The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-31
PROPERTY OWNERS WILL OFFER ID BUY JAIL FROM COUNTY Another Movement Started Looking to Removal of
 "the Carbuncle" BOARD OF REVENUE
 TO HEAR PROPOSAL Backers Are Very Sanguine of Sue cess-Many Advantages of Re-
 moval Pointed Out-Will Be
 Business Proposition
By CLYDE W. ENNIS


 An offer to buy the county jail from the board of revenue of this county will be made next week Business men and property owners on Twenty first street. realizing the depressing effect of the 'carbuncle' at the present location, have gotten together and will make a formal offer of purchase at a meeting of the board next week. It is planned to submit to the board of revenue a proposal that three experts of recognized judgment as to real estate esvalues appraise the county jail property and ask the board of reve- nue to offer for sale the iails property on that appraisal
 The county jail has been an eyesore on Twenty-first street since that street recently came into it's own as a retail business street Now that the Birming- ham Railway, Light and Power com pany's new building will contain five re- tail stores, and on account of the fact that the Ridgely apartments are open. and as there is planned for Twenty first street several other improvements in the event the jail is moved, there is to be a concerted movement started for the re- moval of the jail The matter will be handled as plain business proposition. grounds solely. It is the plan of the property owners to pay the county the real value of the property.
 An expert yesterday said that in his opinion the land was worth at least Sl50.- 000. The lot is 100 feet by about 250 feet to an alley. paralleling the Catholic prop erty on Fourth and Third avenues. It is an ideal place for business houses, and 1t is stated the combination of property owners will endeavor to improve the property as it should be in the event 1t is secured.
 Representatives of the Chamber of Commerce recently held several confer ences with the board of revenue looking to the removal of the jail. but nothing ever came of it. The civic chamber off cials were unable to convince the board that the Jail should be destroyed and a criminal court building or some build ing for court purposes erected there. Financial ills were the reasons put forth for the refusal of the county to part with the jail or undertake a new jail and new court building on the property.
 It is said to be feasible for the county to sell the property as it is now situated take the money which will be secured from the sale and use it with some addi- tional funds for the erection of a new jail elsewhere. It is hoped that the county officials will see the business wisdom of the proposition and will relieve Twenty first street of swhat is considered the most objectionable feature within the business confines of Greater Birmingham.
 In the progressive movements that have recently started here there has been en- countered some opposition which was naturally expected. In this movement. which has behind 1t men of strong deter imitation, there will also be encountered some opposition. But it Is believed that courage that has recently resulted in many betterments in this community will be found sufficient to insure the success of the movement that is to be launched to make Twenty-flrst street the commercial street it is entitled to be and also relieve the center of this city from the distress ing effects of the jail.
 It is stated that members of the board of revenue have intimated their willing ness to receive a proposal for the sale of the jail property. The men behind the movement interpreted that disposition as being more than courteous attention but more of real desire to assist the men interested in solving the situation. On that account 1t is stated that there is felt unusual hopefulness about the outcome of the latest movement to relieve the busi- ness district of the county Jail.
 It is argued by the men desiring the removal of the jail that in this day of fast motor cars the jail could be re- moved from the city somewhat like the city jail, and the prisoners for trial each day sent to the courthouse Yn rapid order Again it is argued that the county would be able to work some of the prisoners who remain idle for months If the jail was adjacent to a good acreage owned by the county By this means the men. the county and every interest connected with the proposition would be benefited.
 The contemplated offer for the purchase of the property will be formally made this week, it is said.