The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-07-01
GRAND JURY HAS NO CENSURE FOR COUNTY TREASURER IN HANDLING FUNDS County Institutions Are Re- ported in Good Condition
 and Well Kept MORE HELP THAN IS NEEDED FOR COUNTY DEPARTMENTS STATED Dr. F. E. Harrington Com- mended for His Work and
 Financial Assistance
 Recommended

1
 The June grand jury filed it's report yes- ! terday, which was short and without
 sensation during the session of the jury
 Four hundred and fifty-nine witnesses
 were examined, n true bills were re-
 turned, nine no bills found, one case left
 over.
 1 Favorable reports as to the condition
 of the various county institutions were
 given, but several changes at the Hill
 man hospital were recommended. It was ] also recommended that the salary of the
 superintendent, pr. E. P. Hogan, be
 raised. The condition of the jail, the
 almshouse, the county farm and the con vict camp was reported very good. | In regard to the dispute as to whether
 the county funds are drawing interest
 that is not being paid, the jury reported
 that no cause for censure had been found
 against either County Treasurer Henry
 or any bank.
 | The jury also recommended that the l board of revenue give all the assistance possible under the law to the health
 department and compliniented Dr. Har-
 rington on the work done by him dur
 ing his tenure of office. It was stated | that several thousand dollars might be saved for the county each year by not
 summoning so many witnesses and by
 doing away with unnecessary help in | several departments. In closing the jury | extended it's thanks to Solicitor Hug Black, Judge Fort and MT. Lindsey, the 1 court stenographer, for the courtesy and attention they had shown. l The report follows:
 | ITO the Honorable William D. Fort l Judge of the Circuit Court, Tenth Judi cial Circuit Criminal Division: we, the grand jury, impaneled for the circuit court of Jefferson county for the June 1917, term, beg to submit the fol- lowing report:
 "We have been in session nine days, hearing and taking testimony; we have | examined 459 witnesses, returned II true 1 bills and nine no bills, and have passed one case to our successors on account of ] absent witnesses who could not be ob- | tainea.
 JEFFERSON COUNTY JAIL The grand jury visited the county jail
 and wishes to report as follows: After thorough inspection we find that the jail is in a sanitary condition throughout. The prisoners are well kept and well fed and no complaints were made to the grand jury by any of the inmates We would especially commend Sheriff Batson and Warden Connie Austin for the great improvement shown and conditions in general
 HILLMAN HOSPITAL "The grand jury visited the Hillman hospital and was taken in charge by Dr E. P. Hogan, superintendent. We were shown throughout the entire hospital by | him. We beg to report that we found everything in good condition and no com plaints were made by any of the patients.
 RECOMMENDATIONS We recommend to the board of reve-
 nue that additional quarters for nurses
 and doctors as we'll as more room for pa tients be provided for, as we are told that patients are turned away daily for the want of room.
 I've further recommend that freight elevator be provided, also night watch
 maA, to care for the property and in-
 mates.
 Tt Is our opinion that the salary of Dr. E. P. Hogan, the superintendent, should be raised, as in our Judgment he is not being paid sufficient for his work, and respectfully call the attention of the board of revenue to same.
 ALMSHOUSE 1 I've visited and Inspected almshouse l and found everything in good condition and we'll kept. The inmates are well cared for and satisfied. COUNTY FARM
 I've find the county farm is being looked after carefully and we'll managed.
 CONVICT FARM "We visited the convict camp at Ke- tona and found everything well kept and in good condition. The prisoners are well cared for and contented.
 "The evidence brought to our attention in reference to the county treasurer re- ceiving interest on deposit of county fund was not such that we could in any way bring censure upon Treasurer Henry, or any bank in Birmingham. Our attention having been called to the fact that in several departments at the courthouse that more help is being used. than is necessary from standpoint of economy, that this matter be given the immediate attention of the board of rev. enue, consistent with efficient service.
 "The grand jury does further recom- mend that the unnecessary expense to the county by reason of large number of witnesses being summoned. whom. upon examination are found to know nothing of the cases in question, should be stopped as in our opinion the county lis paying out several thousand dollars each year without receiving any benefit whatsoever.
 ''We wish to commend the work that is being done by Dr. F. E. Harrington and recommend that the board of revenue give him all the financial assistance pos- slble under the law.
 Tn closing our report we wish to thank our county solicitor, MT. Hugo Black, for his efficient attention and assistance given us in disposing of the work brought before the grand jury. ''We also wish to thank your honor and Mr. Lindsey. the stenographer furnished us, for the consideration shown us in our efforts to carry out the ends of justice. Respectfully submitted. 'J. G. WHITFIELD, Foreman Grand jury, June Term 1917." Card of Thanks Mrs. Adelia Draper and Miss Lula