The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-06-11

In disregard to the supliant prayers
of a delegation of lumber dealers, the
city commission yesterday afternoon
adopted the fire-proof roofing ord-
| nance, better known as the "anti-shin-
gle" ordinance. The vote was unani-
nous.
commission over more strenuous pro-
| test than was furnished by the lumber
and roofing dealers yesterday, headed
| by ]. H. Eddy of the Kaul Lumber COM
pany, as spokesman. At one time it
appeared as If the opponents to the
ordinance had made an impression for
Commissioner Weatherly appeared in
clined to grant them at least few
| days to present their side of the case
more fully. They asked for 80 days.
The commissioners had fully made
| up their minds before the meeting con-
vened. however, to adopt the ordinance.
They did so with the provision that 1t
shall not go into effect until October |,
1913, and that anytime before that the
lumbermen and roofing dealers can
appear before the commission and pre-
sent arguments on the matter and If
they can convince the commission that
the ordinance is mistake and an error
| 1t will be Immediately repealed.
Shingle Roofs Not Prohibited
| The ordinance as a matter of fact
does not prohibit shingle roofs. 1t does
demand under the penalty of the law
that fire proof material be used in the
construction of all new roofs within
the city limits from the time the law
becomes effective Chief Bennett of the
fire department, the author of the or
dinance and it's chief champion, states
that he knows of no shingle roof that
is fireproof nor of any preparation that
will make wooden shingle roof fire
proof.
Mr.. Eddy and others of the delega-
tion contended that they had not had
sufficient time to present their side
of the case and that all they wanted
was fair trial, an opportunity to sub
NIT data and disprove the contentious
of the other side.
President Exum stated that this mat
ter had been hanging fire before the
commission now for year and a half
and that he saw no reason for further
delay. The delegation insisted it would
work hardship on them and on the
public at large and that they could
prove 1T If given a chance. Mr.. EXum
carried on the larger part of the argu-
ment for the commission and he stated
that the insurance rates In this city
depended upon some action being taken
at once, that several inspections had
been made by fire insurance men and
societies and that they had plainly
| stated something must be done to
remedy the enormous fireslosses in this
city or they would be compelled to
take drastic action themselves
Shelby FavOrs Measure
A paper was read by Robert Ewing.
chairman of the insurance committee of
the board of trade, in which the commit
tee recommended the adoption of the or
dinance. and President j. E. Shelby of the
board of trade stated that it was impera-
tive that something be done now. "If the
insurance rates are raised 1t will be much
harder to decrease them than it will be to
keep them from increasing. This matter
hurts some of the members of our or
ganization, but nevertheless We cannot
help but urge something be done at once"
Chief Bennett and others spoke on the
| merits and demerts of the ordinance, and
finally w. II. Hackney, president of the
Alabama Fire Prevention society. which
| recently made an inspection of the city,
TOOK the fOOr and stated that he mad the
data for which the opponents of the or
dinance wanted a delay that 1t might be
secured. He read data on the fire loss here
and in other cities, showing that in the
last three years In Birmingham the per-
centage of loss from shingle roof fires in
this city has been 50. 54 and 55 per cent
annually. constantly increasing. In New
Orleans he stated the entire fire loss was
not much more than half as large as Bir-
min ,VI1o nm Or.1ao
| than twice as large as Birmingham.
| Considerable more argument along the
same lines was presented by both sides
before the unanimous vote of the COM
mission made the ordinance law.
! The lumber and roofing dealers expect
| to appear before the commission within
the next few weeks and endeavor to Sc
cure the repeal of the ordinance.
The Ordinance
The ordinance in full is as follows:
IAN ordinance to establish fire district
or limits No. 8, and to provide for the
use of fireproof roofing materials therein.
"Be It ordained by the board of COM
missioners of the city of Birmingham:
Section l. There is hereby established
fire district or limits No. 3, which shall
include all that portion of the corporate
limits of the city of Birmingham not now
included in any fire district or limits OF
said city
Sec. 2. After October 1, 1918. all roofs
constructed reconstructed or repaired on
any building in said fire district No. .
shall be constructed. reconstructed. re-
paired or covered with fireproof material
or materials; provided. that II any ROOT