The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-07
GRAND JURY URGED | ID TAKE STAND ON CONVICT QUESTION Judge Fort Delivers Impress sive Oral Charge Cover
 ing Wide Field
NO COUNTY OFFICERS
 MAY PURCHASE SCRIP
Indictments Must Follow if Such Is Found to Be the Case-Should Look Into Violations of the
 Prohibition Law

That the grand jury should take a definite stand regarding compulsory education and the humanitarian treat legislature were the outstanding fea- lures of the charge of William E. Fort, senior judge of the criminal court yes- terday morning at the opening of the September judicial session
 The September grand jury as organ ized yesterday by Judge Fort follows:
 Otto Mooney. precinct S7, Traders Ma tlonal bank, foreman
 George Wilson, precinct ', rental man.
 Thomas M. White. precinct IT, ma chinist
 Frank E. Turpin. precinct s7, man. ager.
 Wilfred w. Turner, precinct 21, col lector
 Henry w. Graham. Jr.. precinct s4. clerk.
 Andrew Smith, precinct 30 fire boss.
 Otis L. Helm, precinct S4, salesman.
 Walter Byars. precinct 50, motor- man.
 Fred G. Kelly, precinct 45, chemist
 John M. Bibb. precinct 34. bridge in spector.
 Joseph Franklin. precinct 27, farmer.
 William M. Doyle. precinct 3S, city night warden.
 George w. Foust. precinct s3, black smith.
 Frank H. Duke. precinct S4. car re- pairer.
 James K. Thames, precinct s7. lum- Der dealer.
 James w. Howard. precinct 2s, auto dealer.
 William P Bynum, precinct 29, min- ing contractor
 Bailiff. w. H. Batson
 Stenographer, M s. Allen.
 Delivers Oral Charge
 The organization of the grand jury was completed about II o'clock and immediately thereafter Judge Fort be- gan his charge. It was spoken in a calm, conversational tone. yet the words of the jurist penetrated to ev- cry corner of the spacious courtroom It was an oral charge and covered in every point the field of inquiry to be followed by the inquisitorial body.
 Judge Fort called attention to the law of the state of Alabama and re- ferred to several special charges in a brief manner. He also told the grand jury that it must jndict all officials oi the Imperial county of Jefferson who have purchased directly or indi- rectly county warrants or what is pop ularly known scrip It Is against the law for county officials to pur- chase scrip and Judge Fort was em- phatic in his instructions that the deal ,igs in scrip be thoroughly investi gated and indictments returned if col . fusion on the part of county officers is found in the buying of county war rants. This part of Judge Forts charge was particularly impressive and caused much speculative comment in the corridors of the courthouse. Judge Fort stated that since the ad- vent Of prohibition law breaking had decrea sed in Jefferson county but that conditions were still far from being Ideal. He urged upon the grand jury to thoroughly probe all violations of the prohibition laws as the public sen timent at this time demanded the en- forcement of all laws. Mention was also made of gambling which still existed in a minor degree. according to Judge Fort. and which the grand jury should aid in stamping out.
 Opposes COnvicts in Mines
 In his references to the convict lease system Judge Fort impressed the grand jury that 1t must take a definite stand on this question as the matter was now before the legislature and at- .ractinR attention. Judge Fort de- nounced the working of convicts in the mines as inhuman and urged that they should be put on the public roads. Judge Fort was equally emphatic ir regard to compulsory education of chi1 dren.
 In referring to misdemeanors Judge Fort informed the grand jury that 1t must indict automobile speeders as this dangerous practice of reckless drivers must be broken up.
 Judge Fort informed the grand jury that Solicitor Hugo L. Black would at tend it's sessions and inform the mem bers on all points of law.
 The organization of the jury was completed in short time and after selecting the grand jury. 46 jurors were placed for the petit juries of the week and after the dockets had been set for cases to be tried today the court adjourned
 In the second division of the crimina al court Judge Harrington P. Heflin held a very busy session during the morn ing in which several minor cases were tried and forfeitures on other cases were taken when the accused failed to answer to their names. Judge Heflin adjourned court at 12:30 o'clock after setting for trial a number of cases for today