The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-25
NATIONAL BOARD OF FIRE UNDERWRITERS
Action Of the Board in Reference to Local
Boards, State Boards the Building Laws
Fires and Incendiarism-A Reward
Fund Started for the Suppression
Of Acknowledgements Of Pay
naturalization Of Officers
for the Ensuing Year.

The National Board OF Fire Underwriters resumed
their session yesterday at halfpast ten O'Clock A.
NJ, in the Underwriters Hall, 156 Broadway. A
crowded representation OF the delegates OF the
various boards OF the Union was present. The
President, MT. a. A. Oakley, presided After the
reading OF the minutes by the Secretary, the
chairman OF the Committee on
LOCAL BOARDS
submitted his report. The subject which showed
that, where local boards had not been thrown
open for necessary investigation, fraudulent meas
ures had frequently been taken and difficulties
had arisen on account OF the interference OF sew
eral smaller agencies, created prolonged discus
siOn
Resolutions were OF length adopted providing
for the appointment OF special agents to supervise
and examine the affairs OF local agencies on Occa-
sion, and report whether the maintained in good
faith the rates fixed by the Board. Agents were to
be obliged to submit their regstries and books to
the inspection Of these special agents, whose ex-
animation was to be strictly confidential and CON-
municated only to the Executive Committee Of the
Board. Complaints received by companies from
local agents were to be forwarded to the general
agent. The past efforts OF the Executive Com
mittee In this matter were endorsed.
THE COMMITTEE ON STATE BOARDS
reported that, after giving due attention and care
ful examination to the system now in force, they
had no changes to suggest but submitted the FOL
lowing resolution
Resolved, That it be referred the Executive Com.
Method Of operation Of the Stale Boards as may from
paid By The National Board
The Committee on
BUILDING LAWS,
Mr.. G. Crowell, Chairman, reported that they had
given all the attention to this matter that the
time permitted, and that the provisions of the law
relating to the subject now before the Legislature
ofthe State OF New York appeared to be wen con-
specting Mansard roofs, parapet walls, sodity of
walls, with reference to their height and depth, iron
able, and as important for other cities as for New
York, II the purpose were to build cities SO as to
render them less liable to be destroyed by fire.
The committee recommended that copy Of the
law referred to be furnished TO the Board OF Under
recommendation that efforts be made to secure the
adoption OF laws OF a kindred character, and that
the Board OF Underwriters take measures to secure
compliance with them.
FIGHTING FIRE WITH EXPLOSIVES.
The following resolution offered by the committee
on fires was adOpted:-
Of s9pS S M ss
% Of NEW % 9 20 .ns fye them
inteigently and effectively to explosives to arrest
he Fire Dc sent to the various boards
ey lake 10 wn the @
liar bodies In their respective cities.
1NCEND1AR1SM
was the next subject brought up for discussion be-
fore the Board, and lively debate ensued. One
tall, lOng-visaged, energetic insurance man SAID
the crime of arson would be ''as rare as white
crows" were there no insurance on buildings.
Several arose spontaneously and simultaneously
to pledge their contributions to fund for the cap
ture OF incendiary criminals, and resolutions were
accordingly passed providing for the creation of
q fund OF one hundred thousand dollars or more
for the detection, conviction and punishment of
incendarles and the Offering OF rewards not to
coed 81 900 in each particular case.
The following resolution in reference to
ADJUSTMENT OF PAYMENTS
OF losses was then adopted
Resolved That payments adjusted losses before ma.
turity shall not be authorized by
the consent in writing Of majority in interest having
been previously received
Mr.. Locke chairman OF the Committee OF the
New York State Board read his report, which was
referred to the Executive Committee.
The Committee on Nominations made the fol-
lowing report OF nominations OF officers For
President, Henry A. Oakley; Vice President, L. J.
7. Bagden. For Executive Committee-Stephen
Crowell, OF New York; Ezra White, of New York;
Ed. A. Walton, OF New York; George L. Chase,
OF Hartford; Henry Kellogg, or Hartford; Charles
Platt, OF Philadelphia; Alfred G. Baker, OF Phila-
delphia; Z. G. Rouse, OF Cleveland d. +. Wilcox,
OF Columbia, Ga. Dwight r. Smith, of Springfield,
Mass. c. H. BlgelOw, Of st. Paul, MINI.
The above nominations were confirmed Dy the
vote OF the Board.
The President in brief but very kind and CON-
plimentary address, thanked the Board for their
attendance and punctuality, also for his reelection
and then pronounced the Board adjourned sine die.