The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-16
Two Budgets Presented, Both Providing for Ma
 terial Decrease in Men
LANE WOULD KEEP
 CITY PHYSICIAN
Hiring of Doctor to Care for Prisoners Would Be More Costly-Middle- ton Urges Abolition of Seven
 Fire Stations

The heads of two of the large depart nents of the city have filed their plan of reduction, namely the fire and police departments. and in each case the state ment Is made that to reduce either de- a state of inefficiency. Inspector Turner and Chief Martin Eagan submitted two plans of reduction. Budget No. 1 does not carry out the instructions of the com mission to reduce the police force one third. but gives, the above officials state, a fair police service at a saving to the city of s2655 monthly. The second budget cuts the force one-third as proposed, which they contend will seriously impair the effectiveness of the force.
 Commissioner Lane is inclined to the first proposition and stated yesterday he would recommend its adoption by the commission. Both propositions eliminate the position of assistant chief of police. a position held at present by Tom Shir- ley and a material reduction of the force.
 s. M. Middleton, chief of the fire de- partment who submitted two plans of re- ouetioh o1 liic iiic dtpdiinicntr WhiNh were published yesterday, stated to the commissioners that he favored the plan of discontinuing the seven fire substations rather than sweeping reduction of men. He stated that fire apparatus without the proper number of men to handle it would be useless. and that the interests of the city could best be served by having men ayailahle in the case of fire
 Would Retain Whelan
 Commissioner Lane is also opposed to the abolishment of the office of the city physician, stating that the city would be compelled to hire physician to look after its prisoners, and that it would prove more expensive than the salary paid at pl esent. In this connection it is under stood that pr. R. M. Cunningham will retain the position of city health officer if there are any prospects of carrying out his recommendations. He states he Is willing to work six months without pay.
 There are several other departments to be heard from, including the street depart ment. which the commissioners propose to cut one-third
 Thus far every effort to reduce the citys working force to the requirement of the proposed cut has resulted in state ments from the heads of the department that the cut proposed by the commission- CTS will seriously affect its efficiency. However, in each instance they have fol- lowed the instructions of the commission CTS, and state if their recommendations are accepted will do the very best with the force that is left them.
 Commissioner George Ward made a statement yesterday in reference to the proposed appropriation of s9Oo.o0o from the county funds. He contends that it is equitable and just in view of the burden of taxation the county exacts from the people of Birmingham. He also makes an appeal for the increased tax rates. His statement follows:
 Ward Amplifies Appeal
 Birmingham property pays more than s200, 900 cash each year for the up keep and construction of roads and bridges in the county outside of Bir- mingham, so that the Birmingham tax payer has to not only pay for keeping up the streets in the city but pays for most of the cost of the maintenance of the county roads and bridges.
 Tn addition to this the city main tains at large expense a police force which makes thousands of arrests in state cases both inside and outside the city limits. In other words we have in Birmingham what might be called a metropolitan police force. which has to deal with many arrests, etc. outside of purely city matters.
 The city besides this contributes about two- thirds of all the revenues TO- ceived by the county. and the proposed refund of $200,000 from the county to the city would in measure rectify these unjust conditions which are sad dled on the city by existing laws.
 Those paying on valuation of
 Pct