The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-08-17
Repeal of Present Roofing
Ordinance Is Urged by
Large Delegation
FIRE TEST is MADE
BEFORE COMMISSION
Representatives of Composition and
Fireproof Roofs Present Their
Side of the Case

The commissioners will hold a meeting
merits and dement's of the roofing prob
lem. This was decided after an all-day
wrangle as to whether or not the present
ordinance requiring property owners to
repair or cover their roofs with fireproof
materials instead of the wooden shingle,
should be repealed.
The commission will meet this morning
at o'clock to decide whether or not they
will suspend the present ordinance, pend
ing the result of the meeting next week.
Practically the entire day was consumed
by the arguments raised in favor of the
wooden single instead of composition
roofs. The morning session began prompt
ly at 8 o'clock and adjourned at 1890
The afternoon session lasted from 2
o'clock until 5 o'clock.
Fully $50 citizens were present at the
morning session and many took part in
the discussion. j. H. Eddy, secretary of
the single committee of the Southern
Pine association, was the first speaker
He stated that the wooden shingle roof
was as safe as the composition one and
that most of the home builders wanted
wooden shingles in preference to any,
thing else.
INNUENDOES TABOOED
A ripple of excitement occurred when
G. B. Kiely made the remark that it
appeared that Chief Middleton repre-
sented some of the roofing companies"
Commissioner Ward arose and stated that
the commission did not intend to allow
anyone present to indulge in innuendoes.
IF any man has any direct charges to
make, let him prepare them in manner
so that he can substantiate them with
facts he said.
Joseph Loveman and Commissioner Bar
Der took issue with Mr.. Kiely for the
remark he made in regard to Chief Mid
dleton. Mr.. Kelly explained that he
merely said at appeared that way" and
that he was willing to withdraw what he
said. Chief Middleton said he had done
nothing more than to tell persons ask
ing for information regarding roofing
where 1t might be obtained, and that he
never mentioned any particular firm or
concern
The majority of speeches were to the
effect that shingles were cheaper and more
satisfactory than composition roofing.
Thornton Estes, A. G. T. Moore, w. D.
Wood, R. T. Huffman and scores of
others spoke for the shingles c. A. Han
kle and l.. M. Wheeler, representatives of
those advocating shingles instead of the
composition
PRACTICAL TEST
Roy I. Huffman of the Empire Paint
and Contracting company made a DEM
onstration before the commissioners dur
ing the afternoon session. He lighted a
blow torch and applied a wooden Single
painted with a fireproof paint to the
flame. 1t took 5h minutes for 1t to ig-
Mite composition single was then
placed against the flame and it ignited
in one minutes and five seconds A heart
pine shingle withstood the flame for
eight minutes before igniting
The large attendance of yesterdays
meeting evidences the fact that many cit
liens are interested in the final outcome
OF the controversy. decision will prob
ably be reached next Tuesday, after the
open meeting, at which the insurance
men Will present arguments in favor of
the present anti-shingle ordinance