The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-12
Document Sets Record for Brevity and Lack of
 the Sensational
2S9 TRUE BILLS; 102
 NO BILLS RETURNED
Work of Convicts on County Roads Prasied-Recommen That More Food of Better Quality Be Given
 Prisoners in the County Jail

The September grand jury made it's final report to Judge w. T.. Fort of the criminal court yesterday afternoon. which dealt entirely with the condi- tion of the various county institu- tions conduct of officials and working of convicts. Otto Mooney was fore man.
 The jury was in session 21 days, fin which time it visited all of the county institutions, investigated 391 cases and indorsed convicts on the county roads. A total of 1511 witnesses were exam ined, of which over 400 went before the jury during the past week.
 The jury returned 2S9 true bills and returned no bills in 102 cases. It left seven cases over to the next grand jury, not being able to fully in vestl- gate them in the limited time avail able.
 The almshouse and HillSnan hospital were found to be in as good condition while the county jail was also reported as in a good condition as the nature of theetaoishrdlununu mitted. The jury, however, criticized 'iC iooo thib thC "SiC ShNVA' No meal is given from noon until the next morning. The jury recommended that better quality and quantity be of fered
 PRAISES BOARD OF REVENUE
 The board of revenue was praised for the work being done by the con victs on the roads. The body reported that the roads are in better condition than ever before. The books of the county officers were not examined, owing to the absence of accountants.
 After the jury had made it's report, Judge Fort made short talk in which he thanked the jurors for their serv- vices and commended them for the in- terest they had taken, He pointed out however, that the conditions of the county jail were fast being altered and that in a short time he expected the jail to be in fine shape.
 He also stated that criminal condi- tions in the county were much better than two years ago. He attributed it to the banishment of the professional gamblers, who have been scattered to the four winds of the earth.'
 Judge Fort also took the occasion to praise Sheriff Batson for the in creasing efficiency of the office ant the jail.
 The time has passed,' said Judge Fort, when the sheriffs office occu- pies it's time in running down honest men who occasionally gamble. I'm glac to see it and I think this is one req son that the court conditions are i'm proving wonderfully. There is no ne cessitwy for arrests of this sort anc the impression that the sheriff is mak- ing in regard to fewer arrests is a very good one.'
 Judge Fort closed his remarks by again thanking the jurors for theil service to the county and the jury was dismissed.
 REPORT IN FULL
 The brief report follows in full: ITO Hon. w F. Fort, Judge of Crimina
 Court:
 We, the grand jury empaneled for 2 criminal court of Jefferson county for the September, 1915 term beg to submit the following report:
 ''We have been in session 21 days; have investigated 39i cases; examined 1511 wit nesses; found 2S9 true bills; returned nc bills in 1o2 cases, and have continued seven cases to the next grand jury.
 We have visited the jail, almshouse Hi,lman hospital, several convict camp: and have inspected some of the county roads.
 "The jail we consider to be well kep and in reasonably good condition in con sideration of the fact that the structure is not at all modern. The quality ant quantity of the food might be subject tt some criticism. In view of the fact tha the prisoners get no food from noon unti the next morning, it woudl appear iron an humanitarian standpoint that the moor meal should be improved in quality, a: there seems to be a pretty general com plaint, especially among the colored pris cners, that the food is not properly pre- rared. Our judgment, based on rather limited investigation, would bear out thi. complaint.
 "The alrshouse was found to be in very good condition, considering the fact tha the building is not modern. The inmate: appeared to be satisfied and were wei housed and well fed
 "The T1illman hospital is well equipped and efficiently managed by competen head nurse, and as a whole is in very satsfa ctory condition.
 While it has been the custom of for irer grand juries to report on the condi tion of the books in the various count, offices we have not done this, as thu grand jury was not provided with ac coJnrants to make an examination of tn books and without this assistance w ing We do not desire to cast any asper sion on any officer by this report bu simply wish it understood that the grand jury would not care to stand sponsor fo the books that they have not examined.
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