The New York herald., 1874-10-05
FIRE INSURANCE IN CHICAGO.
Address to the People by the Executive
Committee of the Citizens Associa-
uiOn-Ehat the City Will Sustain
from the Action Of the National Board.


From the Chicago Inter-Ocean Sept. 2S.
The following address has been issued by the Ex-
ecutive Committee o the Citizens Associations
To THE BUSINESS MEN AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF
Understanding a part of our duty to consist in
calling the attention OF the community ron time
TO time, as occasion may require. 10 matters which
demand the action OF citizens, and feeling that the
present emergency growing out OF our imperfect
protection against ire, calls or the most energetic
and unirlng effort On ne part OF every individual
Identified with Chlcago's interests we desire to
place before you some facts bearing the SUBJ
ject, ana to point out what we conceive to be some
OF our duties as cLlZenS IN the hope OF inducing q
speedy adoption OF all possible safeguards. IL Is
Well known that u number ol highly respectable
and influential gentlemen, composing the ma
tional Board OF Underwriters nave recommended
the withdrawal from this city OF all the Insurance
companies under their con trol. TO Whatever de-
gree their precptate action may be open to critl-
cism, aud however Indignantly our pride may
volt ~ their seeming dlctation, the alarming fact
remains that THESE gentlemen decline TO longer
transact business III this city. We characterize 1t
as an alarming fact because they represent by far
the largest and most relaoe insurance interests
OF TINS country together with all The Iorelgn capt.
tai doing business here, ana our commercial
ganiZation IS OF such nature that no large city
can conduct its business without insurance. 1t IS
the foundation stone upon which our CONNER
clal superstructure STANDS. Take 1t away and
the Whole sl stem crnmDles to the ground u dlsor-
gained mass. The question as to whether syS-
TEN thus organized is the best that be adopted
Tor promoting the commercial prosperity OF the
age we cannot discuss Be 1t SO or not, the TACT
that Chicago OF all cities, can least afford to
lnaugurate a new system must be apparent to all.
From the sad experiences OF the last three years
tins community Is painfully aware OF the alarming
possibilities OF connagratlon. The effects OF the
ravages committed cy the great fre oil 1871, not
wltastandlng our wonderful recuperatlon, are
still apparent IN various directions, and win be for
years 10 come. the nre oil last July caused us the
peculiar damage OF absolutely unsettng conf
uence IN our security as city In the minds OF the
people at distance; although we of Chicago
breathed more freely after it, knowing 1t to have
swept away the danger tnat most threatened us.
Confidence not only IN its integrity, but also IN its
oh fV II aI m
commercial existence OF any community. The
only way IN which this confidence can be restored
to US Is by taking prompt measures to recall the
protection these insurance gentlemen have with
urawn rom US.
1t may not be supernuous to point out in detail
some OF the injuries that Will result 10 this city
should the action OF the underwriters be persisted
IN 1or any length OF time.
The credit OIL our merchants Will be mpaired,
and the large stocks OF goods that now attract the
trade OF the West will shrink to meagre proper
tons. Already the order 10 'leduce stockn has
been given IN some OF our large houses. Manuiac-
turers and importers are unwilling to intrust
their merchandise to community unable to pro-
cure inoemntty against loss by fire. The immense
grain trade that now centres here viii seek other
markets, and our elevators Will stand empty. our
vessels Will seek other ports or lie IDLE at our
docks. Parties will not come here to engage in
In business enterprises wlta such risks and disad-
VantaeeS TO encounter The how OF capital into
our city Tor loans and investment will be checked,
for capitalists VIII not invest where insurance pro-
lection IS not afforded to property. In lact, the
general growth and prosperity OF city Will be
interrupted, and shadow VIII rest upon us.
la view OF these considerations, we feel tnat
every good citizen should be aroused to q lull
realization OF the magnitude OF the emergency,
and throw all his energy and influence into a
united effort to ward of this most damaging blow.
We should not linger even To discuss the matter,
but hasten to consummate the reforms already IN
augurated and III view when the action OF the
National Boardn was taken.
We should instruct our representatives in the
Common Council to vote for protection. and our
oiilcal boards TO remove every obs acle tnat
stands In the way OF absolute reform, In terms
that they snail realize viii tolerate no further de-
lay. Some OF them, no DOUBT, are deserving OF
grave censure Tor not heretofore providing better
means for our protection; but we should remem-
oitenest sung In their ears. Let US now instruct
them to tax us as lightly as possible consistent
with complete protection. Dut give Us protection
at whatever cost. II II snail be found that legal
objections, which cannot now be overcome,
prevent the raising OF necessary funds by
our authorities "a contingency we do not antci.
pate) let US advance them; we should not day
longer, even by Implication, be parties to the
criminal negligence that permits oniy q four-inch
water main twhch two engines viii EXHAUST OF
water) IN streets lined on either side with build
ings and merchandise valued at millions. We
best building law and the most efficient fire de-
partment TO he found in this country We can
AFFORD nothing less than such an absolute condi-
ton of safety that these gentlemen who have
withdrawn rom US, taking with them the protec-
ton we so much need, shall return laden with
cheap insurance.
Although the citizens Association cannot, as an
organization, take any ordinary political action,
we would urge upon all good citizens OF either
party the further imperative duty OF attending
the primary elections now near at hand, and OF
using every EFFORT 10 place In power men thy
TO be entrusted with public AFFAIRS; it being the
only means OF securing permanent reform.
We would state, as matter OF Information upon
which urge immediate action that the Board
OF Public Works VIII at once place water mains Of
proper capacity In any street where they are insu-
hcient upon the property owners advancing the
trinng sum OF 81 90 per loot winch sum, in most
cases. Will be saved many times over in one year
by the reduction in insurance premiums IL VIII
secure. We are pleased TO add that the owners
OF property on some streets are already awaiting
themselves OF the protection thus profiered.
Any individual can INFORM himself with regard
to the farming inadequacy OF the water mains by
consulting map now hanging in the rooms oil our
association, showing the dimensions OF the pipes
In eacn street throughout the city
In conclusion permit US TO say That such reforms
as are now neeued in the community can In no
way be so speedily accomplished as through or
ganized effort. In the Cltlzens' Association we
have an organization through which all may work,
and we again invite into Its membership every
Interested person.
The EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
OF THE CITIZENS' ASSOCIATION.