The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-01-06
MAYOR REPORTS ON CONDITIONS FOUND IN ANNEXED TOWNS Many Changes VII Have To Be Made In tq lipment
 Of Fire Stations
MORE SITES ARE NEEDED
 FOR STREET DEPART I MENT
North Birmingham Water Plant Un- able to Supply Sufficient Water Because Consumers Open Valves
 During Cold Weather.

The following message of Mayor
 Frank P. O'Brien, dealing specifically
 with the fire departments in the vari-
 ous suburbs recently annexed by Bir-
 mingham, and casually referring to
 other matters pertaining to the en-
 larged city, was referred by the presi-
 dent of the city council, at the regular
 meeting of that body last night, to the
 fire. finance and judiciary committees,
 which are empowered to appoint spe-
 cial committees as the occasions for
 them arise:
 To the Honorable, the City Council of
 Birmingham.
 Gentlemen-Your Mayor, accompan-
 fed by the chief of the fire department
 has made careful survey of the con
 ditions pertaining to the fire fighting apparatus and efficiency of same, fn-
 herited by the accession of the various
 municipalities.
 At Pratt City we found a new one third size horse engine and combina-
 tion hose wagon, 4o0o feet of new hose and other material sufficient to serve present needs, but no organization The arrangement for taking care of the iremen and apparatus Is totally in- adequate. In fact. the entire building | arrangement should be looked into and
 changes made to meet condition created by the annexation of this municipality.
 Realizing the necessity of some change
 l took the liberty to stop the work on the city building. pending instructions from your honorable body. I suggest that you appoint a committee to confer with the chief of the fire department | and the Mayor. with instructions to
 report back recommendations at your next regular meeting.
 | We also found two teams of horses | purchased for this department from Fies & Sons on December 31. 1909. One | horse is in very bad condition, and I the decision of the chief is that the other pair is entirely too small. I called on Messrs Fies 6 Sons and re-
 quested that they take the horses back
 and supply the city with four other horses when they are needed. We de-
 cided that it will require at least three l months to reorgantze and properly equip this station, and hence. as a mat | ter of economy. in addition to oth CT I reasons, it is better to dispose of the l two teams in the manner suggested. l While examining the fire apparatus, | also looked into the water works con-
 dition, and was informed, unofficially, 1 that the water works system of Pratt City has been recently sold to the Bir- | mingham Water Works company. l At North Haven we found no build l ing provided for the fire station. Equip
 ment consists of one new combination | wagon which Is stored with transfer
 company; POGO feet of new hose; no
 horses; no harness; no men.
 EnsIey Well Supplied.
 | Ensley we found supplied with I equipment sufficient to do good work
 and good compleemnt of men, con-
 sisting of six full paid men, under 1 supervision of full paid chief, who also has charge of station located at Wylam. l Some changes are necessary there for | the comfort of the fremen. The city | owns 25-foot lot with two-story
 building thereon, adjoining the fire de- | partment. This property is leased to MT. A. J. Camp for term of eight
 years, which expires on the first day 1 of April, 1913. MT. Camp is willing to terminate the lease for a money con-
 sideration. would suggest that the 1 committee appointed to look into the
 conditions at Pratt City be also au- I . fN to1r K, | termine whether or not to accept the proposition made by MT. Camp. The
 ground floor of this building Is now leased at $40, per month. The second 1 story is vacant. My idea is that this can be utilized as dormitory for the ] firemen, relieving the trouble hereto 1 fore referred to.
 1 Wylam is supplied with a combina- | tion hose wagon and sufficient hose for l present use. Also an excellent pair Of horses in excellent condition. This equipment was formerly used at Ems | ley There are three men at this sta 1 tion; the apparatus Is housed in | building large enough for present uses. West End we find adequately sup piled with machine and hose necessary for all present needs, put deficient in the number of men at present em- ployed
 Elyton has a new combination hose wagon; no station, and no organized department.
 No Need For Auto Engine. Graymont has a new combinati ton hose wagon and 2O00 feet of hose, two horses with swinging harness all located in a conveniently arranged
 new two-story brick building. I learned while on this tour of inspec- tion (unofficially) that on December 31 Graymont made a contract for a