The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-07-30
Does Not Want to Exercise Power and Believes Board Will Be
 Amenable
HAS TAKEN STAND AND IS DETERMINED
 ON REMEDY AT JAIL
Can Order Removal of Prisoners at C0unty's Expense or Cite Mem- bers Into Court and Sub-
 ject Them to Fine

Dr. William H. Oates. state prison and mill inspector. in an interview last night with an Age-Herald reported, expressed the hope that the board of revenue of Jefferson county would proceed without further suggestion from him in the mat ter of constructing an adequate and sanitary jail. He made 1t plain, however that unless something was done in that direction, he would exhaust all the law which is at his command to bring about new conditions. Tn other words, the in- timation was given that his action yes- terday in transferring 20 female pris- oners to Gadsden and Centreville was but the beginning of campaign whicA un- through to the letter.
 T have no desire to be dictatorial or czar-like." said the inspector. However. after long parleying with local officials. I have taken a stand. County prison facilities here are inadequate The law gives me power to remedy conditions which are bad. I will exert that power. I trust however, and have reason to believe that the board of revenue will proceed without further action on my part. and will eventually become amen able to persuasion It is my impression that the wisest move which the mem bers of the board could make would be to construct a skyscraper with the jail on top and the courthouse on the ground floors"
 Inspectors Powerful Weapons
 Dr. Oates will return to Birmingham August 25 On his previous visit here, he made the announcement that inas- much as he had been able to accomplish nothing through patience or "watchful waiting on that date he would be pre- pared to take matters in his own hands
 There are two weapons with which the inspector might strike Tn the first place, he might order the transference of all local prisoners to jails of other cities.
 He stated last night that he could ob- tain accommodation for any number that might be incarcerated. He stated, also, that the law provides that the cost of transporting prisoners to and from near by jails must be borne by the county from which the prisoners originate.
 His other weapon is perhaps the more powerful. He could prefer charges against the members of the board on the ground that they had failed after instruction to levy tax for the purpose of build- ing new jail. The law provides that when a county jail is inadequate, the commissioners shall proceed to levy a tax of cents on each $100 worth of property for the purpose of raising a fund with which to construct a new jail . a uyh sfx, foiI f<~ do so, they may be judged guilty of a misdemeanor and subjected to a fine of $500. It is provided in this connection that in the event either of tho commits sioners votes in favor of such a tax levy and is outvoted by the majority that he will not be subject to this fine.
 Local Commission Warned
 ''I have never made use of this law said Dr. Oates, ''and the chances are that 1 never will. But it does exist and is a live letter I have already requested the members of the local board to levy such tax. Of course, should they fail to do so, they would be subject to arrest and fine. But I have no desire to play the role of czar. For some reason, believe that we will be able to accom- plish the desired end without falling out with each other. We are working for a common purpose. I have taken stand against local conditions, and will see the fight through to the end.'
 Dr. Oates will leave this morning for Gadsden where he goes under orders from the governor to investigate conditions under which the county of Etowah is working convicts on the roads. He stated last night that he knew nothing of the situation in Etowah and that he would simply carry out instructions From Gadsden he will go to Tuscaloosa where he will have an interview with Sheriff Palmer. His assistant John Adams, passed through Birmingham yesterday afternoon en route to Winston county, where he will endeavor to secure inn provements in the jail of that county.