The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-06-28
PROTECTIVE SERVICE.
HE.INSURANCE COMPANIES
DESIRE 70 HAVE DONE.
Seeking Lesislation that will Compel All
tho Companies to Pay Their share Of
Maintaining the Department..

Late in the year of 1888 the different
insurance companies doing business In
the City OF New York established sys-
tenn of saving property at fires. Since
this time 1t has been adopted by many of
the leading cities of the United States.
In some cities it is know II as the patrol,
and others the protective department..
In Providence it is known as the protec-
tive department.. and II has been In
operation since February /. 1875. during
which millions of dollars worth OF
property has been saved through its
efficiency. In some cities this depart
ment has been maintained by the insur-
ance companies. In others. n small part
or the expenses have been borne by the
city. In only one city, Sd far as can be
learned, IL the entire cost paid out OF the
municipal treasury. That city Is Lowell,
Mass, and the protective department
organized by the chief Of the fire depart
ment.
For many years the service In Worcester,
Mass, was maintained by the insurance
companies. When Mayor Pratt was In
Office. however, several small appropria-
tions were made for covers for the depart
ment, aud this practice has been
CoutiUucu up 10 tu' DTcscnb uty.
In Kansas City, every company doing
business IN the city pays the SUN OF 800
into the city treasury for each agent it
employs, and this money supports the
service.
In this city the department IL about
equally maintained by the companies.
Owing Co the fact that only a part Of the
companies doing an insurance business
here contribute to the cost of maintain
ing the protective departments An
effort has been made to have the legisla-
ture make all companies pay n share,
rs all derive a benefit from the ser
vices. Up to the present time this move
ment has not succeeded.
The servicesis maintained as follows:
The city furnishes horses. harness.
horses feed and drivers. The COMPANIES
pay the men, furnish wagons, covers.
tools. repairs, insures the members
against accident and pay for telephone
service. In the latter part Of April an
item appeared in the News that the city
proposed to take the entire control OF the
department. at the beginning OF the next
ye +. 1t Is reported that the additi oual
cost to the city would be about $1,000
per year.
II the cost is not more than this, the
service will not be any better than al
the present time, for the insurance com
panies pay its men better salaries than
the cities does. As to the service render cd
there has been no fault found with
the present management, and Captain
Charles X. Swan has been In Charge ever.
since the department has been in exist
ance. Should the city assume full con-
tontrol. IL will ralieYe- the companies -ei
the cost. 1t has not been decided yet
however. whether they will allow it tc
pass from them, and they are said to be
divided on the question.
Many of the tax payers Of the city dc
not think the cost will be as low as
$1,000, as they are aware that new houses
will be built ia different parts OF the
city. and instead Of being maintained mt
an Increase OF 90 00o IL will be nearer
$50, 900. they say. What the insurance
companies desire Is that the State should
make all companies doing business in
the city pay tax sufficient to cover the
expenses OF maintaining the protective
system, as Is donc in other cities.