The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-03-10
PRACTICAL USE FOR
SOUTHS|DE JAIL IS
SUGGESTED BY CITY
Building to Be Converted
Into Home for Alabama
Girls Training School
LEADING CITIZEN S
INDORSE PROPOSITION
Campaign to Be Started to Raise
Funds to Properly Equip
Much Needed Home
for Girl Wards

The CITY commissioners of Birmingham
are heartily in favor OF the Aiaodlaa
Girls Training school moving their quar-
ters to the location formerly known as
the Southside jail, where plant that
represents approximately an outlay OF
$4,000, is placed at the disposal of the
board of control of the training school,
until the war is over at the very outside,
and possibly permanently.
Many Of Birmingham's most prominent
citizens, men and women, realizing that
something must be done for the girls
now, there being approximately 81 housed
in a seven-room house at East Lake, got
their heads together and decided to ask
the city commissioners for the use of
the new Jail, which has been empty for
several months, and the city fathers i'm
mediately granted their request. The idea
has met favor everywhere, and it seems
to be the consensus of opinion that this
is the logical thing to do. ]. Mercer
Barnett, president of the Kiwanis club,
is the father of the idea, and it is re-
ceiying general commentator over the
city
OFF Eli fhOt lDElN lAL
81 consider it the most practical solu-
tion of the present emergency that has
been presented" said Mrs. ]. III. Mccoy,
who yesterday personally investigated the
building and grounds. THE offer which
gives an opportunity to relieve the pres
ent deplorable situation, is almost provi-
dential.'
DR.. George R. Stuart was asked for
his opinion upon the offer of the city,
and he said: II think very favorably of
it. There are several reasons why !
think the building would be suitable the
main reasons being because the interior
could be eaesily arranged to meet the
needs and purposes of the school, and in
fact the entire building could be made
most adaptable There is enough ground
| to make a campus that would be ade-
quate."
| b. f. Moore thinks we'll of the propo-
sition. ut is a desirable proposition, and
I 1 am heartily in favor of it. for the
present, anyway. 1t will relieve the
emergency, as nothing else can be done
/ at present"
| A. c. Crowder, president of the Cham
Der of Commerce, said: II think it is
an ideal arrangement, capital idea.
don't think that the location could be
beaten. 1t is sanitary, has splendid
heating system, the building is we'll ven
tilated and in every way will answer the
purpose of the training school,"
| MAKE IDEAL PLACE
| Commissioner of Public Utilities ]. Ellis
| Brown was asked what he thought OF
| the idea and was very enthusiastic about
4 the matter. 81 am very enthusiastic
over the proposition" he said, and
! think it is the best thing we can do with
the building at this time. 1t will in
my opinion, make an ideal place for the
| training school,"
| Numerous other prominent citizens
voiced their approval of the location OF
| the school at this site, and 1T is stated
| that there could be made of the building
! by expending only few thousand dol
lars, a magnificent home for the young
women and girls who are sent to the
| training school,
Every effort will be made to bring
| about the contamination of the proffei
| of the city, and it is highly probable thai
the girls will soon be installed In theii
new home, with comforts and conven'
| fences they have never known before
A campaign will be staged Immediately
to raise funds for the school, and it Is
| believed that Birmingham will respone
readily, in view Of the fact that TIT
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