St. Paul daily globe., 1893-02-18
THEY WANT TO KNOW.
Underwriters vii Look Into tn


Fire 3=;.a.; .nent.
The undtrWri,via association held
meeting yesterday at,,>""..''",l for the
purpose of adopting some pla! Of action
to pursue in the fire department Squab-
bic. The investigation instituted by
the council was commented upon and
the sentiment of the meeting was in
favor of pushing matters great deal
farther than is at present contem-
plated. The fire department. was said
to be in a bad condition, and it be-
hooved the underwriters to endeavor to
remedy tie ills for their own welfare
and the interests of the insurance COM
panies they represent. There was no
political preference expressed in regard
to chief. though it was stated by num-
Der Of the underwriters that it would
be poor policy TO reinstate StetSon. III
matters should so come about that 1t
would be for the benefit of the depart
ment to discharge Runge, then it would
be better to geta man for chief engineer
from outside of the city.
The assistant chiefs, Kenney and Can
terbury, were roasted to a turn by the
underwriters, and it was remarked that
Canterbury was good for nothing else
than turning III second and third alarms.
The department got roasting all
around, and it came in for a severe crit
icism when the subject of the Holy
Trinity church fire was broacned. The
underwriters evinced considerable
alarm over the manner in which the III
surance rates are advancing, and it was
agreed on all hands that something of a
decided nature must be accomplished at
once. Since the fire department trouble
began the rates have advanced 40 cents
on the thousand. This means $50, 900
additional cost per annum to the policy
holders of the city for upwards of ST.
100000 worth of premiums held III the
city. Rates are always advanced when
politics invades the fire departments.
consequently the underwriters are
anxious to nave the matter settled as
soon as possible.
The committee appointed TO look after
the matter of securing fire commits
sion, through an act to be added to the
proposed new city charter, reported
that matters were progressing fayora-
DIN, ana Iut1G WCIC SllOuS LOBCo VI tliC
legislature taking immediate action.
Tie only hitch appeared to be over the
manner of appointing the commission
ers, some favoring the appointment by
the mayor and others by the Judges OF
the district court.
Aid. Woodward was roasted by the
underwriters until the very air turned
warm. The things said about him were
by no means complimentary. 1t was
stated that had he kept his fingers out
Of the fire department, all would have
been well. The meeting adjourned after
committee, consisting of Martin Hit,
". S. Herber and A. B. Everts. had
been appointed to circulate among the
members of the association and secure
from them a list OF questions to be
asked the witnesses at the investigation
next Monday night. One member of
the association submitted the following
questions to the committee:
What was done with the stock taken
from the North Star Boot and Shoe COM
pany'S fire?
What was done with the stock taken
from the Castle Shirt company's fire?
What was done with the stock taken
from the Skoll tailor shop fire, and
where does the stuff stored away at fire
department headquarters belong?
Not all Of the underwriters are in
favor of ousting Runge. The present
chief has many warm friends among the
insurance men. These friends of Runge
attribute the troubles in the department
to the interference of aldermen with
duties belonging entirely to the chief.
1t may be said, however, that all the
underwriters favor thorough inyesti-
CATION. Rates are bound TO be high
while the department affairs are flaw
ored with politics, and that, OF course,
affects them all.
Some of the underwriters seem to be
actuateG by other than general desire
for the Improvement OF the department.
Remarks made about the assistant
chiefs were tinctured with personal
feeling. 1t is, of course, possible that
the speakers were carried away by in
dignation, and SAID harsher things than
they meant. Some Of them. however,
gave utterance to Ian guage that could
rot be indOrSed without more proof than
has yet been adduced.