The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-07-15
SHERIFF, UNPAID FOR MANY MONTHS,
 PRAISED IN REPORT
State Examiners in Report Submitted to Governor Point Out Loyalty in Per-
 forming Duty


 Although Sheriff J. c. Hartsfield has not received a penny of his : salary in more than seven months, he is highly commended for the loyal and diligent manner in which he is performing the duties of his office in a report submitted to Gov. Thomas E. Kilby, after an examination of the sheriff's office by L. A. Easterly and R. L. Avery. assistant examiner of accounts.
 The report covers the sheriffs of flee since Sheriff Hartsfield took office, January 20, 1919, to April 30, 1922. It Is of special importance, be- cause of recent supreme court de- cision that Sheriff Hartsfield cannot draw his salary until the receipts of his office exceed expenditures. Und er this decision. he has received no pay since January l.
 MT. Hartsfield," the report reads. Ifs not now drawing any salary as sheriff of the county, but notwith- standing the fact, that he is re- ceiving no salary for his services. is attending to his duties with loyal ty and diligence and deYoting his energies to have the laws of the state executed.
 In explanation of the sheriffs salary dilemma, the report reads further: We wish to suggest that at the time MT. Hartsfield assumed the duties of the office, the World war had Just closed and the salaries demanded and secured by efficient men to serve as deputies. had in- creased. making the expenditures necessary very much greater than that paid in any previous adminis- tration of the affairs of the office and we believe that thls condition was largely responsible for the fn- crease to conduct the office.
 "We offer In further comment, that the complaint that the fee sys- tenn was used by grasping. officers to oppress the weak and the help less, no longer exists in Jefferson county, and the people who were to benefit hv the change are no long ar in danger of this oppression, but we do not believe that the sheriff should bear the entire burden, while his deputies can be paid for their services, and some means for his re- lief should be found whereby his salary may be paid him.
 The financial report of the sheriff's office, as submitted to Gov ernor Kilby, shows that $342070.5S has been expended during his term of office, including s12.000 for automo- piles. The fees earned by the office are $349, ,503.49, leaving a balance of $7,432.S1 in the sheriff's favor. This does not include credit for the auto mobiles, which the examiners claim should have been deducted from the sheriffs expenditure, as they belong to the county. Were this done, he would have 8 balance of more than $19.000 to his credit.
 The examiners report that thev examined the Jail register, execution docket and accounts for feeding prisoners and found all were correct ly kept and filed.
 The report notes that $233.2S has been charged by the state auditor to the sheriff for the expenses of rA- moving prisoners. Ordinarily such bills are paid by the state auditor but 1t is pointed out that four prisoners had been returned :o Jefferson county from other states without having first secured a requi- sition from the governor, and that consequently, this amount has beea charged to the sheriff