New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-09-25
TIE GROUNDS OF ACTION.


STATEMENTS OF INSURANCE OFFlCERS-THE AMOUNT
OF RISKS TO BE WITHDRAWN.
The President o. one of the most prominent
fire Insurance companies OF this city stated that
OF the requirements OF the National Board had been
met by the authorities Of Chicago. They had not
reformed the fire department their water service
any apprecaOe extent They had indeed proposed to
expend 100000 the latter reform, when 81 100000
would enough Neither FIRE walls iron shut
ters had been made obligatory. No measures had been
taken to isolate the valuable portion Of the city from Its
immense wooden These reforms the Executive
Committee had insisted upon, but no satisfactory
attempts have been made to meet them. Consequently
the duty OF the companies to their other policy
makes this step necessary. The probability that
the action thus taken would result in the welfare Of Chi
cago the city would probably pass from the hands Of
unworthy people the control OF those likely TO
for The amount 10 which outside
panes interested in Chicago can only be APP
proximated, but the amount Of risks which have been
withdraw, will be in consequence of this action will
not be represented by 40 or 80 COM
panies.
At the Home Insurance Company's office II stated
that 80 companies pledged to retire from business
In Chicago consequent upon this action and that these
companies represent per cent OF the capital Of those
taking risks there. The city authorities seem now to be
waking up to the Importance OF action New-York and
Boston entirely they should be IN respect to
safety from fire. but Chicago very far behind them.
The Fire Department should be entirely freed from
political influence. 1t was not expected that all the
requirements could carried in 80 days. but 10
desired that spirit should be manifested which would
meet them in time. There were few companies which
would continue business there but they were not men,
beers OF the Board, and were generally weak
Thomas H. Montgomery, the General Agent OF the
National Board OF Fire Underwriters, told TRIBUNE
reporter yesterday that II had been evident for some
time that the action taken by the Board on "Wednesday
absolutely necessary as protective measure Inc
authorities OF Chicago had in some Instances utterly ig
nOred the requirements OF the Board ana IN others ney
had made spasmodie efforts at reform Iner reception
of the requirements was very unsatsiactory Inc FIRE
Department sadly lacking III discipline, and was
controlled by politicians IL was true tnat tne autnOrl
ties appropriated $4,000 for the construction aud
placing of water mains aud fire hydrants but the Water
Engineer OF the city, Mr. Chesebrough, asserts that
e2.OOOOOO can be expended on that WORK alone. The
sitnation and TO take the action which they
pIsiny stated in their letter Of last July would
20 the letter Previous the meeting the officials OF
many OF the leading companies had unofheiay informed
draw all their business in Chicago. and hence IL was
concluded that there would be the greatest unanmlty
in taking the advice OF the circular Issued yesterday
Mr. Montgomery felt 1t was perfectly safe to say that
nearly every Of the English companies and all the
leading American companies would take no more risks
In Chicago unless the needed reforms were made.
The President OF the National Board OF FIRE Under
writers Henry A. Oakley, was asked last evening for
the which led 10 the hna action Of the Board
he sad IN reference 70 ag s with Se
corporate limits OF the city that the common council or
Snderwriters have very little conadeneeithat il viii be
carried out because the execution is left to the per-
sons who have refused to cooperate IN the other
improvements The ordinance is a good one without
doubt No building law has been passed. so the second
requirement has been totally ignored The under
writers, however, by exemplary charges have en-
deavored TO bring about the same result, and many
alterations, such putting iron shutters, have been
made In this way. Nothing has been done with regard
TO changes in the Fire Department, and II remains
under the political influence few steamers
have been added. but this Is not regarded as
a great advantage while the discipline OF the De-
calling for an increase the number and size OF water
mains is one which the board consider important
The great stress they laid upon this was shown ID sup
Elemental report that OF July This has never been
published but showed that the water mains OF Chi
cago consisted OF g. and II inch pipe Tue latter
sze is largest used while in New YORK the smallest
size used As 10 inches The smallest sizes through
the leading business streets Hydrants are nu-
enough, but are useless when the
$4,000 has been appropriated TO remedy
this defect but the appropriation Is made IRON water
rents TO Dc received, aud II Will not therefore, DO
available this year. THIS TACT Is gathered from the de-
bates IN tue Common Council Little has been done Ia
this direction by the authorities they have no money
at their command. Some mains IN new streets
gard 10 the other requirements, the establish
ment OF a Fire Marshals bureau aud the re-
mOva Of dangerous establishments, nothing whatever
has been done In conclusion, the underwriters are
not all ndisp0Sed 10 remain IN Chicago provided
OF defense against IRE can be had, all Of them
large and valuable business connections which they
are now cOupee 70 sacrifice. Justice 10 their policy.
holders demands that they should protect them the
absence OF action by the authorities. The National
Board Includes all the English companies having
agencies here nearly all those IA Philadelphia all but
one In Hartford, al the large agency COMPANIES
in HewYOrk, all those In Providence, ana a
large proportion OF those IN R0stoD ana nearly
ali the responsible COM anes In the West among
them the ST. Paul Fire ana Marine, the NORTHWESTERN
National the Traders OF Chicago, the Home OF COlnfn
land The companies the Board represent than
threeourtb OF he capital engaged In the business OF