The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-03

l 4olB tour or the clty, VlSlt every one of the 19 widely scattered stations and in- sI ect the equipment and organization.
 I enjoyed such an opportunity yester- day
 With Chief Bennett in his big black gasoline belching terror of the road l made this trip over the city We cov- cred more than 50 miles. The territory covered extends from East Lake to Wy lam and from North Birmingham to West End.
 Yesterday was pay day for the fire men. and as is his custom, the chief delivered to every individual employe in the department his pink slip calling for his months salary.
 After paying off the men at station No. at the city hall we dropped down to l No. on Third avenue. This is what is 1 known as Greener station. the third sta tion built in Birmingham in what was then known as West End. The station has just been replaced with a handsome rev brick building, one of the best in the city
 Next we climbed to No. il, an automo- bile station, on Fountain Heights. This Is also a new station and Is neat as a pin. Next we dropped down to No. on North Nineteenth street. This is one of the original standbys of the city.
 Our next step was over some mighty bad streets, now being improved. to North Birmingham. This station bears the some times fatal number 13 but I am told that nothing serious has ever happened to il. Indeed, Chief Bennett declares that No 13 Is one of the most satisfactory stations in the department. It has a fire occasionally. but can you imagine what life to the f1remen would be with out fire?
 Next we climbed the hill, passed the palatial home of Standpat Walter Moore. and ambled like an Iowa whirlwind i through 'The Placid Place" Here we found and delighted the pocketbooks of the bright young men who stand between the people of Norwood and the fire fiend. | This is station No. g, and one of the prettiest of the bunch. How could it be otherwise, located as it is?
 We then dived through the Terminal subway and handed the pink slips to the men at No. on Twenty fourth street between Second and Third avenues
 With a word of sympathy and advice to a member of the company suffering with an injured arm the chief "cranked up." ard We took the Twenty-frst street bridge with half breath and paid our respects as we'll as some of the citys money to the boys of No ?, the second oldest station in Birmingham. This station occupies the building that was erected as fire sta- tion and city market in 1885, Here Is the headquarters of W. P. Walton, as- sistant chief of the department.
 Cur next move was through "Spagetti- town to station No. at Behrens park TLis is a small station, but one of the gamest in the service
 We then sought out Eleventh avenue and though we fingered but briefly in thIs semi-elite thoroughfare every native was made aware that the chief had passed that way. q do not mean to in sinuate that the chief exceeded any speed limits. He has none.)
 At No. 3, just off Five Points, the chiet seems to finger for an extra minute or two. This is home He organized the station and was captain here when he was promoted to the head of the de- partment. He has a special and pardon able fondness for the place. though he shows no partiality in administering the affsirs between the different stations
 After fixing the boys next at No 8 on Lendon street, just off Highland ave- nue, we braced ourselves for long run to Avondale, No. 10. This is one of the stations acquired by Birmingham in the enlargement of the city. It is well | full and efficient corps of men.
 Next was Woodlawn No 12 This sta ton occupies one of the handsomest and most expensive buildings in the suburban n | places, and is also one of the best fire l fighting organizations.
 | Reaching and satisfying the boys at | East Lake, No. 19, the highest number on the list, required but a few minutes and then we were ready for the long run to Greymont. This station is called No IA. Only three men are in charge. but | t is one of the neatest little stations | in the city. These three men know how I 10 fight a fire and they count like a dozen | i'll an emergency.
 | west End, No. 15, came next on the l list. The feature of the run from Grey mont to West End was two schools at | tlay. It was the noon hour and the chil- dren at the Elyton and West End public schools were on the playgrounds. These are promising children, every one of them as bright and healthy as American Beau ty roses. The great number puts to rest any charge of race suicide that might be put forward against this section or the city. m | West End station, No. 15, is worthy of special mention. The three young men in charge of this station seem to spend ali their spare time in grooming the | horses and shining the harness, as well as the premises. Red and Grover" '" the horses, are as fine specimens of l fputlessly groomed beauty as can he found in Birmingham. Chief Bennett ex- fessed his appreciation of the evident pride the men are taking in the equip ment
 II Our next run was to Wylam, the town of hills and Scottish chvalry. Vivian is
 wonderfully and fearfully made, but it is attractive nevertheless. To reach this place we had a dellghtful-scorch-ou the old Bessemer pike, by the fair grounds and through beautiful Fairview. We also touched Corey and got a keleidoscopic view of some of the great, pulsating man. | ufacturine plants that are making Br-
 nngham famous. Wylam station is No IT.
 From Vivian we dropped back to Ems