The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-01-14
CHIEF HALE BOOSTS FIRE DEPARTMENT Says it is on the Whole in
 Good Shape FIRE TESTS SATISFACTORY Birmingham Is Improving So Fast It Is Difficult for Various Depart
 ments to Keep Up With
 cty's Growth.
FIRE TESTS SATISFACTORY

George c. Hale, former chief of the fire department of Kansas City, left last night for his home, after spending a week here looking into the condition of the fire department with a view of making recommendations for It's improvement as protective agency in fire emerg gencies.
 During my stay here I have made a minute investigation into local conditions relative to fire matters" said MT. Hale prior to his departure. and within the next four or five days the mayor and the board of aldermen will receive my written report. I shall prepare 1t as soon as I reach Kansas City. and will forward 1t at once.
 Ut would be improper for me to state in advance what shall recommend in my report. although have discussed all the matters with the mayor and the chief of the department. There Is every in- dlcation that all the officials here want to improve conditions in every way pos sible, and their actions in the recent past demonstrate that they are sincere.
 Department Good.
 T have reached the conclusion that the local department is very good In many ways, and compares well with the de- partments of other cities of this class, all things being taken into consideration. The personnel of the department and It's equipment is good. There is lack of sufficient men, apparatus and fire plugs, however, and when this deficiency is made good, the conditions complained of will have been removed
 "The excellent results obtained in the tests of the fire engines made at the scene of recent fire, relative to both the engines and the water supply, show ed that the equipment Is good and the men capable of properly handling it.
 "The tests were made about 10 o'clock this morning, and there were four en- zines there, including the new steamer. Every part of the engines was tested and found satisfactory. Streams of water of good size were sent much higher than was actually necessary. and despite the several streams from the one water main, the water pressure was found to remain evenly at S5 pounds to the square inch at other plugs on the same main
  Mir Hale reaffirmed the statement that Birmingham was improving and spread ing out so fast that 1t was difficult for the various departments to keep up with it's growth.
 "As I understand it. there Is complaint because of number of bad fires here in the recent past. Every city has times like these. It sometimes appears to me that fires are epidemic. A city might run along several months or even years without a bad fire. and then all at once several of them come within short space of time. That does not signify that the fire protec- tion measures are utterly inadequate.
 'The officials have new truck com ing, there are a number of additional fire men to be put to work in the department, and a new engine has already arrived. This will greatly add to the value of the department, and will increase the pro- tection.
 Confidence In Officials.
 q feel assured that the city officials will take the proper steps to conciliate the underwriters. Needed apparatus will be purchased, necessary changes and im- provements will be made in the depart ment and it's several branches, and even some changes made in the building laws.
 "All these things I have discussed with the mayor, so that he knows now prac- tically everything that l will say in my written report
 q am very glad to have come to Blr- minghan, and will stop over here next summer when I visit the south again. If the city continues to grow at the rate 1t is progressing now, l suppose l will have to be guided around again.