The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-02-22
FIRE DEPARTMENT
HAS A NEW CHIEF
Capt. A v. Bennett Succeeds
Chief Walton
CHANGE EFFECTIVE TODAY
Birmingham Restored to First Class
Basis-Southeast Tariff Associa-
ton and City Aaree-Mayor
Ward Makes Statement.

Birmingham is restored to first class
fire risk basis dating from today and A.
V. Bennett. captain of Engine station No.
8. was elected chief of the fire depart
ment last night, in place of Chief Walton,
taking charge of his new position to-
day.
Such was the result of the several con-
ferences held in this city during the
past two weeks, between citizens. city
officials, insurance men and representa-
tives of the Southeastern Tariff associa-
ton. The special committee of the tariff
| association met several days ago and
took favorable action after these con-
ferenees were held. At the conference it
was agreed that the wishes and desires
of the insurance people would be acceded
to, that Bennett would be made chief,
that the fire department would be placed
on a modern footing in every way, and
that this would all be done at once.
The special committee then met and
recommend to the executive committee
that Birmingham be placed in the first
class as a fire risk city. The executive
committee of the Southeastern Tariff as
ISOLATION met yesterday and adopted the
recommendations of the special commit
tee telegram to that effect was re-
ceived here yesterday afternoon.
Office of Assistant.
Last night the council adopted reso-
luton creating the office of assistant chief
of the fire department, and elected Ben
nett chief. 1t is said to be likely that
the Mayor will appoint a man for the
office upon the recommendation of Chief
Bennett. Last night it was openly said
around the city hall that present Chief
! Walton would be made Chief Benefits
assistant.
Birmingham has been in the second
class as fire risk ever since the Balti-
more fire, although efforts were made
constantly to have the city restored to
the first class Teh insurance men, made
doubly cautious by the heavy losses at
Baltimore, caused the rules to be made
more stringent and to be more strictly
and rigidly enforced everywhere. Mayor
Ward indiscussing the matter, said;
Mayor Talks.
Birmingham will be restored imme-
diately to the first class basis, which
will mean a saving or about $4,000 per
month to the people who pay insurance.
! 1t means that a rebate will be given
dating February %, on policies now in
force and the rebate will amount to the
difference between the first and second
class rates.
The whole plan has been tremendously
arranged between the several parties in
terested the fire department officials the
citizens at large, the city officials, and
the Southeastern Tariff association repre-
sentatives. The city authorities will pro-
coed to enforce rigdly all heterogeneous
of the fire laws, and the fire department
under Chief Bennett will be put through
regular discipline and drills and sys-
tematic and comprehensive reports will
be made every day from each of the
/ fire stations to Chief Benefits office.
1T may take some time to rerate the
city, possibly two or three months, but
the rebates viii take III al tne pelloo
dating from February % just the same"
The following is the correspondence
which passed during the last few days,
relative to the settlement of the matter,
and the resolution adopted by the City
Council in accordance herewith:
Atlanta, Ga, February IS 1906
Mr. r. M. Goodall Chairman, Bfrming
ham, Ala.
Dear Sir: Referring to our conference
this morning, l now take pleasure in
handing you a copy of the resolutions
adopted at a meeting of the special COM
mittee of the Southeastern Tariff assoc
citation held in this city today. In carry
ing out this agreement | will In person
present our report to the executive COM
mittee at its meeting on the 2lst, and Will
urge it's adoption.
In behalf OF the committee, l beg to
thank you for the interest you have man
Tested in this matter and can assure
you that everything will be done by us
to cooperate with you looking to the