The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-07-31
n INDIGNATION of widespread scope

1T INDIGNATION of widespread scope II expressing a storm of protest S from business and professional men and women has swept Birming- ham following announcement of the attempt by Commissioner w. B. Cloe to fire Assistat Chief J. A. Browning and Capt. l.. H. MOTHS veteran fire fighters. Indications are that the flood of indignation Will not ebb until favorable action Is taken by the city commission tomorrow 70 frustrate the plans of the puoile safety head to disrupt tho depart ment.
 That the storm of protest is i'm minent is contained in statement by underwriters and agents, supple menting those of private individuals and the expressed determination or civic organizations to publicly con demn action already contemplated which does not forestan the pro posed action which Is already said by the commissioner to become ef- fective August l.
 Commission to Meet
 However, the city commission meets on the date the two men are scheduled to sever their connection with the department and If no fa- vorable action is taken by the com mission civic organizations have eN pressed intentions of calling gi- gantic mass meeting to arouse Inter est to save the department from em- barrassment. From general discus sion, the public also views with dis favor the also contemplated aetie ( eff retiring Chief S. A Middleton wAen he rounds out his 25 years of serv- ice with the department next No vember when he is eligible for re tirement but still active in dischatg- Ing his duties. The commission, 1t Is said, will not consent to the chiefs retirement, but this is not understood to come before the com. mission tomorrow.
 Housenl's Statement
 w. B. Houseal, president of tn , Birmingham Fire and Casualty In surance exchange views the situa- ton with disfavor and in view of the unfortunate situation yesterday is- sued the following statement:
 There has been a disposition ny Commissioner Cloe to disregard the advice of those experienced in the operation of fire departments. He has assumed the position that he is capable of judging the merits of the men in the department, and permits men to come direct to him with their complaints rather than through usual channels.
 "The record of the fire department under Chief Middleton has brought favorable comment from the Na- tional Board of Fire Underwriters, because it has been only since he assumed charge that Birmingham has enjoyed a favorable record. ana the citizens may feel assured that sucn action as has been recently taken and thaat contemplated cannot help but react unfavorably upon them,
 "Insurance cost is based upon losses over a period of years and 1t could hardly be expected that a re- duction In rates would be made In the face of the tearing down of a proved efficient organization.
 Review City's Pnst
 "A committee of fire underwriters came to Birmingham In 1913 and stated to the agents and officials that unless conditions improved the companies would discontinue bust ness. The city at that time had the worst record of any in the United States and such condition reflected unfayorably upon the city as whole The Birmingham exchange was or- ganized for the purpose of betterini