The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-25
Revision of Birminoham Rates.

Dear Sir-Your favor of the 18th ut. having reference to the matter of rate revision now being conducted by special agents of the association In Birmingham, has come duly to hand and Is fully con- sidered.
 'On the 18th of January last you ad- dressed a communication to the associa- tion in reference to building laws and building inspector, to which answer was made by the undersigned on the 18th of January, under direction of the executive committee of the association.
 "At the time the aforesaid correspond ence occurred the idea of the executive committee was that the instroduction of satisfactory building laws and building inspector by the city of Birmingham would have the effect of placing the city on the first class basis, from the insur- ance standpoint. As matter of fact, the introduction of satisfactory building laws and city building inspector would have completed the requirements agreed upon as placing Birmingham on the first class basis, according to the understand ing had between yourself and the writer in February, 1901.
 Tt must be noted, however that since the correspondence mentioned herein, which took place between yourself and the association in January, 1904. several serious fires have occurred in Birming- ham, the management of which by the fire department has demonstrated to the insurance companies the inadequacy of the fire protection in Birmingham.
 Since the agreement of February 1901, the department has been weakened by certain changes, including the dropping of some of the men, and curing that time the city has grown constantly and rapidly, though no corresponding in- crease in the fire protection has been provided
 "It is not amiss to mention that the disaster which finally determined the ad- vance in rates and the revision of the Birmingham tariff on a lower basis was the fire in the block on First avenue, be- tween Twentieth and Twenty-first streets which practically destroyed a number of buildings, and during which fire the in- adequacy of the fire protection was clearly demonstrated.
 "The executive committee, in response to the demands of companies, which were made known immediately following this fire, realized that some action must be taken at once and proceeded to put on the 20 cents additional charge to the rates now In force, pending regular revision of the tariff. In the light of the manifest liability of the fire department to satisfactorily handle fires. be the causes what they may, the executive Itctlly lldQ Dut Out CouioC lO pursue and that Sfas to put Birmingham on a lower basis, therefore it was de- termined to classify the city as second class and put raters to work revising the | tariff on that basis. As you are aware | this Is now being done
 | The executive committee of the asso- | citation will not have another meeting
 until the 2Sth of July, but your commu-
 nication shall be presented to the com | mittee at that time for it's consideration. "Whateyer action is taken by the exec utive committee in reference to your com munication shall be promptly conveyed to you.
 "As to the information you ask for as to the improvements which would be necessary in the fire department and
 water supply of Birmingham to continue | that city on the first class basis. I would l say that in view of the numerous changes
 which have taken place in Birmingham during the last couple of years, the last | inspections report made by one of our in- | spectors would hardly serve as basis upon which to determine the necessary | improvements referred to. In my judg- ment it will be necessary for an inspec- tor to make another thorough review of the whole situation and get 1t into proper shape, so that the various items may be considered separately and together with the idea of determining what changes of additions. either to the fire department or the water supply, or both, would be