New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-05-23
Local Intelligence.

UNDERWRITERS VS. FIRE DEPARraENr-
At its last regular meeting the City Coun-
Gil renewed it's contract with the Firenen's
Charitable Association to extinguish fires
that may occur in the first four municipal
districts of this city, although the present
contract will not expire until next Decem-
Der. This action was objected to by the
association of underwriters, who, it seems,
desire to have voice, or vote, in the affair,
somehow claiming to have an undoubted
right to, in manner, control the contract,
Notwithstanding they make no pretense to
being q part or parcel of the city corpora
ton. This association of underwriters, as
il well known, was and il . combination of
persons whose objects and aims are self in
terest, quite like trades union. 1t IL band
ing together of associations in one line Of
business to protect their financial matters,
and, a. far as possible, to govern all that
may come under it's lines. 1t may or may
not possess the powers granted by recog-
nised charter for certain purposes, but one
fact remains prominent and indisputable-
the association exists for the sole purpose
of self interest. The several insurance
companies take risks against fire, and
readily accept money from all kinds Of peo-
pie who desire to insure themselves against
losses in that direction. That is all, as
when the premiums are accepted the
money paid for policies is dropped into
Golfers which are go tightly sealed that
nothing short of clear case will compel
the officers to open it's vaults to settle dam
ages. They are not and do not profess to be
charitable institutions in any sense of the
word; they keep their Offices open to issue
policies for certain sum of money. Hav-
ing done that their mission is ended, until
some unfortunate person puts in claim
for loss by FIRE, basing his claim on policy
which he holds. Usually the officers
scrutinize the claim closely, which is cor
rect enough, and indemnity is not granted
until everything is made satisfactory to red
tape.
Such being the case, what sympathy can
the insurance officers AK or expect from
anybody! They take risks for cash. and
when their obligations are cancelled there is
the end, the same as in any commercial
transaction.
The Firemen's Charitable Association,
which has for many years acceptably exc
cuted contract with this city to extinguish
fires, has kept its promises quite faithfully,
and under financial restraints, having been
kept out of it's recompense long after pay
ment was due, which compelled the associa-
ton to borrow money, or, as has often been
the case, companies used their own funds.
The work and outlay were not for the pur-
pose of making money, it was pride IN
sustaining the combination which induced
the members to keep the "machine" moving.
Widows and orphans holding claims on the
association have regularly received their
allowances. and if members of the Board
of Underwriters will once each month visit
the chief engineers Office they will see
Messrs. Chevally and Flanagan quietly
handing currency to the pensioners, who
thankfully accept the boon. Occasionally
. poor widow, when she calls for her gra-
tuity sees in the room faces that were well
known to her deceased husband; men who
formerly kindly associated with the de-
parted, when the remembrance brings tears
to her eyes. and she hurriedly gathers the
fremen's Offering, wishing nothing but good
will tor the friends who in her adversely re-
mem bered that her husband once served
faithfully in the volunteer ranks.
The contrast is plain one, and the duliest
NAV read rs they run.
The Board of Underwriters now step in
and claim a right to have q voice in dis
posing of the next contract, demanding
that the city shall bind the fire association
to accept certain things, making this de-
mand because they are interested-hnan-
cially. They know very we'll that there is
nothing in the city charter which recog.
pizes the Board of Underwriters or any in
surance company as power to dictate 70
the Council, or even to make request
with greater right than the hardest-fsted
labOrer.
Last Tuesday the City Council awarded
the fire contract to the present department.
and did not 20 through the formality of in
v;ting bidders, and it is here that the IN
derwriters take umbrage, especially as their
attorneys advise them that such proceed
ing was Irregular The Mayor has legal
opinion which sus.ains the Council in its
course, and on that advice the Adminlstra-
tors have determined to stand.
The Board of Underwriters last week re-
ouested the Mayor not to promulgate the
ordinance until another conference could
be held, and the request was granted. Yes
terday the underwriters visited the City
Hall and held a consultation with the
Council. stating that they wished to have
the contract SO amended as to give the
board some power over the chief engineer
and to place several Babcock extingulshsrs
regularly in the fire department.
These propositions did not meet with ia
vor in the eyes of the Council, and conse-
ouently were rejected. Immediately after
the meeting Mayor Leeds signed the ordi'
dinance for the contract, and it appears in
.o-dav's REPUBLICAN,. 1t is believed thai
the underwriters will carry the case into
court, and there try to gain their points.
ur~r nv r1Jr NECK-Mr, Charles .Gau-