The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-25

Jefferson county is to have new jail and the .'carbunkle" that has been the subject of much controversy during the past few months is to be removed.
 By vote of three to two the board of revenue yesterday decided to build a new jail on the rear of the site now oc- oupied by the county and to convert the front part of the lot into grass covered lawn on which at sometime in the near future a courthouse on the skyscraper plan can be erected. The new building is to be financed by county warrants.
 The question of building a new jail was taken up yesterday morning. all members of the board being present. Architect Harry wheelock submitted several plans, one for the enlargement of the present jail buildings, one for the erection of a modern jail on the outskirts of the city and one for the erection of a 12-story building on the rear of the lot now oc- cupied by the county jail.
 Steel and Concrete Structure
 The latter plans call for a steel and concrete structure of 12 stories. fire proof and of modern design, the upper stories to be devoted to jail purposes and the other stories to the criminal depart ment of the county. It also provides for a basement in which will be located an up-to-date light and heating plant. which will be designed not only to furnish the new jail with light and heat but the old this plant will be of great saving to the county in light and heat bills.
 The new jail will be located on the site now occupied by the ''big rock jail and will front 90 feet on Third avenue and extend back 93 feet The front part of the lot will be cleared of the present buildings and will be turned into a lawn. The new building will be on the unit plan so that if the county in the future decides to build a courthouse and jail combined an addition can be made to the new building that will be easy of construc- ton and that will conform to the archi- lecture of the building to be erected
 The matter of building the county jail has been before the board of revenue for many months. Dr. W. H. Oates, state prison inspector. has repeatedly and insistently condemned the present county jail as being unfit for human habitaton and has insisted that new jail be built. From time to time the mat ter has been deferred for various causes until the prison inspector took action by removing a number of prisoners confined in the county jail to other prisons.
 The present members of the board of revenue have been unanimous in the proposition to build new jail. They have given the matter much considera- tion and have endeavored to carry out all the requirements of tine state inspec- tor in reference to the care of the pris- oners confined in the county jail and have had the cooperation of Sheriff McAdory in this regard.
 Working on Plans for Months
 But notwithstanding the improvements that have been made from time to time In the jail, it has been apparent to the board that the present structure was out of date and unsuited for the needs of a great county like Jefferson and for months they have been working on the plans to build new jail.
 Every member of the board has issued formal statements of his position in this matter. pr. R. F. Lovelady, president of the board, has been outspoken as fa- voring a building of sufficient heighth and size to serve for a courthouse and jail combined, and that it should be erected on the front. He suggested that a bond issue election be called. Rufe Bivins de- clared himself in favor of the same plan and favored a bond issue for this purpose Two bond issue elections have been held in the county, having this plan In view, and while the first election was only de- feated by some 300 votes the last one was showed under.
 Major Cameron favored the removal of the jail from it's present site and con tended that the county should erect a building at some point removed from the busiess center of the city. He stood alone on this proposition, however. and when he came to vote cast his ballot in favor of the plan to build on the rear of the present lot.
 Lawrence Pennington first advanced the idea of unit building for Jail purposes on the rear of the present lot and stated his position in an interview given sev- eral weeks ago. He contended that a structure should be erected on the rear of the present lot. suitable for the jail and criminal department of the county.