The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-20
CHANCE MINDS
 AS TO IMPORTANCE
 OF THE INSPECTOR
Fate of Bill Unknown, But if It Passes It Must Go Over Governor Hender- sons Veto
By l.. $. RETTN

Montgomery. July 19.--tspecini.D ] Regardless of the fate of the prison commission biII. which contempIates the consolidation of the highway, prison inspection and convict depart ments. Dr. William II. Oates, state prison inspector. will be taken cnre of by the legislature. This much has ments of leading members of both houses. Hut a more striking indication of this fnct will he revealed on We'd nesday. when an effort will be made In the house to recall from the senate the bill nbol'shing the state prison inspec- tion department.
 At the recent session of the legislature the house, by small majority passed a bill abolishing pr. Oates department, but the senate did not take action on the measure before adjournment for the split session. Therefore, the bill is now in the senate. and 1t is exceedingly doubt ful If that body will be given an oppor- tunity 10 vote on the measure, for mem- bere of the house will on the next legis- latve day ask that the bill be recalled. Change of Sentiment
 During the past four months the mem- bers of the legislature have awakened to a decided change of sentiment in regard to the usefulness of the prison inspection department and the ability of the man at the head of the department. This has been due, in large part, to the work of the Investigating committee
 pnr ,f,,it xaa vestigs ton of prison conditions in the state, personal visits having been made py the members of the committee to the mllies lumber and turpentine camps where convicts are employed. Moreover, visits were made to factories and other nsttu- tions where child labor is employed. The committee reached the conclusion that an inspector and sanitary health officer for these institutions was a most necessary adjunct of the state administration.
 Therefore the committee reported a Dill providing for the amalgamation of the prison inspection, the highway and convict departments, the purpose of the committee being to make Dr. Oates and w, s. Keller, highway engineer physi- clan inspector and engineer, respectively, on the new prison commission.
 May Defeat Bill
 But the fate of the prison commission bill is unknown. If it passes that re- suit will only be achieved over the gov ernor's veto. and administration leaders believe they have sufficient strength to defeat the measure in the senate.
 Hence. with the fate of that bill hanging in the balance the members of the legis- lature. particularly in the house. believ- ing they have done pr. Oates an injustice in seeking to abolish his department, are preparing to undo their work of last session by asking for the recall of the bill If this Is done the measure will then probably be re-referred to the committee which approved It. The bills demise will follow.
 On the other hand, should the prison commission bill pass, notwithstanding the governors opposition and veto. the prison inspection department will then auto- matically cease to exist, for its duties will be taken over by the prison commission.
 In this event Dr. Oates will In all prob ability be assigned to the new department. But no matter what happens, that official will be taken care of by the legislature