The age-herald., 1900-08-08
CHARGES AGAINST FIRE CHIEF MULLIN City Council Will Make a Full
 Investigation. TO BE FORMALLY INSTITUTED The Accused Official Says He is Guilty of No Wrong Doing. and Can
 Prove His Innocence
 Other Matters
TOBE FORMALLY INSTITUTED

The City Council met in special session last night for the purpose of beginning an investigation of certain charges against Chief of the Fire Department Thad Null lin. No written charges have yet been made, but 1t is understood that some one of the Aldermen will make a formal charge today in order that the matter may be properly gotten before the board.
 Report has reached the board of certain irregularities in the administration of the fire department by Chief Mullin, and as stated in the Age-Herald yesterday Mayor Drennen called a special meeting of the Council for the purpose of beginning an investigation. It Is charged that Chief Mulin has at various times sold old hose, worn-out horses. and other things about the department that had been discarded and were useless, and that the money he received for these was never turned into the city treasury. It is stated that for the past five years no moneys arising from the sales of these articles have been paid into the treasury
 When the board assembled last night Alderman Williams moved that it go into executive session. At first there was some opposition to an executive session, but all objections were withdrawn and Mir. Will iams' motion prevailed by unanimous vote. As soon as the hall was cleared Chief Mullin, who had been advised by Mayor Drennen of the charges against him, and who was present at the meeting, made a statement.
 Chief M ailin's Statement
 Chief Mulln said that he could clear himself of any charges of misconduct that might be brought against him. He was not afraid of an investigation, and ex- pressed absolute confidence in his ability to prove that no culpability attached to him for anything he had done in his ca- pacity as chief of the fire department.
 A motion was made to refer the matter to the committee on fire department and water service, but Chief Mullin asked that the investigation be before the Mayor and Board of Aldermen as a committee of the whole. His request was granted, whereup- on the board adourned until o'clock to- night.
 Subsequent to adournment of the council Chief Mullin stated that he had done noth- ing wrong, and that he would establish that fact before the investigation is fin- ished. He said he would disprove every charge brought against him. He further stated that all the charges had been made by men who had been discharged from the fire department by him for cause.
 Other Business
 Before taking up the charges against Chief Mullin the board heard from Tom Baine, of the auditors department, with reference to taxes of the Birmingham Wa ter Works Company. That company has heretofore paid city taxes on one third of the valuation of it's entire plant, but this year when the question of assessing came up the officials offered to put in only one- fifth of the total valuation. MT. Baine is charged with looking after the city's inter- est before the County Board of Revenue. and when that question came up before that board yesterday he requested that it be passed until he could get instructions from the City Council. After listening to MT. Baines statement, the council in- structed the city attorney to take the matter up with MT. Baine and the Water Works Company.