The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-02

valuable papers affecting the title to prop erty, rights. etc, of the municipalit as we'll as of corporations and individuals
 were lost or misplaced. In fact. no sus- tained supervision over such matters had been attempted since the founding of the city On request your honorable body authorized the compilation and publica- ton of book gathering such instruments and information together.
 This book was promptly completed and delivered and now preserves in accessible and permanent shape aii grants, fran chises. contracts, deeds and records that can be of value to future generations and the courts
 New Departments.
 As rapidly as possible after the enact ment of the new code the following new departments were ests blished: They are governed by modern rules gathered from the best regulated cities in the United States. They are performing quietly and systematically the duties provided for them by law These regulations frequent ly appear arbitrary to the property owner and seem to involve hardship at times, yet they are the basis of all safe. healthy and substantial growth and vital to the general welfare:
 Department of Building Inspections.
 Department of Plumbing Inspections.
 Department of Electrical Inspections.
 Department ot BaclefloloSicai lhspec-
 tions.
 Department of Gas and Meter Inspec-
 tions.
 Department of Building Inspector.
 19O5-liandled through the city engineer.
 1909-One chief inspector, one assistant,
 salaries, 5000.
 This department is self-sustaining.
 Modern building laws were adopted in
 1895 and various amendments made since
 that time, viz:
 Department of Plumbing Inspector.
 19O5-Handled by city engineer.
 1909-One chief inspector, one assistant,
 one clerk, salary $4920. This department is self-sustaining. Modern plumbing laws were adopted in
 1905 and various important amendments have been made since that time. Among
 the most important, the regulation of the non-syphon traps, whereby saving of
 about 9 per cent was made in favor of the property owner with better results to health and sanitation. Adopted the Durham system of plumb ing to be used in all tall and vibrating buildings
 Adopted drain laying plumbing system used by the United States government in all of its work Department of Electrical Inspections. 19O5-No regulations. 1919-One chief and one assistant, tenn 
 porarily; salaries, $2500 This department is self-sustaining. 1 Modern electrical inspection laws recommended by the National Under writers, were adopted. | Adopted many important amendments, | viz:
 | Regulating electric signs. | Regulating electric wiring for moving | picture shows.
 Requiring all new electric and lighting l companies coming into the city to put ] wire underground in fire limits. Department of Gas and Meter Inspec- ton. 1 1905-No regulations. l 1s09-One inspector, salary $500. Since ordinance went into effect in May. | 1907, all newly installed electric meters have been tested. From each batch of | gas meters ready for installation a few | have been tested. | Perhaps the worst feature of service at inauguration of this department was the l pressure gas. This has been watched 1 daily and records kept of pressure at 1 three stations in different parts of the city | and occasional observations taken at va 1 rious places. By means of new mains, 1 cleaning out old ones and closely resu- | lating pressure at gas plant the pressure | has changed from an cratic curve vary | ing between 11s and inches to one with maximum variation from 2A to 511 inches. | This Is giving much satisfaction to con- sumers.
 The quality of gas Is tested about once | @ week at different times without notice | to the gas company. This is resulting In | & better quality of gas used. This means so much more heat derived from each foot of gas used and so much time saved in each heating operation. The benefit to each consumer may be small, but in the aggregate to the city is large and also | benefits the suburbs. | Some work has also been done by the | department to educate the people in eco | nomcal use of gas and the use of efficient | electric lamps.
 | Fire Department. | The size equipment, etc.. of your Fire | Department has been almost doubled. l It's efficiency, however, has increased an | hundred fold. It is estimated that about l S100,000 in insurance premiums is being l saved every year to property owners as a result of it's improvement. l The remarkable reduction from 15 to 2-5 | in percentage of loss to property at risk l shows that intelligent work and money properly placed will produce proportionate results with mathematical precision. 1905. 1906 1907. 1908. Stations zee. .... 6 I g
 Men .... .... .... 5s ss 1O7 1o7 | Horses - ... 31 40 46 Al Engines Hose wagons Trucks Chemical .... |