The age-herald., 1900-05-06

drants. The testimony of Major Milner whose intimate and protracted connection with the Water Works company has made him familiar with every detail of the sys- tenn, demonstrated very eonclusively that the quantity of water furnished the city IS ample for all purposes and that the pipes and mains are in good condition. Your committee is of the opinion however, that some of the pipes are too small to furnish the necessary protection against ire, and there was a manifest disposi- tion on the part of the officers of the Wa ter Works company, when their attention was called to it, to remedy the defect.
 Department Inadequate
 Your committee reached two conclu- sions, which they believe to be of great practical value: That the fire department is inadequate to meet the dangers that threaten the city of Birmingham by fire. The present chief and the men under him are very efficient. Perhaps no fire depart ment in the country Is better officered and manned than ours, but the force is too small and the equipment of the depart ment is altogether insufficient. This con- clusion is predlcated largely on the testi- mony of Chief Mullen. He says that the force ought to be doubled The depart ment is supplied with only three engines. One of them is comparatively modern, and meets the requirements of good machine 
 of date. The great need of the department is more engines and better ones and more men, It Is hazardous to rely at all on the natural or plug pressure of the water in case of a big fire. The experience of the Metropolitan hotel is liable to be repeated at any time. A well equipped fire depart ment is the only safe guard against disas- trous fires.
 Three-Ouarter Clause
 'It is lamentable and expensive fact that Birmingham is the only city of equal population that is afflicted with the three quarter clause in it's insurance policies. And this, of course, is due solely to our obvious inability to successfully combat large confagrations. If the municipal cor poration is not able to make the necessary additions and Improvements in the fire department. 1t would pay the property owners in the city to do it by popular sub scrption. They would save more than their contributions in the reduction of their in- surance rates, and the elimination of the three-quarters clause from their policies The other conclusion is that there is great need for more fire hydrants. There are two hundred and fifty-one fire hydrants in use; by comparison with other cities there ought to be at least four hundred. At pres ent, in the business portion of the city, there is a hydrant at the intersection of each street and avenue; in addition to these there should be one in the center of each block. This would enable the depart ment to use shorter lines of hose, which could be handled with greater ease. and would carry the water with less friction.
 In Conclusion
 'While our work has not been done per- fectly, we trust good will come from the agitation of the question submitted to us for investigation. No graver duty devolves on the city of Birmingham than to take effective precautions against the destruc- tion of property. and perhaps life. by fire. The peril is real and urgent and relief should be furnished by immediate and con- certed action on the part of those whose welfare is wrapped up in the development of Birmingham.
 'In connection with our report, and as a part of it, we submit the testimony of fered before the committee and also blue print of the entire water works system. showing the location and size of the water mains and pipes.
 "Your committee was fortunate in having the assistance and cooperation of the com mittee appointed by the board of trade. and the one appointed from the board of aldermen We acknowledge our obligation to these gentlemen, and express to them our thanks. Respectfully submitted.
 JAS. J. BANKS. Chairman,
 JOSEPH BEITMAN,
 JOHN w. ONEILI..
 "W NJ. DRENNEI
 "A R. DEARBORN"