The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-12-24
BRooKLYv IxsURxNcB RATES.
CHIEF Nevs~s, Mayor Boosiy. and Comaas.
sloaer Ennis Denounee the Increase.

Manager +. ". Whiting OF tho Tariff Asso-
citation OF the Board OF Fire Underwriters yes
terday notified oil the insurance companies
belonging to the association OF the action
taken on Thursday. Increasing the insurance
rates In Brooklyn IS per cent. until such time
as the Fro Department OF the clty OF Brooklyn
shall have boon improved to tho Fire Under
writer's satisfaction" 1t was at first proposed
by the underwriters to increase the Brooklyn
rates 100 per cent. but after some discussion
tho increase was made at - per cent. by u
unanimous vote.
The Brooklyn Fire Department officials were
indignant yesterday over the direct attack
upon its efficiency. and alleged that the action
OF the underwriters was insured by the real
estate operators. who are scherning FOR the
consolidation of Brooklyn with New York.
Chief Engineer Thomas 7. Nevins. who has
seen nearly thirty years OF service as a
fireman and who has been Chief OF the Brook
lvn department since 1870. and was the first
Treasurer OF the National Association o! Chief
The occurrence Of n few big fires recently
has been seized unon as . iaNorAhie opportu-
nifty for these reone to raise their rates. The
attack upon our department is most unjust
our equipment is as good as II has ever been.
and has kept steady pace with the growth OF
the city. Every possible modern appliance
for extincuishins fires is used. We have not.
it il true. the water towers. but we have the
new appliance comes. along that We do not in
vestiyute and adopt II it is found servic en- BILE.
II there was q fire patrol here there would he
a saving to the insurance companies Of from
1T is seldom that we fail to contlne fire
to the building in which " occurs. attend
all the big fires i'll person. was at the Arnott
came near losing my lie there and on the
same night was at the i,ig IRE in JurEens
grocery establishment. and [ defy any one to
say that either Of these fires could havo been
haf faf INF mn cad ia nnf hnt eAr oil &C
o, llremen in the world than in Brooklyn. We
risk our lives to save y human being. and
would rather lose, ilfty blocks It buildings
insufficient supply of water. in some sections
OF the city, In some directions there are only
the six.inch mains. aud the rtineinal part OF
the water we use comes from tho river
derwritc,- "a vcar ago that brooklyn should
have fire patrol similar to the one in New
York. which Is paid for BY the Board OF Under
same Board nt underwriters has endorsed
Chief Engineer Nevirs ana recommended the
disappointment" Mr. Ennis. the present Fire
CommiS sioner.
Fir. Commissions" Ennis said: This in.
surance business - a gamble. This depart
ment IL equal to any IN tho country end is
efficient in al its branches. You cannot get
Brooklyn. They wurt the c!'yt" pay the cost
OF it, maintenance and house the apparatus"
some OF the merchants VINO VIII h" affected
by the Increased rates called on the Mayor
towef pIore alarm boxes. tho organization Of
n patrol. either detailed from the existing
compauics or from y salvage CORPS
Most OF tho busic.Ss C!en on fulton street
and the other leading thorouChiares said that
tho efficiency of the Fire Department was be-
yond question. and that ;he increase OF insur
;.uce rates is unraed for and would drive
parties with large stocks and great interests
to CO their own Insurance..