The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-01-04
k|LBY DENOUNCES BILL IF SHER|FFs FUR FEE SYSTEM
Ringing Denunciation by Gov- ernor Attacking Legislation as Inhuman and Unjust
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 amount permitted by law, the profit going to themselves. It is noto- rious fact that many sheriffs made huge profits from the feeding of prisoners and that in many instances prisoners were unable to obtain suf- ficient food to relieve their hunger.
 Profits Prohibited
 "The legislature of 1919 enacted a law giving the prison inspection de- partment the right to supervise the feeding of prisoners and requiring the sheriffs to expend the full amount allowed by law for food. This law was invalid because of cer tain errors The legislature of 1920 enacted another law, which is now on the statute books. This law pro- vides the same amount for the feed ing of prisoners, but requires the sheriffs to expend every penny in feeding prisoners and does not per init them to make a profit from feed bills. A sheriff is required to submit to the prison inspection department statements showing the cost of the food which has been used during each month. When these statements have been filed and all requirements of the prison inspection department have been met, the sheriff is per mitted to collect. in addition to the actual amount paid for food, fee covering his services in preparing and serving the food This lee IS regulated by the number of prison CTS. Where the number. Is under 20, 10 cents is paid for each prisoner; for the number above 20 and under 40 71s cents each is paid; where the number is above 40 and under 50, 5 cents each is paid; where the number is above 50, no additional compensa- ton is allowed.
 Since the state still allows the same amount of food and provides additional compensation to the sher- ifs for their services in preparing the food one is forced to- ask why the sheriffs gather in conference now and propose a return to the old sys- tenn.
 Here is the answer: The men who participated in this conference in Montgomery want the old law be- cause it will mean additional reve- nue to them. It may be proper for public officials to seek to increase their emolument but I do not be- lieve the people Of Alabama or their representatives who will gather in nuadrennial session next Tuesday will stand for the return of a system which meant fat purses for the sheriffs and empty stomachs for their prisoners.
 Knew Law as Candidates
 '"The men who will become sheriffs January Is cannot furnish an argu- ment in support of, their proposal. When they were candidates for their position in 1922 they knew the law. They knew they would be required to expend the states funds for food. They knew the feeding of prisoners would mean no profit to them other than the fees especially provided by law. A great majority Of them are connected with the sheriffs offices now and understand the law.
 If the feeding law is repealed prisoners will be at the mercy of the law. In many counties there will be a return to the plan of giving only two meals day and corn bread and syrup will become the daily I menu. There will be no authority who can tell the sheriffs that they are starving those who are supposed to receive their protection. those who cannot raise their voices in oppo- sition because their voices cannot go beyond the confines of the prison which holds them.
 Tt would be sad day for this state if the legislature abandoned & system which protects the lives and health of the prisoners and con- serves the funds of the state.
 At this time the state is with holding about $3o,000 claimed to be due by sheriffs for feeding prisoners because the sheriffs failed to com- ply with the law requiring them to furnish proof that the money which they claimed to be due was actually used in the purchase of food for prisoners. Under the old system this money would have been paid tG the