New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-04-24
PRESIDENT oAKLEY's ADDRESS.


MES and thanked the various State auxares for their
efforts The Board composed OF 81 State local boards
each working in harmony with the National Board, ana
each State divided into Subdivisions throughout the
sarrtory of each State There 500 local boards
with over 1000 members throughout the different sec
0ns Of country. The great difficulty has been 10 sue
seed in carrying the agents throughout the differ
emit States-mOre than all the different local
Noards and the public. The local boards and the public
we're willing paw all increased rates demanded but
the great difficulty to get the cooperation OF the
agents who opposed the increased rates, doubtless
through selfish motives Although the rates have been
advanced 10 what IS deemed safe basis yet some
equalization yet TO be fixed The advance rates are
essential the sovency Of company and those VINO
oppose these changes which the last 60 years have
demonstrated indispensable for the safety OF the com
pany are enemies OF all the interests. In
deed yet claimed by that the rates should sun
order insure the permanent safety OF
the companies.
The attention of underwriters has been directed TO the
building laws existing the large cities Of the coun-
try since we had 10 contemplate the destruction
Of large and most valuable portions of great cities by
single fires for have TO believe that faulty
construction poor materials, and the excessive use OF
wood and other combustble substances were elements
which contributed largely 10 the rapid destruction of
property The result Of acareful examination OF most
those in at the time Of the burning OF
Chicago showed great lack Of precaution against ca
taunity In TACT, Win tDe exception OI NeW-1orA,
no large city had law winch even remotely
provided for the erection of superior build
ings calculated in time Of trial, to resist fire;
and even in New-York tho law rendered almost
uugatory by the manner in which 1t has been admins
tered BY the individual efforts Of some insurance
sacers IN view Of the great crisis In that city good
secured in Chicago, which has led TO the cree
ton OF better class Of buildings than ever before
sraeed It. Tue Boston law, while fully providing for the
thickness OF walls wholly neglected to provide for pro-
lection upon the tops Of the buildings by proper divs
walls extending through their roofs and at the same
allowed piles Of timber TO be used in the con.
struction Of roofs, with coverings but outside
layer Of slate which ready to crack and fall at the
rs approach OF fire. The law since BOston's great fire
should be; sun allows wooden Mansards, provided
are-walls are carried above the roof. 1t rs evident
therefore that Boston to be rebuilt properly, IL
be outside of its laws There should bea compelling law
tn city the construction OF parapet walls
betvee dwellings, for It is the speakers knowledge
that there score or more OF rows OF hrstelass
dwellings from 20 70 SO each IN pEnber, and all having
ansaTd roofs and located in the best of that
city exposed to destruction by single fire from these
the rows In Philadelphia. recent examinations have
shown that sarlng and eTaSons OF even The
,he building hsPecoTs whose duty was to enforce IT,
be the smaller ones
GOOD LAWS RIGIDLY ENFORCED.
Owners OF property, builders, and architects alike,
seem have been willfuly blind TO the immense risks
they imposing upon property by the modern style
building, which, without even beauty OF 10
recommend IT, has obtalned IN this country. Even the
insurance interests though somewhat alive to the dan
ger, afraid 10 assert their knowledge, and decline
ntude penalty has been paid for thus neglect Of
duty at fearful price oy us al Inc IsCS ~ ana We
subject OF the construction Of buildings have been too
Europe it is different. Not only does the government
make proper laws on this important subject but II en-
Them and in the cities Of Paris, Vienna Florence
Berlin Amsterdam Dresden, and Madrid, the Govern
nent maintains constant and very careful supervision
Ross of erection or alteration, no mere poll
Ihians, speculative builders, civilians being
allowed 10 have voice ~ the matter IL Is hopeful
sign that the public press SEEN 70 nave a%skenea 70 inc
I'll our gteat cities discussing the question of
safety IN building with marked earnestness cannot
dali awaken healthful public opinion on this vital
subject have taken pans 70 collect the laws OF all
ihe leading European cities ia regard 70 buildings aud
Aaye gwen them careful reading, and DO not IND any
rovisOns in them that II would not be IN our power 10
tngrat upon our lave and enforce ana we might 1hen
adephia Of our age might be NewHork or fnaeei-
Rhia OF the next
Certainly a subject which should command the
attention OF the representative underwriters assembled
ing centeTs Of the country. We do mucn TO shape
Iegislsuon that would benefit not only inter
asf the whole country, by securing such wise and
saluary laws a. might prevent the recurrence OF other
FIRE Underwriters nave already taken the initiative
with the help OF the American Institute Of Archi
sect framed law which as now before the Legislature
81 New.York awaiting action. should It not be de,
zillbe model for future legislation in other cities
TAXATION AND BUsNEss RESULTS.
Raferring the taxation OF insurance companies 10y
ne slstes the President stated that many OF the
sies the percentage Of taxation levied upon premiums
,xoeeds the profits realized by the companies during
.ees Of years the business Of ,these States The
es do not ask for exemption from taxa
on Int they do ask that they shall not be taxed
hi they and pay TO the citizens Of the State
ne them and while paying nominal tax or a small
peTcenae gross receipts, are really paying an ex
DrbtzntOne The first recognition which We hnd Of an
rincple III taxation comes In the recent law
81 The eale Of Indiana where the tax Is Xed at ~ on
sac Sl o. receipts less the losses actually PAID within
he staLe N each year" The taxes should De on the
o&xa receipts instead OF the gross recelps
lpedy change this policy OF taxation rs hoped for
Referring "a the lack OF uniformity Ia inc printed por-
fous policies he said that the subject had en-
gnged tne antop Of the Board m years ana
II 1865 PIC policy was reported wheh war adopted
"a the beai adapted TO the genera wants Oh tue
e1panies This gradually entered into aeneral use be-
fOre close % that year, but IN 1869 vas found thst
sose OF the eOnd5 uoDs clauses or the original form
been modified or altered TO meet ndGG e"s Ia
20 in corporate PEI theories OF certain n9
urgca tue 70 adopt form OF policy tDAt WOuld
give confidence u kosurers and protection 70 the COLD
rbe results OF The business 1877 include the balance
al BOsio6, the late Pell2o al whlch me
a. me latter city wcnereacheG prevented their pay
,, the Beginning Of the prtsent year. IL Will there
@ fbe results OF 1873 complete the record Of
,he NO great historic G&LaInltes OF 1871 and 1874
T,1ble No l-Divide nds show the average OF NV /
80 dining the pas year 70 have been 3lOQ for
NeW-YOfk hiate cODpegpet' LSlG iot paLles VI
Stl - s7i fhows falDDg Of IElOO for New-York
900 coupanjes and 92S ess Tor companies OF other
sS1 ne better result by the companies OF New.
~ sriseS from the fact thai very large number OF
te eopa1,e t Of ns Were able % make her usual DIV
s@ends Ie average for the IL years Ior Ne"-l0A etse
ne 400 agansa u 6l0O and for both
of no 81 against ~ Soo Ior he same ue'
Table No Of PTemS ~ losses paid 70 premiums for
York State oompspts u ~ M iS
Of other states 60 tsloo i0 % 81 soo against s. sc5
iast yeai, aud giving krah vssr. Of ous Isst tae