New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-05-24

The Firemen ard the UsAerwriters.

The City Council has just renewed the
usual contract with tha Firemen's Chair
table Association for the extinguishment of
fires for term Of i've years. The occasion
Of this renewal has been seized upon by
several Of the insurance presidents, banded
together in IN organisation called the
Board Of Underwriters, to come forward
and demand some sort Of influence in the
control of tho affairs of the department.
These presidents, claiming to act in the
name of their several companies, though it
is doubtful if they had received special
authority for the purpose from their sew
eral directories, filed proposition embrac-
ing two points.
l. That the said presidents of insurance
companies should take part in the election
of chief engineer Of the department by
nominating to the Council some person
deemed by them suitable, and that the ssid
Council should be bound to elect and the
Mayor commission the person 90 nominated.
9. That tho expense Of running the Bah
cock fire extinguishers. estimated ut $50
Q year. be paid by the city to the Board of
Underwriters and deducted out Of the
amount to be paid the fire department under
it's control.
The delegates composing the Firemen's
Charitable Association were called together
to consider these decidedly cheeky pro-
posals, and unanimously rejected them.
The president, /. N. Marks, Esq., was au-
thorized, with some Of the members, to hold
conference with the Mayor and Admins
TRAITORS, and state the reasons upon which
the representatives of the department based
their refusal. We are indebted to Mr..
Marks for the following points submitted
ON that occasion, which seem to us con-
elusive, and probably were 80 considered
by the Mayor and Council, as the contract
has been duly executed, signed and sealed:
We object to the proposition that certain
insurance presidents should take part ing
election of the chief engineer of the fire de
partment for the following reasone, viz:
l. That the demand is unwise, impolitic,
uncalled for and without precedent in the
history OF any fire department OF this
country.
2. That the Firemen's Charitable Associs-
ton is the contractor with the city of New
Orleans, giving bond and security in the
sum Of $4,000 for the faithful execution of
the contract.
8. That the chief engineer and assistants
are commissioned by the Mayor, sworn into
Office, and give bond and security in the
sum Of $25OO.
T. That the Firemen's Charitable Asso-
citation owns all the machinery and para
phernaIia of the fire department, having
invested in them S15O, 1000.
5. That the association can be held re-
sponsible Al law for damages whenever,
through neglect, carelessness or inefficlency
at fires, such damage OCCURS.
6. That few years since suit Of that
character was brought against the associa
ton for the sum of 5000, and though it
was gained by us, it cost $500 in lawyers
fees.
7. That the Board Of Underwriters do not
propose to furnish any portion OF the bond,
any pro rata of the money invested. or to
share the legal responsibilities OF the con-
tract.
8. That the fire department ia directly
under the supervision, direction and control
of the city government, as set forth IN many
provisions Of the contract.
g. That no complaints have ever been
made by the Board of Underwriters against
the present chief engineer or any OF bis pre-
decessors.
10. That the board Of delegates have
always been ready to receive, entertain and
examine into any charges preferred against
thu chief engineer, or any officer OF the ire
department.
ii. That the few respectable gentlemen
who are moving in this matter are simply
representing themselves, not their directors,
or stockholders, whom they have not con-
suited.
r. That the population Of the city OF New
Orleans, with great unanimity, as has been
frequently manifested, support, approve
and maintain the fire department es now
organized, and fully recognize and snpre-
ciate its forty years OF public service: Iney
have aeked for no change In it. nor do they
desire any.
49, That but about fifty per cent of the
fixed and perm anent property in the city OF
New Orleans is covered by insurance.
a. That but an insignificant fraction OF
the insurance capital represented and em.
ployed in New Orleans is under the control
$94, 600 900 is outside of that body, and not
controlled by it.
Is That Of this fifty per cent Of insured
property in New Orleans, not over twenty
i've per cent is covered by the companies
represented in the board.
16 That the appointment OF the chief
engineer by any other body than the one
he has to command Ia volunteer fire depart
menr). would be the immediate cause OF
confusion and disorder at free, and the
consequent destruction Of the present har-
mony and efficiency OF the organization.
II. That the chief engineer (whose posi-
ton is rendered permanent, and whose du-
ties are independently discharged In conse-
ouehce of his being elected for five yeals)
fails to perform his duty, he can be removed
from flee under the constitution and laws
of the association.
1e That in addition, the city govern
nent possesses the right Of exacting under
the penalty of the forfeiture Of the con-
tract rigid compliance with all OF Its
Aud finally, that in all human affairs, it
ia heat to s:let we'll enough alOne," else
nav ha written in this case the old epi.
Twas WE'LL wanted to be better,
And here am.
We object to receiving the Babcock fre
extinguishers on the terms proposed LOT
the following reasons "
dition to increase its expenditures.
9 The city declines to make the addl-
tional approDriatiOn for running and main
tanning the extinguishers.
= 3. We are opposed to making any cnange
in the present machinery by reduouon ol
the denartmeut, as we are OF the oplnioR
that it is all necessary for the proper pro-
lection of the city.
We have consented that in the new
contract the city shall have the right at
any time, at it's own expense, TO ada 10 Tue
department any improved mach'nery OF
annaratns for the extinguishment OF hres.
That when we find it necessary or the
city 40 directs to add other agents for the
exiinsuishment of fires to our depart
ment. we desire to adopt the latest, best
and most usafnl apparatus.