The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-21
ENORMOUS ORDER PLACED FOR NEW
 MOTOR ENGINES City Gets Nine-Fs Largest Order Ever Placed for
 Fire Motors COST S4O,OOO; SAVE
 CITY S3O,OOO A YEAR Within a Short Time Birmingham Will Have 24 Fire Fighting
 Pieces, of Motor-Driven
 Standard

President Culpepper Exum of the Board of Commissioners announced yesterday that nine motor propelled combination chemical and hose fire wagons had been ordered from the Sea- grave company of Columbus, Ohio. The approximate cost of the motor ap- paratus will be about $40,000.
 The order placed yesterday for nine wagons Is a half portion of the general scheme of things to place the fire de- partment upon the most efficient basis and at the same time effect saving of as much money as possible each year for the city.
 By the purchase yesterday it is stated Commissioner Exum will save the city approximately sS0,000 per year and will increase the efficiency of the fire de- pertinent about 40 per cent. The in- creased efficiency Is not expected to be consummated until the city works out the general proposition under the di- rection of President Exum and Chief A. V. Bennett of the department
 Each combination hose and chemical wagon will be equipped with tanks of chemicals which may be released from the wagon and rushed into burning residences or stores. The wagons are equipped with 40 gallon tanks of chem icals each of which Is rapid ex- tinguisher of fire. Each 40 gallons Is equal to 1900 gallons of plain water and Is that much more effective.
 Each of the wagons will have 1500 feet of ordinary fire hose and 250 feet of chemical hose. The wagons will. also have S7 feet of portable ladders.
 Value of Chemicals
 The records of Chief Bennett dis close the amazing fact that last month out of 11S fires, chemicals put out 69, of them. The average monthly record in favor of chemicals Is 65 per cent. It is held that by these wagons the fire men will be enabled to get to fires quicker and with the chemicals will be in position to smother blaze in the most progressive style.
 The fire department has been handi- capped in another way, according to Chief Bennett and that has been in pulling hills. Around Birmingham there are a great many uliiS WAiSh cannot be taken by horse and conse- ouently a great loss of time and en- ergy results at every fire on the steep places. With the new wagons the fire men can mount the hills as easily as level ground and "the way they can get to the fires will be caution," ac- cording to President Exum.
 IJI4:-..x. DIorc
 In addition to the nine wagons ord- cred yesterday it is the ultimate in- tention of President Exum and Chief Bennett to order nine additional wagons of the same type. The city will have when the first nine arrive ? Seagrave fire fighting wagons, two Webb wag- ons or automobiles and one fire en- zine, motor propelled. With the addi- tion of nine in a few months the city will have "A pieces of fire fighting equipment of automobile standard.
 No city in the entire world accord ing to Chief Bennett, has given an order for so tremendous motor driven fre-fghting power. New York is the only city that has even ap- preached the Birmingham order. and that was when that metropolis gave instructions for 12 wagons, but can celed the order when it was found that the equipment was of a faulty construction.
 The most appealing feature of the revolution in the fire department, ac- cording to Chief Bennett, Is the fact that his department will be increased In efficiency at least 40 per cent when the maximum equipment is installed This, he says, will give Birmingham a large lead over other southern cities, and will enable the fire companies do- ing business here to lower the rate of insurance given to Birmingham peo- pie.
 It is explained by President Exum and Chief Bennett that the order given yesterday will cost approximately $40.- O00 but that marvelously easy finan- cial arrangements have been perfected which will enable Birmingham to re- tire the obligation from the savings affected by the installation.
 No Reduction in Personnel According to the light now before