 Dr. Oates ordered the section of the jail closed until further notice. He has always contended that the section was inadequate and from time to time changes have been made to meet his views.
 Dr. R. F. Lovelady, president of the board, when notified of Dr. Oates &C., ton was much surprised.
 This Is news to me-" he said "as l was at the office all day and had heard nothing of it. It was only day or two ago that l received a copy of pr Oates report to the governor of his inspection of the county jail and there was nothing said about contem- plated changes and no alteration in his usual recommendations To the best of by recollection there are no white women in the county jail at the pres ent time. In the absence of further in- formation l would not care to com- lnent."
 Hugh McGeevers expression was even more laconic.
 This is the first 1 have heard Of it" he said in reply to request for statement "I was at the office all day but We heard nothing of it. am great ly surprised"
 b. H. Pennington was at first incredu- lous when told of pr. Oates action.
 This is very surprising" he said. =. e have an engagement with Dr. Oates for 3aruary Il when we will go over the new Sail situation and determine regarding ~ the disposal of the county warrants, and decide whether to go ahead with the Blans. We had conference with pr. Oates on the 18th and he said nothing more than usual regarding the jail and gave no intmation that he was eontem- plating the order for the removal of wom- eneprisoners. I left the office at 5:15, having been there all day, but heard noth- ing from Montgomery"
 It was reported yesterday afternoon that Dr. Oates action was taken at the re- qnest of Sheriff McAdory and other of ficials. The sheriff last night denied that he had recommended the closing of the white women's section of the jail although admitting that it was no place in~which to keep white women perma- nentiy.
 IT did not recommend the closing of the section" said the sheriff, but it is un- fit for habitation by white women and we have not been keeping any there late N.We have a very nice room in that sec tion of the jail where women are detained temporarily until they can be transferred somewhere else. At present there is no one in that section of the jail"