The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-11-09
TO MAKE UP FOR LOSSES.
WHAT THE INSURANCE COMPA-
MES ARE TRYING TO DO.

That is What Many People Believe
the Advance in Rates Mesns-The
Insurance Men Charge the Advance
to an inefficient Fire Service and
Lack of Water Supply-The Increase
Adds $4,000 to the Cost OF Insur-
ance in Savannah-What Business
Men Say.
The increase Of insurance rates, as ordered
by the Southeastern Tariff Association,
went into effect yesterday. All risks, ex-
| cept on the Commercial Guano Company
the Georgia Fertilizer Company, the Sa-
vannah Guano Company, the Southern
Cotton Oil Company aud the rice mills
were raised. The advance is % cents on the
hundred dollars of insurance, and the in
crease is to be added TO all existing and new
rates sent out. The order of the associa-
ton, known as "Slip No. 49," goes on
| to say that "the above increas SO
will be continued in force until the
city of Savannah has thoroughly equipped
and fully paid fire department, from the
chief down, and ample water mains and
water supply. in keeping with city of
Savannah's size and CONNER cial i'm
portance."
The action of the association is considered
by those who were seen yesterday as an
arbitrary dictum, and under the circum-
stances not justified.
WANT TO MAKE UP LOSSES.
1t is claimed that the Savannah fire
department system is equal to the best in
the south, and that by reason of the COM
pact between the local insurance agencies,
wi affo tod ole
the insurance companies, by fixing an
arbitrary standard for insurance, are not
justifiable, but that the action has been
taken because the companies, having lost
heavily by the big confagration on
Broughton street last April. and at the
compress fire last month, want to make up
for their losses, and the increase in rates
followed.
WHAT INSURANCE MEN SAY.
Just what the Savannah compact wants.
Is not clear. The insurance men say that
the increased rates will be continued until
a thoroughly equipped and fully paid fire
department is organized.
1t is claimed by the insurance men that
the fire department equipments are
not adequate As a gentleman
said last night. the whole mat
ter is ll-timed and hasty. It is we'll known,
the gentleman added, that while the fire
cities, the city is striving to make it stiIl
more efficient, which the council proposes to
do by purchasing additional equipments for
more effectively combating fires, and the
increase in rates came during a time when
the city is not only adding to its fire appa-
ratus, but when it is prospecting for larger
water supply, so that there may be no conn.,
plant as to a lack of water.
WHAT THE INCREASE MEANS.
The action will add at least $4,000 to
the present cost of insurance in Savannah.
Chief Fireman Puder said last night
that there has been no reason to complain
or the water. He says the fire department,
for its zeal is unequaled by any city, and
that IL there had been heaters so that the
engines could have had steam at
fire upon their arrival there would
have been less ground of complaint.
With the willingness of the city to extend
the effectiveness of the fire department by
the purchase of a new engine, an aerial
truck, new hose cart, steam heaters, and
the sinking of additional wells he thinks
that there should be no reasonable ground
for increasing the insurance tariff.
THE TALK OBJ THE STREET.
There is some speculation as to what
action the city viii take. The insurance
men are not certain that with the advance
Of rates by the companies will
come an increase in the special
tax by the city for doing business.
A business man, in discussing the action
Of the tariff association, said that the in
crease in rates is not warranted. The state
| ment, he said, is bold one, in view Of
| acquaintance of those who ought to know,
but don't, with facts concerning recent con-
| fiagrations in Savannah.
THE BIG APRIL FIRE.
| The first disastrous conhagration this year
was the big fire of last April. 1t
started during the prevalence of north
| west gale, but its course was checked in
| every direction, except that in which the
wind was blowing. Had all the fire engines
in Georgia played on the fire it would not
have stopped foot from where it did.
The next fire was Miller's furniture store.
a place full Of combustible material The
losses there were heavy, but the fire was
confined to frontage Of 100 feet, and the
building where the fire originated
was not burnt below the floor
to there being no fire walls above the
roof, the building next to it was partly
burned, The biggest losses, however, were
sustained in the cotton press fire. There
| was q large amount of cotton stored there
there was large amount of insurance, and
there were, in consequence, heavy losses.
| The fremen had one narrow street in
| WujCu W ukub tuo 5cobuluS VI udfueS
which curled over from one warehouse into
another until the entire area was afire.
Notwithstanding the difficulties surround
| ing the firemen the flames did not cross the
street to the rows Of warehouses filled with
cotton. The business men pointed to num-
Der of other fires, all dwelling houses,
which have occurred this year. all of which
have been managed with more than average
success These fires are what may be
termed epidemic fires." all coming to-
| gether-phenomena that are one OF the
curious things about fires in all cities.