The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-17

Here is something clipped from the In
aTance Monitor for June, which plainly
shows "thc handwriting on the wall" OF
the underwriters OF this city:
THE Memphis Fire Department was
recently crippled by tho discharge of six
men and two officers. The board OF UNI
dcrwriers, recognizing the danger Of tn us
weakening force already too small for
the large and growing city, sont in petit
ton for their restoration, and also for put
ting in service two engines purchased
year ago and for restoring the service OF q
hook and ladder truck and chemical en-
CINE, which had been laid aside all for
sweet 'economy's' sake The Fire and
Police Commissioners came back on the
underwriters with an extended commune
cation. showing that Oliver, when he
asked for more, was not half as prepos-
ferrous rs they. An itemized account OF
the expense involved in this reform is
made 10 foot up at Sl6,3S0, and the vir-
tuous commissioners say that thoy have
not got the money, and even II they had
II could be better spent on sewers and
|
weight TO the request for an efficient de-
partment, they demand a reduction OF in
surance rates, because OF new stand-pipe
which is 10 be finished at some future
day, which they allcgc will make the fire
plugs more scryiccable. II insurance men
were like other men in their business this
would simply advance the rates TO cover
tho margin OF added hazard, or withdraw
| do Hn1l al
our Memphis friends may take some such
view OF the case"
"Thus II will DO seen" said a represent
alive insurance man 10 an APPEAL re-
porter, commenting on the foregoing,
that the issue Is fairly joined, aud the
Union, which comprises the leading COM
panics of the world, have had their atten-
lion directed TO this all-impor,ant subject.
Tho public may, in tho near future, ex-
pcct TO hear some,hin drap, or. in other
words, the managers OF these great com
panies may instruct their agents in this
city 10 raise the rates. II they should do
So up the rates will 20, MS the agents are
simply the mouth-pieces OF the managers.
While we would greatly deplore a move.
ment OF this kind on the part OF tho un-
derwriters. yet we cannot blame them, for
II Is manifest that our fire department has
not kept pace with the growth oil
our city. Tho stand.plpe racket used
by tho Board OF Police and Fire Com.
missioners was not the way 10 meet the
arguments used by the underwriters. in
fact, il was lodging the question. The
large tax paid by the insurance companies
doing business in this state entities them
10 fair consideration Mt the hands OF our
law makers and their petitions should
havo great weight with the commissioners,
especially no when 20 serious n matter as
the raising OF rates Is being considered by
them. TO raise tho insurance rates in
this city means u bee In the bonnet Of
the commissioners. 10 the music OF which
! Mcssrs. Odlum and Davis will be unable
10 find any stop 10 keep time. In their
mastery efforts 10 make themselves solid
with the boys they bit of moro than
they can masticate,' from political
standpoint, and at the next election for
Representatives they will find themselves
In the soup badly.
"TnE ArrEAL IN n recent issue, with great
care, made u comparison Of the different
| fro departments throughout the cotton
belt aud showed conclusiycly that Mem
phis was away behind any city OF like pop.
ulatiOn In the South. As q community,
We cannot afford 20 have our rates raised.
Our merchants already consider them bur
dcnsomc, yet with the lights before them
how can they expect anything olsc2 We
shall see what we shall see.