The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-16
THE COUNTY JAIL

THE COUNTY JAIL | We have made a thorough inspection
 of the county jail, finding it as near
 a model of cleanliness and sanitation as | 1t Is possible to make such an institu- tion. In fact, officials of other coun- ties might well attempt what Warden Conrad w. Austin has so successfully l accomplished in his conduct of this jail. NORTHSIDE CITY JAIL l Our inspection of the Northside city | jail found it to be cleanly and sani- tary, and far above the average in it's appointments and conveniences, but not up to the standard set by the county jail
 JUVENILE COURT l This institution is One of the city's ! best assets. Justice tempered with mercy
 is the spirit actuating Judge Samuel D. Murphy, who presides over this court Much credit is also due his able and conscientious assistants.
 HILLMAN HOSPITAL The increasing demand for accommo- dattSns in this well kept Institution should have favorable consideration We are especially impressed with the man agerial and business-like ability of Miss Dugan, the head nurse, and commend
 
 | of Dr. E. F. Hogan, the physician in | charge, indorsing his recommendation that an adequate dormitory for nurses be provided, and that contagious ward, in an isolated building, be supplied.
 COUNTY FARM This institution was very much of a revelation to this body, inasmuch as the economies and savings to the county eff fected there, were unknown to many of ! us. We found there Q well equipped laundry, operated by prisoners of the | misdemeanor class, who do all the laun- I dry work for the Hillman hospital, the Ialmshouse, and other county institutions including the county convicts in the va
 rious road camps throughout the county ALMSHOUSE
 This institution is equally well man aged and conducted although the build lings and accommodations are insufficient, and not of a character in keeping with present progress and circumstances, which taboo frame structures and coal oil lamps. For purposes of more eco nomicaJ and efficient management of this institution, being located at Woodlawn, within the corporate limits of Birming ham, and the erection of the necessary brick structures within the confines of l the county farm property in close proxE l imity to it's executive headquarters, so | that one sewer system, one water works system, and one lighting system can be used for both institutions and the same supervision given for the safekeeping
 COUNTY ROADS The grand jury feels that the board of revenue Is making serious mis- l take in policy in it's expenditure of | county funds on road work, in that l its activities are largely centered l on the extension of old roads and 1 on the building of new roads in the l sparsely settled communities remote l from Birmingham. In this time of 1 war and stress the work of every i'm 1 diyidual has a value far above normal I and. while the services of the coun- l ty convicts should be used to the i greatest extent possible and 1t is probable, that these services can be ! used to the greatest advantage on l road work. we see no necessity at ] this time for employing free camps I on road work and diverting their la l Der to work which Is not essential and l which in fact serves very limited l number of citizens. It would seem l that when our government has found 1 it necessary to forbid the use of | freight cars for carrying road mate- l rials that this is sufficient evidence | of the need of every ounce of en- 1 deavor along different lines vital to l the SucceSSrul cOncluSlOn or the war 1 in which we are engaged. The grand l jury recommends the abolition at once of all free labor camps. the discon- l tinuation of road building in remote 1 portions of the county and, in fact, all l new road construction and the cen | tering of the work of the convict l camps on the trunk line roads and I on the maintenance of heavily used l highways which are necessary for the l maintenance of Birmingham's indus l trial work and Birmingham is one l of the important basic war products production points of the United States today.
 PESTHOUSE
 1 We are glad to report that this neces- sary adjunct, which is located in close
 proximity to the county farm, has no | inmates at this time, We recommend the discharge of the doctor in charge of this place and the doctor at the farm give
 what care Is necessary, which will save 1 S120O a year to the county
 TUBERCULOSIS SANITARIUM | This institution, located on Red noun
 tain. and under the direct supervision
 (Conti.uea q Pass Nine,