St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-06-30
RATES WILL GO UP,
But the Fire Board Does Not
Scare at the Pros
pect.
The Proposed Reduction Consid-
cred, But No Action
Taken.

At meeting of the board of fire COM
missioners held yesterday afternoon the
following letter in answer to a CON-
municatoh to the board was read:
George W. Freeman, Esq. President Board.
nof Fire Commissioners, Clty-Dear sir: In
retly to a communication presented by o.
committee Of your board relative to the prob
abba action that would be taken by the fire
insurance companies doing business in this
city in the event OF closing several OF the
fire department stations, we beg TO say that
owing 60 the excessive fire losses through
out the country a general increase in rates is
being made. If the city of st. Paul should
Withdraw from service any OF It's present
eauipment--fre apparatus or men-it would
necessitate special increase of from Is to 20
per cent. Yours respectfully,
j. QUINCY HAAS,
President st. Paul Board OF Underwriters.
II. W. CLARKE, Inspector.
The matter of making the proposed
reduction of expenses by closing up five
chemical engine houses. one hook and
ladder company. one engine house, and
reducing the salaries Of the employees
10 per cent, was discussed at length by
the members. Commissioner Stilwell
expressed himself as being in favor of
the proposition, even if it had the effect
of increasing the insurance rates. 1t
was much better, he argued, to pay the
increased rates than to keep on with the
department in its present condition. for
four months and then have to closeup,
and by this means have all the insur-
ance policies cancelled. Some OF the
members held 10 the idea that it would
be Just as we'll to keep on with the de,
partment at the present rate, and take
chances OH the money to gpay
October and November salaries
being obtained then in some
way. The intimation made twas
that when the time arrived for closing
the engine houses owing to there being
no funds in the treasury the public
would raise such howl that the money
would be raised in some way. The9flia-
iority of the board was, however. ops
posed to any such heroic measures, and
seemed to agree with Commissioner
Stilwell that it was better to make the
reduction now even il the insurance
rate were increased. No definite con-
clusion was reached, however, and an
adjournment was taken until this after
noon at 2:30 O'Clock, at which time the
matter will be settled. The pay roll for
June. dluOuuLsliS w S1f,Joos was dp-
| proved and will be forwarded to The
cor: ptroller. The question was raised
as to whether the comptroller world
audit the pay roll owing to
the condition OF the fund. At
the last meeting of the conference
committee McCardy informed the board
that they would have S73,2S5 left with
which to paysalaries from June to No
veaibers inclusive. Mr.. Freeman at the
time. said the Jnne pay roll would have
to be put in at the same figures as Ht
previous months, but to this the comp
troliert took exceptions, and said, under
the circumstances, ii would be just as
we'll to commence the reduction with
the June pay roll as any other month.
From the talk made the members of the
board had doubts as to whether the pay
roll for June without any reduction