The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-01
MEN To Be DROPPED
IN FIRE DEPARTMENT
HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED
FOrty-Nine Notified Yester-
day-Represents Reduc-
ton in Expenses of
$3940 Per Month

/ teruay tnat aIter the lotn OF august tnen
services for the city would be dispensed
| with. The firemen we're release to bring
the fire department within the appropria-
ton in the budget adopted by the city
commissioners last TUESDAY. sgd Middle
ton, chief of the department, stated that
he never had a more distasteful or diff
cult task in his life than that of designat-
ing the men who were to be dropped
from the department.
The cut in the fire department repre-
sents a reduction of $500 a monm OF the
operating expenses all the stations be-
Ing retained the cut being made In the
number of men in each station. Chief
Middleton made three recommendations
to the city commissioners, the first two
proposing to discontinue several of the
fire stations altogether, the third to de-
tain all the stations and make the re-
duction In the number of men. This plan
was adopted.
Lesser of Evils
In submitting the third plan Chief Mid
dleton stated that the dropping of so
many men would necessarily decrease the
efficiency of the fire-fighting force, but
that he would do his best with the re-
naming men. The city commissioners
went over the several plans submitted by
| the chief with a number of experts. and
| after much investigation chose what they
| believe to be 1.-THE lesser of the three
evils"
The city commissioners held q confer
ence with representatives of the suburbs
and with one exception the suburbanites
accepted the plans of the commissioners
and pledged their cooperation with the
city In making the best of circumstances
and aiding in every way possible in max
ing the several fire stations efficient. 1t
is understood volunteer corps will be
formed in several of the suburbs.
In making the reduction the city com
missoners stated that the result was not
satisfactory to them. but under existing
conditions II had to be done. They fur
Their stated that II any inequalities In
the number of men at the several sta
lions appeared after the plans was tested
out they would remedy them, If possible.
Anticipating the cut in the fire depart
ment number of the firemen began look
ing for other positions and several resig-
nations were handed in by those success
full In getting other jobs.
The total number of the fire-fighting
force retained is ia Total number of
men in the fire department after this re-
duction. including chief. two assistant
Chiefs secretary, two fire inspectors, SUI
perintendent of fire alarms. hydrant in
spector, two repair men and one lineman
total 125.
Men Dropped
The following men were dropped from
the rolls at the following stations
Station 1: E. p. Chastain, $. w. Sims,
w. B. Patterson. J. e. Chappell, ]. M
Murphy.
Station Q: J. w. Bales. M. l. Partin
r. Fuller J. b. Fair. resigned
Station s. w. Dobbs, J. A. Hart
Station 4: L. r. Lucchesi
Station sc. c. Keadle.
Station 6: II. e. Hayes, w. e. Formau,
e. s. Anderson, J. II. Cheney.
Station Z: J. H. Hannah, M II. helms.
Station 8: X. r. Johnson, N. II. Pirkle,
N. w. Crumbley.
Station 81. r. Stark. w. E. Murphy.
Station 10: A. b. Landlord, F. Nj.
Scott E. J. Stringfellow.
Station IL: J. w. McL.aurin, II. Boyles
J. II. Vaughn. resigned.
Station ~: C. d. Bradley, T. J. Yer
non.
Station 13: J. A. Hughes. ]. Robinson,
J. c. Albritton.
Station IA: u J. Townsend.
Station Ii: J. r. Simpson.
Station Is. w. w. burden, II. J. Locke.
Station IT: II. II. Turner. c. L. Simp-
son.
Station 10: w. X. Smith. R. Strick-
land. e. A Searson. X. T. Hooper.
Station 10; w. j. Preston. ]. NJ. Tur-
ner.
Station 20: j. &c. Fair, w. 1. Carter.