The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-06-22
High Praise Given Solicitor Hugo l.. Black and His
 Corps of Assistants
URGES PAYMENT OF
 WITNESSES IN CASH
Twenty-seyen True Bills Returned But None Are Made Public Pend ing Arrests-County Is More Law-Abfding Now Thans
 Formerly

Among the features of the final re- port of the grand jury for the April term made yesterday before Judge Harrington P Heflin was an indorse- ment of the present system of work ing the county convicts on the pub lie roads. commendations of county in- stitutions, high praise for the solicitor and his corps of assistants, opposition to reducing the number of judges of the county courts and a number of recommendations. The grand jury also states that public sentiment toward the criminal element is changed and that Jefferson county is more law abiding and law enforcing common wealth and that there is less open gambling than at any other time in the history of the city. The grand jury also recommended the payment of wit nesses in cash.
 Attention is called to the fact that although the grand jury was in ac- tual session only 16 days. which Is 25 days less than the former April grand jury. it kept up with the docket and with the returning of 27 indict- ments yesterday there was not one case left over. The report was made at 12:S0 yes terday and read by Chief Deputy Clerk Ed Copeland. At the conclusion of the reading Judge Heflin thanked the grand jurors for their efficient work. He stated that he heartily concurred in the recommendations that witnesses be paid in cash for their attendance on court and that he was convinced that If it was done speedier trials would result, besides the justice of paying those who had often to attend court at a personal financial sacrifice. He expressed pleas ure at the commentators bestowed by the grand jury on Solicitor Hugo L.. Black and his assistants and suggested that Circuit Solicitor Joseph R. Tate should be included, as he had done most excellent work in the courts. The state ment was made that MT Tate was in- cluded in the indorsement.
 The-grand jury returned 27 indict- ments at the time of making the report. but none were made public. It is un- derstood there are number of very important true bills in the number re- turned. which will be made public as soon arrests are effected The jury was in session 16 days investigated S33 cases. returned 25S true bills and 100 no-bills. No cases passed to next grand jury.
 Report for April Term
 The report follows:
 ITO the Honorable William k. Fort Judge
 of the Criminal Court of Jefferson Coun-
 ty Alabama:
 We, the grand jury empaneled for the criminal court of Jefferson county for the April. 1915, term. beg to submit the following report-
 We have been in session Is days; have invested 333 cases: have examined 1880 witnesses; have found 25S true bills, and returned no-bills in 100 cases; have con- tinued no cases to the next grand jury
 Buildings and Institutions
 We have visited the county jail aims house, Hillman hospital. and examined the courthouse.
 County Jail-The jail Is well kept, con sldering ancient construction of same We hope that a new Jail will be provided for the county at the earliest possible moment
 "Almshouse-The almshouse is situated in a beautiful spot. ana IS well adapted to the class of people who are compelled tc go there. There is plenty of shade. plenty of vegetables and buttermillS. The buildings are we'll kept, considering the
 
 ever. that the screens be put in fyproof condition. as there is a number of con- tigious diseased patients there. which makes it very dangerous to have flies circulating through the different build- ings.
 'Hillman Hospital-.ft was with much pleasure that we inspected this hospital, as we came in contact with a very pro- ficient man in charge. pr. E. P. Hogan. and number of his staff employees. The hospital. in our judgment. will compare with any pay hospital in the south, and the people of Jefferson county should be very proud of it. The educational fea- ture of this hospital Is a valuable as- set to the citizenship of this community, and should be so recognized by all. We would recommend that an addition be made to the nurses home in order that all the nurses that are employed could room there instead of using the hospital wards. the hospital Is full and running over all the time. and by having this ad- dftional room they could take care of about 20 more patients.
 County COurthouse-We recommend that the proper authorities get more ef-
 ACeatinuea sn Pass TsnI