, 1877-03-04

/ VISIT FROM TIRE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEES.
| The insurance Committees of the Senate ant
| House of Representatives Of the Illinois Lcgis
1ature arrived here yesterday morning, agrcea
| bly, to an invitation from the underw ritcrs o
| Chicago, for the purpose Of examining into the
workings Of the Fire Patrol companies, and be
| coming posted preparatory to considering the
bill providing for the application Of the X ot
the per cent tax, now levied upon insurance
premiums, to the support OF the Patrol. Oi
the Senate Committee who came there we're the
Hons. c. E. Mcdowell (Chairman), Marshall,
and Smi tb, and OF tho House the Hons.
Messrs. Crocker (Chairman), Reed, T.
Merritt, Taylor tKankakce), Hopkins,
Mitchell, Graham, Rcavill. Wells, and
Hoggc- Speaker Shaw, Of the House, Sen
ator Dement,, and Representatives Sherman,
sittig, Pinney, Watkins. Sccrist, Evans. Cham
bcrs, and Easton were also present when the
gentlemen OF the Committees were met ut the
Grand Pacific. Hotel at 10 o'clock by Judge
Carey, General Agent Of the German-American
ford Company; Henry Il: Brown, OF the Fire
tersi and George C. Clarke, S. II. southSick,
and Gen. G. y: Drew, underwriters, and were
Capt Bullwlnkle showed the gentlemen from
the rural districts some movements in
apparatus ready that fairly amazed
them, and brought them to an understanding
OF the efficiency Of the organization in saving
property Mt fires, Some Of the visitors had
vert vague idea regarding the duties and uses
OF the Patrol, but they were soon posted. At
the South Side house they were shown similar
movements, and examined all the apparatus
carefully and noted the work in detail.
The legislators then made a visit to the
Chamber Of Commerce, by invitation Of Sccrc-
tary Randolph. aud took look at the busy
Board o. Of Trade. Ihey next enjoyed q big din
ncF at the Grand Pacific Hotel, aud at 3 O'Clock
met In Parlor n, in conjunction with the under
writers and citizens, to
CONSIDER THE PROPOSED NEW LAW
in relation to the disbursement of TX Der cent
Patrol. The proceedings were inforunal, and
the meeting was open to all. The insurance III
tercst was represented quite largely, and there
was delegation of prominent merchants on
I hand. Speaker Shaw was looked upon as the
head Of the gathering: but no Chairman was
elected, nor vas scribe Thought necessary.
In behalf Of the underwriters, Gcorrc G, |
Clarke explained the object OF the proposed |
law, or rather amendment to the present law |
He said the insurance companies had !
come to the conclusion that they could |
not pay. the tar, and also maintain |
the Patrol, and therefore the question arose
with them as to whether they should abolish
the comnantes: The citizens said they should |
not, allu therefore the insurance men had asked
Tor relief through the Legislature. Ali over the
! a per cent tor the Patrol was to 70 to the city
me proposed measure had met with no opposi-
lion, ont the matter required legislation, aud
Elcmen The objects Of the Patrol were stated,
and its efficiency in detecting fires and cxt;n. |
gushing them without water spoken Of It was
branch OF tho service that would be of great
injury to the city to lose.
Alr. Pi1ncy wanted to know the nature of the
jill, and Mr. Clarke informed him that 1t Was
"a amendment to enable cities to maintan q
nc patrol By dcductng the amount of tax
Afr. Bissell, Of the Hartford Insurance COM
'any, said 1t Ind been asked Il the Patrol was
Tot an enterprise for the benefit OF INSURANCE.
oHpanies': 1t was working wholly In the in
erest E OF propesty-owners and the efficiency Of
ne Iatrol enaolca many merchants to carry less
Insurance. Under the old system there was no
ne to look after the saving Of property. Iu |
nswcr to Mr.. hopln the speaker said the
'atrol had been the means Of making allow rate
I insurance. -
Mr.. Clarke explained how the Patro, sarcd
IN inc nc IN reaching fires, and spoke Of The intro
uctlon ot the plan OF having horses hitched
lady for starting out; and also told how tho
iscipl1nc of the Patrol had good effect on the ,
ati5e p Ere Department He said they had in
answer the question asked in Springfield, as
now the citizens felt about the matter, and !
lose gentlemen would speak.
senator smith desired to know II the bill !
I QUO alIeet the rates OF insurance generally,
I'd whether be, living in the country as he did 5
ould hare to par more. 49, NAa' !
ties. ~ ~ N~>A ~S~'e 'ne
L. z. LETTER
i'd the Patrol needed no Endorsement fron !
N. he maintained that the property of the
nnny paid for all the losses. The Patrol was {
Eely e1acent organization. Whatever tar was a
ees.saTT the proPerty-owners were willing to c
<nA}N
Mr. Clarke asked Mr.. Letter if he would con, :,
lef the abOttEon Of the Patrn1 a disaster and | 4.