The age-herald., 1897-11-20
MIGHT HAVE
 MUCH LOWER RATES fl a Hook and Ladder and Chemical
 Engine WERE PLACED IN SERVICE This Is the Verdict of Prominent h.
 SuranCe Men. THREE-FOURTHS VALUE CLAUSE Is One of the Pernicious Evils of Not Having More Apparaius-An Effort to Have
 Birmingham Rated in Tariff
 Association.
THREE-FOURTHs VALUE CLAUSE

6lrHllnSHdm ndS no HOOK ana iduueT apparatus in service in it's fire depart ment. Neither has it chemical en- zine.
 These two omissions. with another, disbars Birmingham from being rated as a frst-class city by the Southeastern Tariff association, thereby not being given the same rating of insurance.
 The third obstacle is the lack of suffi- cient hose reel stations.
 When these omissions are supplied Birmingham may be rated as a first class city and receive the advantage of an insurance rate much lower than the present one.
 The large hook and ladder truck for merly used by the department was talk en out of service three years ago. The chemical engine was sold to Cincinnati parties about the same time.
 COUNCILS ACTION.
 At the meeting of the city council Wedne sday night Chief Thad Mulin, of the fire department, made request that combination hook and ladder truck and chemical engine be purchased.
 When the administration sought to reduce the city's expenses three years ago." said Chief Mullin, "they cut out the hook and ladder truck. This let off five men. That truck has a sixty-fve feet high ladder and is entirely too heavy to haul around through the residence portion of the city.
 ''The apparatus I requested the city to purchase is combination chemical en- zine and hook and ladder truck. It is a light vehicle and carries an extension ladder fifty feet in length. It could be easily used in the res dence portion of the city and would need five men to operate it.
 John G. Smith, one of the best posted insurance men in the city, said the citi zens were accorded an insurance rate just as though the hook and ladder truck and chemical engine were in service.
 w. J. Dangaix said: Birmingham is surance agent, said: 'I was under the impression that the hook and ladder truck was in service. I am of the opin- ion that if it were put back into service with the chemical engine the insurance rate would be greatly reduced"
 w. J. Dangan said: Birmingham is not rated among the cities and has not been for the past six years. Since the Caldwell hotel fire demonstrated the fact that the fire departms mt was not prop erly equipped the insurance companies have refused to rate this city
 MAY BE REDUCED.
 "Only today the local insurance agents unanimously 9 g e q to rfqu;st the South eastern Tariff association to give this city a rating This was done on ac- count of the great difference in some of the local rates. If the rating is accorded us some of the present rates will be more or less reduced.
 Since the city has disposed of it's chemical engine and the east and west end hose reel stations, the companies have insisted on inserting the three fourths value clause. That clause IS used for country business and is a severe detrim.nt to this city.
 q am of the opinion if the city would replace it's hook and ladder truck and chemical engine and re-establish the east and west end hose real stations Birnling- ham would be granted as low rate as any city in the south Both Atlanta ard New Orleans has lower rates than Birmingham"
 'In place of retaining the present heavy truck the same crew could operate both apparatuses for they would never be used simultaneously.
 q do not wish 1t understood that I am dissatisfied with the work of my pres- ent force. Although reduced to a mini mum 1t is the best department in the south The records for the past three years will prove this assertion and I am proud of my boy
 LARGE BUILDINGS.
 "The larger buildings now being erected in the city necessitates better equipment in the way Of apparatus The one recommend will cost the city $2,25O, which can be paid for on time.
 Mayor Evans stated in recent meet ing that the city had money to spend and I can see no better way of using it than for the protection of the people," When the old chemical engine was taken out of service the insurance com panies inserted the clause on the three fourths value of the property. They did this to protect themselves as the city had failed to do so.
 
 The Great Wallace Show, which s con-