The Lebanon express. (Lebanon, Linn County, Or.) 1887-1898, 1893-11-17
An Injustice to our Citizens.

Mr.. EDIToR:--I desire space In your
valuable paper, to enter protest against
rank Injustice to which the good citi-
zens Of Lebanon are subjected.
| refer to the question Of insurance.
There is not a town in the state, hav-
ing as good safeguards against fire as
this town, where the rate is so burden
some. We cry ont daily against
monopoles, railroad corporations, and
foreign capital; but none of these affect
US SO directly as that grasping, soul
less corporations the Pacific Insurance
Union, which, under the guise Of pro-
tecting our homes, robs us without fear
or favor.
The history Of this Union has been a
continuous record Of plundering and
oppression, Away back at the time
when the present hand-engine was
bought, we were assured by one Tom
Grant, general agent of the Pacific
Union, reduction of rates. Acting
under this assurance, the purchase
was made; the above mentioned indi-
vidual acting as agent in the purchase.
But were the rates reduced? On the
contrary they were steadily advanced.
No sooner had our electric light plans
become established, than the propre-
tors made overtdres to our council 70
put in water-works; and one of the in
ducements offered was an assurance of
| the lowering Of fire-rates. To this end
letter was obtained from J. o. Writs
man, of the Farmers & Merchants Ins.
Co., of Albany, that if the proposed
system was adopted lowering of the
rates by Is or 20 per cent would be
guaranteed. The letter was published
in the EXPRESS in the latter part Of
February of the present year; and I'M
doubtedly had an effect in securing the
establishment of our efficient water
works. Were the rates lowered? Not
so! They still remain from Sl.S5 on
the hundred dollars, for property To-
Gated in the brick block, to S7.l5 per
hundred for those less fortunately situ-
ated. Now what do we hear? A few
weeksago the Union sends man here
to inspect our town, and he calmly
informs us, that if we will incur an adj
ditional expense of about 50, 900, which
means adding that amount to our al
ready grinding burden Of debt, he
might obtain for us a re-rating. As an
inducement the rate was increased in
couple of Instances which we might
name.
Now where does the blame rest? The
town was saddled with an indebted
ness Of some $4,000, as security
against loss by fire. The city pays
S44S yearly for rental Of hydrants, as
suming that they are of value in case
OF fire; but the Union ignores the as
sumption and SAYS we must have more
hose and longer Mains Perhaps when
we have attained the dignity of paid
fire department-and let us hope in-
surance agents will not be connected
with it in an official capacity with
+ electric fire-alarf1, engine truck, and
hose enough to encompass the town,
we may be able to satisfy the greed Of
this unsympathetic Union; but until
that time We will probably go on pay
ing increasing taxes, water-rates, fire.
rates, etc. No doubt we should be able
to save money, should we dig up our
water. works, pipe and pump, and go
back to the primitive brigade.
We could at least save the annual
rental of hydrants and the payment Of
the bonds. In the future ii would be
a good idea to require the Union to
give bond to redeem its pledges; fol-
if it is not as fully protected by sys-
TEN of water-wOrks, as any resident OF
Lebanon, who is?
Will some enlightened citizen please
shed some light on this yexed question
.. VERITAs,
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