The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-06
l Lower Ratc of Insurance for
 BifnInghanis Greatly Desired MATTER OF COST DISCUSSED
Chairman H. B. Gray of the City coun- ell Calls Attention to the Cost of
 Installation of New Equip
 ment and It's Maintenance.

The general opinion among business men who are affected by the increase in rates, announced several months ago, is that the demands are quite steep. but they all state that if the demands are compiled with Birmingham will be far better protected than any city In the south.
 It is also generally believed that the exacting in order that a compromise might be effected between 1t and the city, which would result in a number of the improvements being made.
 No one denies that the city needs many of the Improvements set forth In the Southeastern Tariff association's report, but many feel that the city Is unable to meet all the demands. Members of the board of aldermen state without hesita- tion that the money is the only question.
 The board of trade will meet this af- ternoon at 4:3O o'clock in it's rooms in the First National Bank building, and the associations report will be carefully con- sidered at that time A large meeting Is expected this afternoon, as nearly ev- cry business man in town is interested in the matter of the rates. The recent in- crease imposed upon Birmingham mer- chants, amounts to a total of about s7o,oOO.
 President Simon klotz.
 "The report asks for more than I ex- pected," said Simon Klotz, president of the board of trade, but If we could get all that equipment Birmingham would be well protected against fire. We would save money by getting the equipment and getting the first-class rating. For instance. we pay s7O0OO more premiums now than if we were on first-class rat ing. The new equipment would cost about s50,0O0 and 1t would take almost tlat much to maintain it every year. but we would save s200O0 and all the money paid out annually would be right here in Birmingham
 "The board of trade will certainly con- slider the matter Tuesday afternoon, and will endorse portions of that report, and request the mayor and board of alder men to do all in their power to make many of those much needed improve ments
 q think that the city will make some of the improvements and as many as possi- ble should be made. As everyone knows, we need them badly enough
 Ferd Marx.
 Ferd Marx said: "I think that the de- mands are rather large, but there is no doubt that the department should be en- larged and put on a better basis. An increase of 50 per cent on the premium on stock like I carry Is a great bur den, and the city should do everything in its power to secure decrease in the rates for us. I believe that the demands were made In order that a compromise might be effected, and I hope something will be done"
 M. P. Messer: 'I think that the tariff association is right. If the city would make all those Improvements it would not only decrease the rates. but cause smaller losses. They asked a great deal and I hope that the city will be able to make some of those improvements"
 Alderman John c. Forney: q expected the Tariff association to make some very large demands but hardly expected them to demand as much as that report shows. I agree about one section or It's report. and think that 1t ought to be done. We need a new station in my ward-the sixth-and I hope that we get that one at least, but l would like to see the other improvements if possible"
 John L. Parker, alderman-elect: T think that the tariff association asks more than Birmingham can afford to give now, but if we could come up to it's requirements it would make this city ideal in fire pro- tection. Everything possible should be done by the mayor and board of alder men, but the city has little or no money just now to apply to better fire service"
 George B. Ward.
 George B. Ward, recently chosen mayor at the primary: If the demands are not excessive they should be met if 1t is pos sble to do so. Whether or not they are excessive a careful investigation of the whole proposition from this end of the line must be gone into After that must come a further investigation and search for additional revenue to meet the changed conditions.
 "The tariff association by demanding reduction of the small license the city has been collecting from them shows a dis position to escape its share of the fresh burden thrown upon the people, and indi- cates that we should look carefully into other demands before agreeing to them that the city should be placed on a first class basis If possible under present con- ditions everybody agrees"
 Chairman Gray.
 Alderman Henry B. Gray. chairman of the finance committee, said:
 At a glance the tariff association Ioo,xs excessive. If acceeded to it would depIete the treasury of the city The question to be considered is not so much whether ar not we need such Improvements. ror whether or not we should aid the fire in- surance companies in carrying the risks. Sut can we afford 1t?
 T am strongly in favor of restoring the city to a first-class basis, and I am sure the mayor and aldermen will study every phase of the proposition, and do all things possible to reach an agreement with the Southeastern Tariff association, but here are some figures which have today care fully prepared, and which can be easily understood by every texpayer in the city. as we'll as by the insurance comma nies