The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-10-12
ALDERMEN TALK 0F MORE SALARY
 FOR POLICEMEN All Would Like to See Members of the Force Get More
 Moneyif Possible ONLY QUESTION IS
 ONE OF FINANCES Mayor Ward Says That increasing the Salaries of Policemen Brings Out Other Serious Ques-
 tIons-His Views.

will have much to do in forming the final decision of the Board of Aldermen concerning the request of the police com mission for an increase in the salary for the policemen. Nearly every member of the council was seen yesterday with ref erence to his position on the resolution adopted Tuesday night by the police com mission, and not one expressed himself as opposing the increase. Not few said they believed the police should receive better salaries. Others said they would be influ- enced by the condition of the treasury. Some said they would abide by what the mayor thought and others preferred to wait until the petition reaches the coun- ell before making their position known.
 The consensus of opinion may be summed up as follows: Every alderman seen thinks the police force. from the chief down, should be paid more money; they recognize that the city Is growing fast and that the force works hard per haps harder than In any other southern city because the number of men Is small; that the hours are longer than required in many places and that the average police- man assumes greater risk here, per- haps, than in many places because of the character of some of the people who are constantly coming into the clutches of the law.
 Following are the views of the various aldermen on the question:
 Alderman Ben F. Barbour:
 "They are entitled to more money. Birmingham is a growing city and the work of the police department naturally increases. They are working short handed and I believe they should get better salaries. With fair increase in wages the men should buy their own uniforms"
 Alderman John w. O'Neill:
 'I favor increasing the salary of the police to an amount equal to that paid the officers of Atlanta, Memphis and other progressive southern cities. If the other cities of the south furnish uni forms, Birmingham should do the same" Alderman Thomas s. Simms:
 q say give them the increase. for I believe in the right kind of pay for the right kind of men. We have a good police department"
 Alderman w. R. Gum:
 q rather think the police are entitled to better salaries. If the cty's finances are in the proper shape I shall vote for the raise"
 Alderman B. H. Cooper:
 "should the petition reach the council I will be called on to act as one of the jurors. I would prefer not to give my verdict before I hear the evidence"
 ~
 q favor a salary increase and think the city should furnish uniforms and equipments in the way of revolvers, etc I believe in good salaries and edu- cated men-men who can read and write well and know how to be civil.'
 Alderman F. A. Fulghum:
 "I favor a salary increase, however, and hope the city is in position to give it."
 Alderman Wheeler:
 q am most heartily in favor of in- the police force, and think that the city should also pay for their winter and summer uniforms. I further think that an eight-hour day should be granted. realize that the city Is mot In good financial condition, but, nevertheless, I think that provision could easily be made for the increased expenses of the police force.
 "The duty of the man behind the club cannot be overestimated. He is one of the hardest workers in the city. At present he works for twelve hours, and all of that time is on his feet. He takes
 Fl clra hot cn1o ri Id were paid and the men given an eight hour day better men could be secured for the department. The city would. consequently, be better protected I think it would be good investment"
 Alderman Gray Is out of the city.
 Alderman Jones declined to express an opinion until the matter had been brought before the board in a formal way
 Alderman Parker said that he would express his opinion after he had further time to consider the question, and that with without a more complete understands ing of the matter he does not feel com potent to make statement.
 q am glad the boys feel at liberty to come and ask at all times for what they want.
 "The chances are that they need raise. All men on fixed salaries probably do at present, as the cost of living has been advancing.
 Therefore, it's up to the board to scuffle around and do it's best to find the money for them.
 At the same time 1t should not be over looked that similar demands from 200 other employees of the city. more or less, will be submitted for immediate atten- ton.
 After that the s26. 900 due the Birming- ham Railway, Light and Power company for arc lights and S20,000 due the Bir- mingham Water Works company on con- tract must be reckoned with. These cor porations have considerably waited fol their money for more than a year. Neither has asked for 1t yet. Both have a right to expect 1t some day.
 "It is presumed, of course that the merchant and others who favor these salary increases will forego the increased fire equipment now being built and equipped.
 "The existing insurance rate will b. further clinched thereby.
 Probably some way has been discov cred by our good hearted aldermen where by the fixed excess of payments over re ceipts already amounting to more thai