Los Angeles Daily Herald

Those of Mr. A. M. Edelman to be Used,

PLANS DESCRIBED IN DETAIL.

A Solid Structure of Stone and Brick With Cells, Officers' Apartments, Etc., Etc.

As reported previously, the Board of Supervisors having decided that the jail plans of Mr. John Hall must be rejected, that body yesterday adopted those of Mr. A. M. Edelman. It will be remembered that two members of the Board at the previous time cast their votes for Mr. Edelman's plans, Mr. Hall's being adopted by only one majority.

The site for the jail is not to be disturbed, the building to go on the south side of the court house lot, with its rear entrance close to Fort street, and the front elevation towards New High street, but quite far back from that thoroughfare. The side elevation to the south is plain, and that towards the north, and opening onto the new court house, when it is built, has a nice entrance.

The style is modern Gothic, very solidly to be built of brick with granite facings. The striking feature in the outward appearance of the structure is its severe plainness and solidity. It "looks a jail" all over. Still, it will make a fine appearance on the hill, and when flanking a fine court house the tout ensemble will be something for the county to point to with pardonable pride.

The building will be two stories and basement. The width is 48 feet and the entire length 112 feet. The height of the New High street front from the ground to the top of the finial on the buttress, will be 48 feet. This facade is approached by a flight of stone steps leading up to the main entrance in the center of the elevation. This is covered by an ornamental Gothic hood over the door, and a pair of graceful buttresses guard the entrance, finishing in a pair of finials above the apex of the roof. The corners of this elevation are also flanked with similar buttresses. There are in this face four Gothic windows, heavily mullioned, besides two small ones in the basement. The general effect is good, while in detail the finish is very pleasing.

THE MAIN FLOOR

Is all of 14 feet ceilings. The first door leads into a hall 10x14 feet. To the south of this is the Jailor's office, 14x16 feet, and to the right his private parlor, the same size. From this entrance hall a door leads into the main staircase hall, the same width. Off this on one side is a cell for condemned criminals awaiting the execution of their sentence, 13-8x14 feet. Opposite this is the office of the attending physician of the jail, 10x14 feet. There are double doors between these halls, one of them being made of iron bars.

Behind the main staircase a door opens to what is known as the visitors' corridor, 18-6x44 feet. The floor to this is of concrete, placed on iron girders. Off this corridor are two cells, 6x9 feet each, also a consultation cell 8x8, a "trusty's" room 8x8 with bathroom connections, and finally the "crazy cell" 8x14 feet. This corridor has a side entrance to the north which will connect with the new court house when built.

THE WING WITH THE CELLS

In it connects with this corridor by a pair of iron stairs, one leading up 4-6 feet above the level of the corridor and the other as much below it. In the upper tier are 14 cells 6x9 and 9x9 feet each. The larger ones are called hospital cells. In the lower tier are 12 cells, 7x9 and 9x9 feet each. These cells are to be either steel or iron cages and the floors are to be of iron also. They will all be opened and closed by a patent lever operating on the whole system together. Each cell will also have a Yale lock. They will be lighted by grated windows in the rear of each, and the whole system will be five feet in from the outer walls of the prison all round. The floors will be some eight feet above or below the outer windows. From the visitor's corridor the whole system will be visible all round, the guard being able to survey both tiers along their entrances and between the cells and the wall of the prison at a glance. The cells will be separated from the corridor by iron railings.

THE KITCHEN

Lies in the basement and connects with the lower tier of cells by a staircase of iron. It is 17-10x43 feet, supplied with ranges, sinks, boilers, coal bunks, wood houses, laundry and storerooms, all complete. In this basement are also two dungeons, 7x13-6 feet each, for obstreperous prisoners.

THE SECOND STORY IS REACHED

By an iron staircage in the main hall. The landing is into a hall 10x24 feet. Along the east front of the building are the chambers and dining-room of the jailor, of ample size and supplied with private bathrooms, large closets, kitchen, etc. A private staircase leads to the lower floor and thence into the yard on the north side of the prison. The south side of the hall in the second story is aligned with three cells for female prisoners with bath room and other conveniences attached. Back of this hall is a visitors corridor, in all respects similar to that below, and situated directly above it. Around this are four cells for the confinement of a certain class of persons under duress but who it is considered best not to put with the worst class of criminals.

OVER THE WING

And back of this corridor is a large room 48x50 feet, intended to be used as convenience at present, and ultimately may be converted into cells for 48 additional prisoners as they may be needed.

The estimated cost is $48,000. The limit of the Board is $50,000. The Board has adjourned until a week from next Monday, at which time Mr. Edelman will present detailed drawings of the work, upon which bids are to be based. It will be along into April before the contracts can be signed. Meantime Mr. Phillips, as the Herald has forewarned the board he would do, will raise the rent of the old jail to $1000 a month, so as to force the Board to let him have his property which he wishes to improve. If it were a private matter instead of one of public concern, the jail would have been finished long ago. The wheels of the Gods' are not the only things that grind slowly.