The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-02-18
MULLIN SAYS HE
 HAS HAD ENOUGH
Would Not Accept Reelection
 as Fire Chief
WRITES LETTER TO MAYOR
Southwestern Tariff Association Is Not Satisfied With Fire Department and Demands Reorganization-A
 Meet to Be Held Tuesday.

Former chief of the fire department J. T. Mullin will not be candidate for re- election to the position of chief. In letter to Mayor Ward. dated February 15, he states that he held the position seven teen years and does not desire 1t again. This letter removes one of the eompli- cations in the present situation in regard to the head of the fire department. As is well known the Southeastern Tariff as- sociation has demanded a complete reor- ganization of the department before 1t will restore Birmingham to a first-class basis in insurance rating. Improvements are also demanded in the matter of new equipment. Additional stations have al- ready been established.
 In order that some plan satisfactory to all who are interested in the matter may be perfected, a meeting of the citizens committee and committee from the City Council will be held Tuesday at the city hall. A plan has already been mapped out which will probably be agreed on, but the conditions of the plan are un- known
 Mulln Writes Letter.
 It was reported recently that former Chief Mullin would be candidate against the present chief, William P. Walton. This rumor tended to complicate matters and in view of the fact MT Mullin wrote the following letter:
 "Birmingham Ala. Feb. 15, 1906. ''Hon George B. Ward, Mayor, City.
 Dear Sir-During my absence from the city I see that my name has been men, tioned as a possible candidate for the of flee of chief of the fire department As YOU know, I resigned that office of my own accord, and I am not candidate, have not been, neither would serve If elected
 q served, as you know, seventeen years in that capacity and have had enough of 1t. thanking you and the board for past favors. I am yours most respect fully, J. T. MOLLlN'
 In connection with that letter, Mayor Ward has made a statement, which is as follows:
 Mayor Wards Statement.
 .Ndr. Mullins statement is evidently purely patriotic.
 "Realizing that there has been some trouble in electing a fire chief sadsfae- tory to all concerned-city authorities, insurance people and others-and know ing that a contest on his part would command much strength in the board' he evidently makes this statement in order to simplify matters and do all in his power to hasten a consummation of the agreement with the Southeastern Tariff association that will place Bir- mingham on a first-class basis"
 The history of the trouble about the fire department dates back two or three years The city was given a first class rating. but was reduced to the former old rating on account of the losses, ac- cordng to the insurance people. Protests were made by citizens and property hold CTS and the tariff association sent committee to Birmingham to confer with the Board of Trade Tn regard to the matter.
 An agreement was reached between the committee and the board. The city pledged itself to carry out the agreement, which specified that the fire department should be reorganized, additional equipment pur- chased, more men be added to the de- pnrtment, the fire alarm system enlarged and improved and that more and larger water plugs should be installed
 The insurance people point out that all these changes have been made except the reorganization of the department
 HaIe's Report. Following the recent Moore x Hand- lev fire a committee from the tariff as- sociation came to Birmingham and in vestigated the conditions. The report was unfavorable in many ways and favorable in others. It was agreed that former Chief Hale of Kansas City should come to Birmingham, inspect the department and make recommendations.
 Chief Hale praised the personnel of the department from the chief down. The members of the tariff association com mittee did not agree with this portion of the report and 1t has been stated that if the department is not reorganized, number of companies would discontinue their business in Birmingham and that all companies would reduce their lines The committee claimed that a reorgan- ization was necessary.
 AS a result of the objection the mat ter is to be considered Tuesday by the City Council and the merchants com mittee, which was organized several months ago to take an active hand In the matter of improving the department.
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