The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-12
Is Devoid of Sensations, But Number of Suggestions
 Are Made
TOTAL OF 6O6 TRUE
 BILLS RETURNED
Grand Jury Recommends Special De- tective for Solicitor, Special Agents to Cheek Up County Officials and
 Payment of Witnesses in Cash

| AtBctt OA tht 6AdAid Jhig Aol tiit OtpltIl- Der term which was made yesterday to Judge W. F. Fort of the criminal court. Statements were made that at no time was anything sensational contemplated, one grand juror stating that the grand jury had too much business on hand to in- dulge in undertaking" The report is concise and business-like, and a number of suggestions that have presented them selves during the investigations are made The payment of witnesses in cash, a spe- cial detective for the county solicitor, the reduction of the days which a grand jury is required to serve and special agents the suggestions made.
 The practice of lawyers employing run ners to obtain cases is deplored, and some | of the justices of the peace of the county came in for the usual roast better sys- tenn of bookkeeping showing the cost of the convict system and the amount of work done was recommended to the board | or revenue, which was also asked to have the votes of the members on various | questions that come before them recorded. The grand jury suggests that the board
 
 out first obtaining bids or an estimate from the county engineer. Twenty-Five in- | dictments were returned yesterday | Judge Fort in receiving the final report of the grand jurors paid them a high | compliment for the faithful manner in which they had performed their arduous 1 duties. He stated that jury duty was | among the highest services that a citizen could render his state and county. and that While their service was long and trying they had the satisfaction of know ing that it was duty well performed
 The grand jury were empanelled~ Sep tember and was in session 65 days hay ing taken recess during the term.
 The report follows:
 ITO the Hon. William E. Fort. judge of the criminal court of Jefferson county, l Alabama:
 l we, the grand jury empaneled for the I criminal court of Jefferson county foI the September, 1914, term, beg to submit the following report:
 We have been in session 65 days: have investigated 631 cases; examined 2345 wit. nesses; found 606 true bills; returned nc bills in 159 cases and have continued s cases to the next grand jury.
 Buildings and Institutions
 We have visited the jail, almshouse l Hillman hospital and several of the con. vict camps
 | The jail we consider to be as clean and well kept as possible in view of the crowd. l ed condition, and the class of inmates The quality and quantity of the food ap. pear to be good, and several of the pris oners expressed that it was satisfactoril, prepared. Ventilation is bad, especially ir the basement few new mattresses are needed. which we are advised have beer ordered.
 "The almshouse appears to be eff ciently managed, but the buildings are improperly screened and too many flies find entrance. All the windows should be fully screened both top and bot tom sash. The insane ward is unsuit. able and should be replaced l The thing most needed is d safe heating system. Several buildings are provided with open grates and con. sdering the mental and physical in. firmities of the patients this seems t, us very dangerous. Brick buildings should replace all those now used. a, soon as practicable.
 "The Hillman hospital is vel equipped, efficiently managed and hai capacity for several more patients thar are there at present. There is urgent need of separate building for con. tagfous disease and this should be pro. vided
 County Officers
 We have examined the books of the | probate judge and find them kept ir clean and business-like manner Th, bonds of the county officials appear to be adequate
 I've have also looked at the sher ifs feed book. the books of the coun. ty superintendent of education, tn, treasurer and the board of revenue The treasurer's books show cash ir bank November 20. 1914. as follows
 "Ten-cent road fund. $341S.35; bridge. and public buildings fund, $36, S06 25 sewer fund, $79,S73.16; special fund $62719; bridge fund. $1077.25; fine ant forfeiture fund, s2974.s7; overplus fund $4s21S6; redemption fund, $520.0s: spe cial witness fund. $6034.7O; B roat ; fund, $375S.96; general fund, s12O.. 30729; total. $259,720.o1. County COnvicts "The camps are we'll located ant , seem to be comfortable The prisoner. ! appear to be in good condition ant | several who were asked said they hat no complaint to make. The food ap. pears to be good in quality. A few olt mattresses should be replaced Tn, live stock is all in very good condi. 1 tion.
 Champerty
 | "The unlawful practice of many at torneys in employing runners to ob tain cases is burdening our courts witt many trivial and unjust cases, the cos Of which to the taxpayers and the cor porations sustaining the district is hart to estimate. We regard the custom al reprehensible and the statutes govern ing it should either be enforced or re pealed.
 Justices of the Peace
 Many of the officials have not sub mitted their dockets to the grand jury as they are by law required to do. Il few instances we found that thei jurisdiction was exceeded but we at tribute this to ignorance. So much com plaint has come to us from beats and S3 that We recommend this offic in these beats be abolished and an in ferior court of Bessemer created 10 ex ercise jurisdiction in that territory. W cansider George Vanderver. notar public and justice of the peace at Palo, Ala, incompetent to perform the dutie required of him and recommend tha he be removed from office.
 Board of Revenue
 We have attempted to obtain figure