New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-10-05
SOME POINTS IN THE BEECHER CASE.
INSURANCE REFORM.
SURVEYS MAKING OF ALL THE LARGE CTTIES--RE
FORMS TO BE INTRODUCED In OTHER PLACES
VIEWS OF UNDERW RITERS

SURVEYS MAKING OF ALL THE LARGE CrTIEs--RE-
FORMS TO BE INTRODUCED In OTHER PLACES
VIEWS OF UNDERWRITERS.
For some time past agents and officials con
neced with the National Board Of Underwriters have
been making critical survey OF all the principal cities
OF the Union, with view to recommending such i'm
proyements in the method dealing with fires will
prevent the heavy Losses which have so seriously
affected the economic system OF the country.
This examination has been very quietly con-
Quoted, and q number OF reports affecting several
cities have been mace the National Board. The de-
tails OF these reports have been kept from public view
but understood that in several they expose
in q very graphic manner the deficiencies and risks
Of large cities. The intention Of the Board Of
Underwriters 10 TO proceed gradually and eau
tously in applying their theories Of prevention,
as anything like dictation or compulsion In
the matter would be most likely to Illustrate all efforts,
the local pride of the several cities interested being
very great and easily aroused to obsnacy. The reco
mendations will be generally the same in Chicago,
except that there will probably be fewer reforms to in
troluce in the other cities as compared with Chicago
Fire Underwriters said that the action the Board IN
regard to Chicago was not due to the great ire OF last
frequent Chicago during last Spring, and that
the Executive Committee Of the National Board after
O careful investigation of the matter, had submitted
report days before the July fire. recommending the
reforms now demanded Inspections OF all the large
cities Of the country. TO ascertain their condition
IN regard to danger from tre. were actively be-
gun by the National Board early in the Sum-
mer As the work conducted very thoroughly, the
final reports the cities had not yet been received but
other cities 10 was understood had been found In
such condition Justify the Board p applying the
Chicago rules The preliminary reports in regard to the
cities examined were, Op the whole, favorable this city
being IN especially good 0ndition New.York had an
excellent fire department. and any suggestions Of the
insurance companies were always promptly adopted.
The Eastern District OF Brooklyn, Mr.. Oakley said,
was In rs dangerous condition rs Chicago although the
rest Of the city well protected. IL was scarcely
necessary for the National Board 10 take formal action
In regard to IT, however, as the Board companies ndi
vidually had long summed risks in that district the
large re in Greenpoint yesterday probably not occasion
ing loss OF d, 600 In the aggregate.
When the rnal reports Of the City Inspectors
ceived, elaborate report upon tue whole subject will
be made TO the National Board.
Statements published In Chicago that the action
OF the under writer's with reference that city was de-
cded upon previous to the re Of July IL respect
to this, Of the members Of the Executive Boa
stated that at that time such action had been de-
cded upon. Some two months previous that fire
Executive Committee appointed g Special Com
mtttee to 60 to ChioeR0 aud examine tho
ditiOn of the Fire Department. That Committee made
. report N Writing about two weeks before