The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-11-09
IT IS POSSIBLE THAT
 RATE MAY BE RAISED
Nearly Everyone Says the Firemen Die the Best They Could Under the Circumstances, But That
 Equipment is Needed.

that more fire equipment was needed and several of the aldermen said they fa- vored immediate action in securing more engines and more modern apparatus
 All the aldermen stated that they thought that the firemen and the oe- partment did the best it could under the circumstances, and several of them stated that the waterworks company was in some measure to blame, as 1t needed larger mains.
 Several insurance men were also inter viewed in regard to their side of the conditions report was circulated yes terday, as it has been after several other large fires, that some of the insurance companies were going to withdraw f.npi Birmingham. The agents in Birminghalf stated that they had not heard or the contemplated withdrawal and did not think that it would take place.
 There was, however, an intimation from one of the insurance men that the rates might be raised again instead of lowered If Birmingham did not secure larger and better equipped fire department There is an agreement in existence be- tween the city ana the Southeastern Tar if association to reduce the rates, pro- vided certain Improvements are made in the fire department and the necessities for fighting fire.
 Following are the opinions of the va rious people who could be seen yester- day:
 Mayor George B. Ward:
 ''The city has no complaint to make of the way the Moore & Handley fire was fought. I don't think the members of the firm have either. The alarm was simply turned in after a hot fire had gained headway and. neither the New York nor the Chicago department could have handled 1t, or got into action quicker. The first few minutes mean a great deal to any fire department. and in this case the department knew noth- ing of the fire until it was beyond con trol. If we had more equipment 1t could not have been used at the fire last night. l Birmingham's department Is larger now by one-third, than that of any city it's size in the United States"
 William P. Walton, chief of the fire departments:
 'I have no complaint to make about anything in connection with the fire Tues day night. When the department arrived the blaze had spread to three floors, which told me at a glance that some one must have been very slow in turning in an alarm. The watchman told me he had con siderable trouble In getting telephone connection, but there was box on the corner which he might have used. turn ed the key when the second alarm was sounded. There are times when every fire chief believes his department is inade- quate but you must remember that our department is being improved as fast as the city's finances will allow It.
 Alderman John W. O'Neill of the Sec. ond ward
 Tn addition to recent improvements II the fire department another steamer is badly needed in the business district. The city is cramped in It's finances, but we can buy steamer on ten years time al a low rate of interest. and it should bs purchased without delay. By increasing the department and complying with other conditions insisted on by the Southeastern Tariff associ,-.a<.n this city would be pu | on first ca.s oasis, which would near a saving to merchants and others who pay insurance a total sum of $150.O0O 6 year"
 Alderman Simon Klotz, of the Second ward
 T have fought for a better fire depart ment ever since l became identified witt the public life of Birmingham. Wher president of the board of trade, I brought about conference between q committed of the board of trade, representatives oi the city council and members of ths Southeastern Tariff association for thu purpose of ascertaining what was lacking In the fire department. After we reached an agreement, the recommendations wer, made to the council, but deferred indeh nitely because of the condition of tn, city's finances. I trust every alderman will take up the question and get none, to make the necessary Improvements a once. It is imperative that something il done."
 Alderman Ben F. Barbour of the Thirt ward:
 'I was at the fire last night ant reached the conclusion before leaving tha something is radically wrong with th' | fire department or the water works. Aftel I reached the scene when the blaze wal l frs4 discovered, 1t was fully twenty-five | minutes before stream of water reached the fire. Even al.er the hose were strung the water pressure did not seem to b. l strong enough to reach the flames. ant | the fire virtually eat it's way to thu water. say give the people of Birming ham the best fire fighting equipment tha can be made. employ good men and keeI | them out of politics."
 Alderman D. R. Copeland of the Thirt | ward
 "The fires we have are no worse thar | those that visit other cities. For thu amount of money we have in the treas ury the city is doing the best 1t can. w | are adding to the fire department as fas as possible, but If we had fifty engines they could not have done anything witt the Moore & Handley fire. It Is said times that the water pressure IS not al that it should be, but when an investi | gation is made it Is hard to determine whether or not the statement IS correct.
 Alderman Walter Moore was not in hi office when a reporter called yesterdal