New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-01-19
pitfalls Of this city He will be buried by the Central
Turn VereIn, of which he member
FORMAL CHARGES MADE
BROOKLYN'S FIREMEN ARRAIGNED.
THE INSURANCE TARIFF ASSOCIATION TELLS

THE INSURANCE TARIFF ASSOCIATION TELLS
TIE MAYOR SOME UNPLEASANT THINGS
The committee Of the Insurance Tariff Association.
recently appointed inform Mayor Body, OF BROOK
Ign, Of the reasons for raising the rates OF In
surance on business buildings In that city. and the
charges Of inefciency In the management OF the
Fire Department. has transmitted 10 MIN the luli
statement asked for at the recent hearing before the
Mayor The chairman OF the committee John H.
Washburn sent the Mayor yesterday the statement
Of which this Is the substance:
Please mind that neither the 1arH ASSOCIATION
nor It's committee OCCUPIES the position OF prosecutor
nor an investigator. For purely business reasons the
association raised its rates Brooklyn property on hc
ground stated OF ineNcency Of the Fire Department
Al vour request committee was appointed to confer with
you on the subject who met you not TO make charges
but to give you suggestions which might aid you IL
the investigation which assume you Will make. Ihosf
suggestions propose to repeat
We call your attention. to Che TACT uat the BROOKLYN
Fire Department is attempting cover territory nearly
as large as that OF NewYok with equipment Of only
about one.haf the number OF engines hook ana Iader
companies etc. and that the fire alarms are not only too
few In number but OF the old pattern requiring 4 Key
TO be procured before they available thus occaspnng
serious delays reaching fires after they are discovered
We would call your attention the lack Of discipline
evidenced by the charges current in the Brooklyn papers
and elsewhere in regard to the habits OF the hre"n III
lounging in the streets feQuentng saloons dspung at
fire. defyng the company officers under whose cohtfoi
thew are supposed TO be- We would ask to look into
the saloons adjacent to engine and hook and ladder houses
where indicators have been placed for conveniently SUM-
morinc the men to duty. We would ask you to inquire
WHY patrol s enforced sufficiently to keep the hydano'
from outside obstruction inside frost ana why cohicS
are permitted to attend unprovided with axes or other
proper indictments for work and without supply
Of coal to run the engine until borrowed In the vicinity
We would ask whether the condition OF the Fire De-
parnent after being the charge OF the present
Commissioner for several years furnishes evidence oil MS
fitness for the position which he holds We think you
should examine the question whether the chief OF the
Fire Department IS the efficient active, competent
man that the head such department should be- or
whether by reason prolonged absences from his post OF
duty and active interest In business enterprises his
efficiency engncer is not greatly impaired Lastly
we would suggest you should investigate the manner
Of purchasing supplies for the department. and whether
proper supervision Is exercised in the care and use Of
material and property belonging 10 il.
These suggestions made In accordance with your
request The only desire OF the T0rid Association and
OF ts committee, Ia that the Brooklyn Fire Department
may be prompt and efficient and equal TO the best In
the land that fires in Brooklyn may be handed Ia all
cases as they should be. How all this may be accom-.
plshed is matter which vitality concerns your
citizens and Taxpayers glad TO contribute by
Q result.
Mayor Body will appoint a committee Of business
men TO investigate the condition Of the Fire Depart
ment. The committee OF the Tariff Association VIII
cooperate With this committee.