The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-02-07
POLICY OF WARD
 IS NOW DISCUSSED Mayor Orennen's Term of 0t-
 flee Expires in May COMMITTEES OF COUNCIL When Mayo Wards Administration Commences Retrenchment May
 Be Course Pursued-FIre
 Department Issue.

GORtst
 With Mayor Drennens third term in office rapidly coming to a close, and the incoming of Mayor-elect George B. Ward less than three months off, there Is considerable speculation going on at the city hall and in other municipal circles as to the policy to be inaugurated by the new mayor. Under the charter of the city of Birmingham the term of office or Mayor Drennen expires on the first Wednesday night following the first Mon day in May and his successor immediate ly takes up the reins of government.
 While MT. Wards installation In the office of mayor will not mean complete change in administration, for the reason that but two members of the present City Council, besides Mayor Drennen, retire from office In May. the mayor generally dictates the policy to be carried out by the Council. Simon Klotz from the Sec ond ward and John L. Parker from the Seventh ward are the new aldermen, the former succeeding Alderman Ward and the latter Alderman Robert II. Thach.
 Concerning Policy.
 MT. Ward has made no intimation as yet what his policy will be, but his past po- sition In the City Council clearly demon strates that the financial affairs of the city will be his hobby Neither has he intimated who will be at the head of the various standing committees of the City Council In naming his standing com mittees, which will probably be his first official act his line of policy will be in dicated. Take the finance committee for instance, which is perhaps the most i'm portant of all other committees in the City Council. It has been the case us- ually, for the mayor to appoint the chair man of the finance committee from the delegation which is politically friendly to him. This committee fixes all salaries. looks after appropriations and, In fact, has entire charge of the city's exchequer.
 Retrenchmen: Resolutions.
 Alderman Ward was the father of the resolution which cut the salary of the mayor of Birmingham.
 He was the father of the resolution which provided for the consolidation of the offices of city clerk and city auditor. He was the father of the resolution abol- ishing the appointive offices of assistant to the city treasurer and assistant to the tax collector.
 The last two measures were turned down by the finance committee Sup pose however, MT. Ward should insist on his resolution when he becomes mayor of Birmingham and they are referred to a new finance committee? The indications are that they would become laws of the city.
 The Drennen administration has spent considerable money In civic improve ments during the past few years. Plenty of public school buildings and public parks has been Mayor Drennen's slogan since his term of office begun years ago. As a result the city has acquired Drennen park at Five Points, Behren's park near the western limits of the city, several parks near Lakeview; has built several public schools and has let the contract for a sl00000 Birmingham High school When have seen ground broken for the new High school" remarked Mayor Drennen several months ago, "I will have carried out every promise made when I went into office, except to get married"
 Improvement of Parks.
 What about these public Parlls?" Is a live question now with the anxious inquirer" "a citizen" ct als "It will take thousands of dollars to beautify them, and will Mayor Wards administra- ton see that this is done?"
 This, of course, all remains to be seen.
 What about larger fire department?" is the pertinent question propounded by the merchant and large taxpayer. 1t is believed that for the next six Or eight months the fire department will be a live question to be solved by the municipal au thorities.
 Fire insurance Matter.
 The City Council and the Southeastern Tariff association have been crossed on this fire protection proposition for long time, but 1t is said that a majority of the members of the City Council now realize that something must be done to give the citizens stronger service
 Alderman Stookmar of the Ninth ward and Alderman Forney of the Sixth ward are soon to ask, 1t is said. what has be- come of their resolution providing for the establishment of fire stations in their communities Some other alderman will probably introduce a resolution provid- ing for additional fire equipment down town, and 1t Is believed in municipal cir cles that some definite action will be taken soon.