The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-16

the proper care of the veterans at the approaching reunion. and told what the police and firemen were doing under his direction. He began with the police and firemen:
 "The chief OF the fire department" said Commissioner Barber. ''has invented a new device for fighting fires. He has ordered all his men to go to the source of the flames. regardless of personal canger and there to use the spray hose. This saves a great deal of property by protecting the contents of the house."
 EFFICIENCY OF POLICE
 Concerning the efficiency of the police department, Commissioner Barbr said;
 T was out until o'clock Saturday morning dircting the work of the police. l also was out last night at the opera seeing that everything was done in order. found Chief Martin Eagan and many members of the force on the job, and the opera crowds were better handled than previously. On Saturday night, when I was out amongst the men, my subordinates also informed me that it was the quietest Saturday nights in months in regard to criminality'
 Commissioner Barber is the offical head of the police and fire departments
 In regard to the statements of Commis- sioner Barber in the commission confer ence on the good the police and fire departments were doing Commissioner Ward said:
 It is just as have always contended that the right man-and the ability of Commissioner Barber is inquestioned-can always do the work. In the old days I was told gambling and crime could not be suppressed, but MT Barber has shown us how to do it."
 Commissioner Hornady then read from the report of the health department in a manner that reflected great credit on Commissioner Barber.
 The health officer reports that there was but one homicide in Birmingham in January" said Commissioner Hornady and this clearly shows the great pre- ventive work of Commissioner Arlie Bar Der The health officer reports the death rate was u.66 per thousand. This shows that people are reluctant to leave a city so ably protected as Birmingham. And the health department shows that the birth rate was 1904 per thousand. This shows that more people want to come here than want to leave it. The high birth rate as reported by the health officer is attributed entirely to the efforts of the police and fire departments under the able direction of Commissioner Bar Der. Tt shows that people are in a hurry to get to Birmingham from the time of birth, owing to the high efficiency of protection hereabouts On the whole, gentlemen, must join in encomiums of the police and fire departments as di- rected by MT. Barber"
 OTHERS CONGRATULATE HIM
 Both Commissioners Weatherly and Truss also congratulated Commissioner f1oo l1s.~ by the police and fire departments and suggested that now that these depart ments had shown an ability to handle themselves, MT. Barber should diversity and extend his executive genius to other civic departments that needed attention
 After the commissioners had ceased praising his efforts, Commissioner Bar Der modestly continued;
 q will continue to give my personal attention to police details For the Symphony concert have arranged that there shall be police officers and fire men at every exit to properly handle the crowds. There shall be safety. Tn fact the word can be passed throughout the city that anyone can attend the theatres in perfect calm and feel as- sured that in case of fire the police and firemen will be on the job at the right time"
 Then Commissioner Barber changed the subject and requested information of the commission on the proper care of the Confederate Veterans during the approaching reunion:
 I've want to do everything possible for the comfort of the veterans" said Commissioner Barber. T have several plans in mind, but I really would like the assistance and advice of the board in this particular instance. I will be pleased at any suggestion that the com missioners may make.
 The commission hastened to inform Mir Barber that any plans he saw fit to put in action would be highly satis- factory.
 REGULATION OF FABRICS
 Then the question of clothes came up and Commissioner Barber leaped to the front with:
 "The people ought to know what kind of clothes they are paying for. And I shall let them know it."
 This came up when the women's civic board, through Mrs R. Dupont Thomp- son. reported on the pure fabric ordi- nance, or proposed ordinance. Commits sioner Barber moved for its adoption but the matter was referred to the welfare committee of the civic board for further action.
 It was then that the great gasoline conspiracy atthacted attention.
 T started talking to lower the prices of gasoline" said Commissioner Bar Der, "and the defi of the Standard Oil company came in the shape of a 2-cent raise On Friday it was 22 cents a gallon. Today it is "A cents gallon. The battle has started"
 Let's make the license for the big companies" suggested City Attorney Ullman, lon a sliding scale. Every time the price of gasoline goes up 1-cent lets raise the license $1000."
 We ought to do something" said Commissioner Barber, T am generally supposed to stand for the plebians and the prolotariat, but now I want to do something for the patricians and the aristocrats."
 "You want everybody" said MT. Ward.
 well, if the high rollers" replied MT. Barber, "are rolling at too great an expense, I want to protect them and lower the cost of high rolling" By the way. Arlie." said Commits sioner Ward, what Is your message to the people that you are going to de- liver on the streets?" "Oh, am just going to jolly them along" replied Mir. Barber with 8 laugh.
 Have you permit?" asked the president of the commission.
 Yes, you gave me one," replied MT. Barber.
 well it is revocable'
 "Au right, revoke it." shot back