The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-07-29
Board of Revenue Is Faced By a Three Cornered
 Problem
MORE EXPRESSIONS
 FROM CITIZENS
John w. Caldwell Thinks Skyscraper Is Proper Solution, While B. A. Cox Thinks Jail Should Be Out
 side of Business Center

Quite decided sentiment against re- moving the county jail from its present site has developed during the past few days and the opinion has been freely ex- pressed that the county should not relin- auish any of it's present holdings. On the other hand, it is almost the unani- nous opinion that the present structure with it's unsightly walls and other ob- jectionable features should be remedied
 As is we'll known the board of revenue of Jefferson county has been ordered by Dr. w. H. Oates, state prison inspector, to build new jail and the members have expressed themselves as being in favor of making a change and in fact have practically made up their minds to do so. The question before them Is three-cor nered: First, as to whether they will inn prove and enlarge the present jail build ings; second. whether they will abandon the present site and build jail in some other section of the city third, whether they will tear down the present struc- ture and build in it's stead a modern building of eight or 10 stories, with a jail on top.
 Quite number of expressions have been made by prominent citizens in regard to this matter, the large majority favoring the retention of the present site. pro- vided that the board of revenue erects a modern building and removes the appear ance of jail There are others who insist the jail ought to be removed from the business center of the city.
 The majority of the members of the board of revenue favor the erection of a 10-story building on the present site. but have given this as their own indi- vidual opinion, each of them stating they will do what the people of the county want them to do, consistent with the best interests of the county.
 Favor Erection of Skyscraper
 Several well known citizens expressed themselves on the situation yesterday, among whom were the following:
 John w. Caldwell, broker Tn the mat ter of removing the county jail or not re- mcv wing it as the case may be- the best interests of all the people of the county should be considered rather than that of the few who are personally interested.
 Every enc will admit that the present structure is an eyesore, and l believe al-
 most every one is in favor of it's re-
 moval. But there are other things to be considered besides the mere question of it's removal and all should be given serious consideration.
 Personally, I do not think the removal of the jail to some other part of the city is practical. It can be done, of course but l am inclined to believe that the transfer of prisoners daily from one. sec
 tion of the city to another would be ob- jectional to more of our citizens than is the present so-called .carbuncle.' It might lead to very serious results as was sug-
 gested by MT. McGeever of the board of revenue.
 Tn this day of progress we must look to the future as well as to the present con- ditions. and if the jail is moved to some other location it is possible with the rapid growth of Birmingham demand would be
 made to remove it after few years The plan suggested by the majority of the board that an eight or 10-story building
 be erected on the present site with accom- modations for all the criminal depart ments with modern jail on top is, in my orinion, logical solution of the sltua- tion."
 Ought to Be Removed B. ". Cox. real estate: The county jail ought to be removed to the outskirts of the city. It has no place in the heart of the city or it's business center. Not oBly is the present building unsightly, but Nit is nuisance by reason of the noise cl eated by it's inmates and every piece of property aoJacent IS appreciated Tn value thereby. It is no argument to say that people who invested in property close to the jail were conversant with conditions they probably were, but times have changed in the quarter of a century since the erection of the jail. and with the changing conditions comes the necessity for removal of the county jail from it's present site.
 'T understand that it is not true that many of the property owners bought after | the jail was built, but that most of the property close by the jail was purchased before brick or stone was laid for the present structure. However that has lit- | tie to do with the case, the people are | almost unanimous that new Jail must | be built, Dr. Oates has given his ultima | tum in this regard and something will nave to be done. To my mind the so- | lution of the whole question Is for the board of revenue to purchase a lot suffi- ciently large to meet the growing require ments of the county at some point re- moved from the heart of the city and tO there build a modern jail.
 Separation Mistake
 l Henry J. King, Jr.: Tt would be q grave mistake in my opinion to sephrate
 the county Jail from the courthouse. It
 would mean delay in the courts and 6C~ntsnueA n I.nnt PaeeN