, 1876-12-31
CHICAGO FIRES AND INSURANCE.

4 New Year fraught with good to thee.
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CHICAGO FIRES AND INSURANCE.
Chicago has paid pretty dearly for the con
hagration Of 1871. Besides the direct loss
Chicago people from insufficient insurance
and the bankruptcy Of insurance companies
there we're consequential damages, such a.
the increased rates for labor and material II
rebuilding, and the exorbitant premiums de-
manded by the insurance companies thai
continued in business It is high time that
the Chicago people be relieved of all neces,
sity for contributing bonus to insurance
companies for the common misfortune Of
five years ago. The annual report Of the
Fire Department which has just been made
reminds us that Chicago has earned right
to demand the most favorable fre-insurance
rates that are made in this country. The
business men ara now in position to insist
| upon proper consideration Of this claim, and
resent every refusal to admit it.
The current report Of the Fire Department
shows that the total number Of fires during
the year Was only 474, and resulted in q
total loss of less than $3.50, ,820,-a loss
| which is smaller in bulk than the insurance
companies may reasonably anticipate from a
single fire in a large commercial city. This
| assertion is confirmed by the fact that there
was insurance amounting to 1922, 800 on
the property attacked by fire, in which the
total actual loss WIS less than one-ninth Of
that eYrn 4E Aha oo+no1 1ono ~ 5000 Q01
the insurance companies probably did not
pay more than $3.50, 900, which represents
their entire loss in Chicago during the year.
We have not the exact figures before us of
the business done in Chicago by the in
surance companies; but the total amount Of
insurance is probably not less than $780,
000, 900, and the amount Of premiums paid
thereon between So $500, 900 and $4,000, coo.
The receipts for the year 1876 were $2,51,
$50. II Ii fair guess that the loss of the
companies does not exceed one-tenth of the
money they received from the Chicago peo-
pie in premiums This is doing pretty good
business.
A comparison of the total loss with the
number Of fires and the value Of tbs proper
ty threatened nttests the admirable efficiency
OF our Fire Department. Within the last
two or three years, and under the direction Of
Chief BENNER, with such assistance as Gen.
SHALER afforded for time in the way Of
practical suggestions, the discipline of the
department. has undergone d thorough
revolution. Mr.. BENNER himself is man Of
excellent habits, a skilled and experienced
fireman, competent judge Of the qua1ifca-
tions and conduct of his subordinates, and
conscientious worker. He has emancipated
his department. more fully than ever before
from the dictation Of the local politicians,
aud there have been 20 complaints to make
Of the promptness, energy, OF judgment With
which the fires have been SO successfully
fought. The most marked improvement has
been in the fire -alarm service, the efficiency
Of which has been increased 600 per cent
within the last two years, and which
is being further extended and perfected
all the time. This is the most important
branch Of the service, since upon its work
ings depends the promptness of response to
the alarms. The service now includes
twenty-nine fre-engines, I've chemical en-
gines, thirty-two hose-carts, eight hook-and-
ladder trucks and the personnel Of the force
consists Of the Chief, seven Assistants, and
344 men. There is probably no other Fire
Department in the United States that can
render more efficient service in proportion
to the demands made upon it and the only
in connection with it which we
vvo%,f1 $h1roy,rA oE
holding inquests, under direction Of the
Chief, on the cause of the fires, and the
more efficient cooperation Of the police in
keeping the approaches clear and the field of |
operation undisturbed while fires are in |
actual progress.
To the trustworthy excellence Of the Fire |
Department must be addedthe sweeping fire. |
ordinance, which has now been in force |
three years, prohibiting the erection Of frame
anywhere within the city limits;
the building ordinance, which has been pre-
pared with great care and the waterways
TEN, with its two lake tunnels and two |
that challenges comparison.
With these safeguards against the spread of
and the constantly increasing |
number Of brick and stone buildings as
against the outbreak Of fires,
Chicago may fairly exact immunity from
extortion on the part Of the insurance
and demand the lowest rates /
with the amount of |
business done. The companies cannot
afford to ignore this demand, for Chicago is
in position to help itself. The time has
come when there is capital in this city that
may be safely and proftably invested in the
business, omitting the business
errors and false principles on which "home"
were formerly organized With
an increased sense Of protection and con-