The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-19
ALDERMEN CLASH
 OVER FIRE RATES Decision of Southeastern Tariff Association Causes Row O'NEILL PROMINENT FIGURE Hot crossfire of Questions and An swers, Which Finally Resulted
 In Adjournment, After Pass
 Ing One Resolution.
 
DWELL PROMINENT FIGURE

The recent decision or the southeastern Tariff association to place Birmingham on second-class fire insurance basis de- veloped into real live issue at the regu- lar sem-monthly meeting of the city council last night. The action of the as- sociation was strongly condemned by the municipal officials, and as a result of the general discussion the following resolu- ton, offered by Alderman J. J. Altman of the Sixth ward. was unanimously adopted:
 Resolved, That the fire and water ser vice committee be instructed to prepare at once and publish statement of the facts as to the history of the fire service of Birmingham since May 1S99."
 In supporting his resolution, Colonel Alt man declared that .'it is an absurd thing for the people of Birmingham to be com pelled to be dictated to by the South eastern Tariff association. We are ready and willing to meet the fight"
 The matter was brought before the meeting while the standing committees were being called upon by Mayor Dren- nen to make their reports.
 Due the Tax Payers.
 Alderman Harry Jones of the Eighth ward, the chairman of the fire and water service committee, stated that he had TO formal report to make, but thought 1t was due the taxpayers and the insurance payers of Birmingham to be informed of the condition of the Birmingham fire de- partment He said that on May 1, 1899, , there were but two fire stations in the city, one in the old city hall and the other on the Southside; that one year later the Five Points station was installed which increased the fire fighting facilities of the city 30 per cent. The Southeastern Tariff association then told the members of the city council that if the fire depart ment was increased that Birmingham would be placed on a first-class fire in- surance basis I here was nothing in writ ing however but every request Of the association, and more, too, by the way, was complied with. On July 1, 1901, a Metropolitan first-class steamer was in- stalled, and in September of the same year the East End fire station was in stalled, and a chemical engine placed in service at central station. The North Highlands station was opened, and on Ap- Til 1, 1903, the Greener station in west End was installed Last May a second Metropolitan frst-class steamer was pur- chased. The city of Birmingham has done more than has ever been required from the Southeastern Tariff association. Some Sharp Questions.
 Alderman John w. O'Neill; Did the Southeastern Tariff association ask that building laws be adopted by the city of Birmingham, similar to other building laws in cities composing the association, Alderman JonesY'
 Alderman Jones: "Yes sir. The laws sent over by an officer of the association were adopted with one change and are now in force"
 Alderman o'Neill: Well, I will ask our chief executive, whether or not Sec retary Fleming of the association wrote you a letter last January saying that un- less building laws were adopted that Bir- mingham would be placed on the second class basis; and l desire to say l nave copy of the letter."
 Mayor Drennen: "If the alderman from the Second ward has a copy of the let ter there is no use in my answering his question"
 | Alderman Henry B. Gray: Alderman O'Neill, if you are dissatisfied with the present building laws of the city, why don't you present other laws. MT. Chair man, is there anything before the meet | ing?"
 Alderman O'Neill: We are here repre- senting the people of Birmingham, who are losing between s1o0000 and $15O,00O yearly by the change in rates. We must | protect their interests. We are here with | out recompense and I do not expect to receive anything for my services-"i 1 Alderman Jones: Well, you wont be | deceived in that'
 Wants Copies of the Laws. l Alderman O'Nell: "I want to know just what the Southeastern Tariff association wants. If necessary, it would be best, 1t seems to me. to get the copies of all of the building laws in southern cities and adopt the laws that will be the best for our people"
 Mayor Drennen: "As has been stated before, the building laws sent to Bir- mingham by the Southeastern Tariff asso- citation were adopted with one change. These are said to be the same laws adopt ed by Atlanta, Augusta, Jacksonville and other cities in the association" Alderman ONeill: 'I want to ask Brother Drennen how he replied to the letter of Secretary Fleming, relative to the building laws?'
 Mayor Drennen: "I would not attempt to say off-hand what said in any letter | written last January
 Much Confusion. | City Engineer Kendrick was then sum-