New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-07-28
CHICIGOS RISK FROM FIRE.
INSURANCE. COMPANIES WARNED.

OF FIRE UNDERWRITERS TO THE COMPANIES TO
DISCONTINUE BUSINESS THERE UNLESS CERTAIN
REFORMS SHALL BE ASSURED.
Alarmed by the numerous destructive con-
nagratious Chicago whichindicated that there was
something radically wrong in the prevention and e1
ngushug Of fires and the administration OF the Fire
Department the National Board OF Underwriters caused
an Investigation 10 be made by special committee OF
their body who have embodied the results in report
upon the CHICAGO Fire Department. This report states
among other things:
The Chicago rre Department is under the control OF
four persons, Tia Of whom are elected by he people
aud STYLED Commissioners OF Ponce ana Fire. Ine
remaining one Is appointed by the authorities on ne
nomination al the local Board or Underwriters. "A
police matters are deemed OF fhe greatest
not less hvc-siX s OF the time Of the Board Is
gwen tbemthe remaiunE onesINth 70 tIc interests
OF the Fire Dcpartn ana The general Impression lS
that the Board /, managed on ppltc' Usls. ana our
observations through tne Department. coAhrnl 'hi'
view.
There Is 10 question but that the Fire Department is
ne elected by the Board The whole responsibility Is
thrown On the CMef Marshal, while he l, without a
tuority to act All appointments and promotions are
recommended by the Chef aud confirmed % the boaru
and rs the appointments are mainly made Tor pOhlca
rervices Chef Is besleged by politicians In behalf OF
attention 10 the details Of the FIRE Department which
discipline requires. Tne fre warens are also required
against ctz IN subject TO the same political lIn9or
tuui.ies from the friends Of thc accused party me
Marshal purchases all supplies and suprrlntends
the delivery of the same In fact he docs me WORK VI
the whole department, elerea hnincla anu pravSt
Such principle OF organic alton would ne very wen IN
small town. but for city such as Chicago, WIN lts
immense territory and large fire department. u VIII not
answer there should be separate Board OF flfe Com
mis,Ouers organized, VINO could nc hed reSpOu.Dc LOT
their Tue Chief could then he relieved from an
bnrens kept great for viii IA ne Is appointed,
VIZ that the rules governing the department are
strictly enforced, the apparatus KEEP III compete work
ing order the houses property conditioned and reserve
supplies kept On hand 50 as 10 DO a'daOe III 'no Vi
The discipline Of the department is bad, attempt at
order being made. Although there is IA complement OF
men about the houses and the engines and horses are
ut " hen "A
he finds the men sitting or onnglnS ABOUT tne front
seepinC and others smoking Tue men are dl65seu lu
flannel shirts ana panldoonsLn3 coats inuIo rs
badge by which an officer can be dlstlsusheu' ne
is dressed and acts exactly Ike one OF the men, The
position OF officer does not seem TO be appreciated 10y
the heads OF the department, consequently Tue cn Nv
not any respect to superior o. any readiness 10
obey orders Even If high Official OF the depart
ment enters tue men take 10 lolive "i MN ~,
never Offering 10 salute or recognize his position no
system OF street patrol exists the men are not Obliged TO
account for their time, ana no company OF 0tner dl
ever prAclice There l. excellent material IN TINS de-
partnen; II properly handled. but Is useless without
the thorough organization and esprit du corps produced
by wholesome discipline.
The dre-alarm telegraph works very well, the ma
chlnery being in good condition, but dingerons lea-
ture is the wires fastened To the roofs OF build
ings TAis should be altered at once ana the wires
placed on poles Toe supply OF water Is very gooo'
most OF the hydrans showing about p pounds pressure
not so great the pipes being smaller The small pipes
are however being replaced by larger ones very rapd
and II onght TO be an extraordinary fire that would
cross The buildings III the business portion Oh
NOT many Mansart roofs, but the immense territory
covered with frame structures make the city very In
The system OF fire wardens to whom ia intrusted the
inspection OF buildings does not work satisfactorily
politics interfering with their duties Inc lumber dls-
trct OF Chicago is dangerous locality, immense plies
OF lumber extend far as the eye can reach, ana all
are piled To admit the air. thus making good con,
duciors for fire. The investigation into the origin OF
fres one OF the most important under city govern
ment IL honestly administered has been entirety neg
lected no person being charged with investigation into
the cause Of fires. There is doubt that great many
proper officer to take cognlzance OF such fires the in
cenary can pursue his nefarous business with safety
at any time First From the in1ammable material, OF
which OF the city constructed and the reckless
manner in buildings put up and light material
stored. Second From Its natural situation on HAT
ground without protection from the gales that sweep
with such violence from the prairie on the one SIDE ana
the lake on the other side.
The city should have Fire Department equal TO any
emergency which n far from having. It's plan OF
gauiZatiOn Is entirely defective; It's discipline nothing
IL should be governed by Board OF Commissioners, TO
be selected from that class OF It's citizens who have the
interest Of the whole people at heart aud who would re-
organize It irrespective OF politics and on sound prnc
dnates individually responsible for their acts.
The above report was completed July H. but was not
presented TO the Executive Committee until the 2ls
inst owing to the Of there being meeting Of the
Committee until that date Subsequent events have 80
fully proved the Justice Of the criticisms made in 1t,
that 1t was ordered to be published for the Information
of the members of the National Board Of Fire Under
writers.
At q meeting OF the Provisional Committee OF the
National Board Of Fire Underwriters held the 2lst
inst the report having been presented upon the
dton OF the Chicago Fire Department, the folio wing
resolutions were adopted:
R,solred. That a Special Committee OF three be APP
ponted 70 prepare In form the requirements to be pre-
senIed to the authorities OF Chicago, as prerequisite
fr rho continuance OF business there by the companies
Of the National Board OF Fire Underwriters.
Resolred, That full meeting OF the Executive Com
mttee be convened at these rooms on the Gath inst to
and upon the report OF the SAID Special Com
mittee.
pursuaut to the above the Executive Committee met
ON Saturday when the following report OF the Special
Committee was submitted for consideration aud action
The special committee appointed to consider the re-
mort unnn the Chicago Fire Department, after careful
Examination OF the same present Tor the actOn OF tne
Executiye Committee the following preamble and reso-
uons expressive OF their sense OF what Is REQUIRED
Tor the protection members Of the National Board In
the present emergency They would simply add that
none OF tho requirements in said resolutions are differ
ent those In actual force In Newfork and other
Whereas. 1t APPEARS from report presented TO the
National hoard OF FIRE Underwriters. through s Exec
utye Committee that the condition OF the Fire Depar
OF the City OF Chicago, as 10 erclency ana re
biity IL such 10 alarm TO the members OF this
Board who engaged In the business OF underwriting
Whereas' Tue recent disastrous conAagrations have
fully proved the necessity for greater and more I'M
mediate projections safeguards, ana guarantees to the
property Of that city; and
Whereas 1t IS evident that without these guarantees
the bu.uess of Fire Insurance longer be prose
cuted m said city without again endaugerng the capital
OF the companies nsurng therein, and thereby enalng
upon both and the public great loss there
R,soirsd That the National Board OF Fire Under
| writer's with a view a protection OF Its members
from needless and overwhelming disaster, do hereby
Board discontinue the business OF nrs insurance IN
the CITY OF Chicago ana after the LIST day OF October
proxImo unless the following projections and reforms
Il. tnneaI n tute al m aal1 N