The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-03-09
A CONFERENCE ASKED FOR.
The Insurance Investigating Commit
tee N2pS Cat lis Work.

III -AtRl NtLb AAS w 'AAA'
A Conference with the Otscers Of the
Southeastern Tariff ASS ociation on
the General Insurance Situation in
Savannah Requested-The Commit
tee Considers the Action of the Asso-
citation Precipitate and Asks for
Removal Of the Rate, Pending the
Result of the Investigation.
The insurance investigating committee
held its first meeting at the city exchange
yesterday at noon All the members
were present except Alderman Herman
Myers and Col j. II. Estill, who are out
Of the city. The meeting was merely a
preliminary one to map out the work of
investigation. 1t organized by electing
Mr.. W. c. Cam chairman, and Alderman
William Bohan secretary. The meeting
was a short one. only lasting half an hour
Chairman Cam said that the subsequent
meetings may be public, but it was
deemed best that the mapping out Of the
work should be in private. He was seen
after the meeting and gave an account Of
the proceedings of the committee.
TO ASK FOR A CONFERENCE.
The result Of the first meeting was that
the committee decided to ask for confer
ence with the Tariff Association through
its officers on the general insurance con-
ditions prevailing in Savannah, and not
merely on the questions Of the efficiency
or ineficiency of the fire department or
the incompetency Of any Of its officers.
The object of the conference is TO obtain
a thorough view of the situation from the
standpoint of the association.
The committee also adopted a resolu-
ton declaring that it considered the &C
tion of the association preCipitate in or
dering an increase in rates without hay
ing made any appeal to the city to remedy
the deficiencies complained of, in view of
the fact that the city has always mani
Tested a willingness to listen to sugges-
lions from the Tariff Association in the
line OF improving fire risks and DISPOSE
ton TO comply with its recommendations
where practicable to do so, and in view
of these facts the committee requested
the association to remove the increased
rate pending the investigation, or to guar
antee the return of the extra premiums
to the policy holders in case the result of
the investigation now pending should
prove satisfactory to both parties
TO WAIT A REPLY.
The committee adjourned subject to the
call OIL bUG CHAIR / ne tndlILidu Will
call the committee together as soon as
the Tariff Association replies TO the re-
quest for an interview.
The following letter, addressed by Chair
man Cam to Secretary Upper, Of the
Southeastern Tariff Association, ex-
presses the position taken by the COM
mittee upon the investigation:
City Of Savannah Mayors once Savan-
nah Ca March s. ls84--S y Upper ESQ.
Eeag 81 fut ion
Atlanta, Ca: Dear Slr-PrOmptly upon The
receipt OF the circular Of your association in
creasing the rates of insurance on all mer-
cantilo risks twenty five cents. owing as
stated therein. to the 'iueIceu.y OF the fire
department" the city council authorized the
appointment Of a committee from the Savan-
nah Cotton Exchange, Board OF Trade. Board
of Aldermen, and from the business men at
large; this committee was charged as
per the resolution enclosed with
the duty Of investigating the
charges made by your association, and re
porting back to the city council such recon-
mendation as they might deem proper under
the circumstances. Under this authority, at
meeting Of this committee held today. | was
directed as chairman, to lay the following
request before your association:
First, we ask that the Southeastern Tarif
Association appoint some ohiCer or commit
tee to confer with us at as early date az
ipractlca de in reference to the matter under
consideration.
Second. we respectfully urge that pending
such conference with the association the in
Fiction Of the p cents penalty upon the bust
ness interests of our community be sus
pended
We make these requests, feeling that they
are both reasonable and just and in this con
nection we beg TO refer you to the following
facts The city government of savannah has
always manifested a willingness to comply
with all reasonable demands or requests OF
your association; large sums Of money have
been spent in endeaYOrfng TO thoroughly ac-
cord with the EFFORT OF your association to re-
duee the danger from fire losses to a mini
mum; not only is This true, but the city
government stands ready now to make such
improvements, il in their power to do so. as
may be shown to be desirable in either de.
partment responsible for IRE protection. We
call your attention TO the fact that the action
OF your body in imposing the penalty of %
cents was taken without any notice whatever
either othcially or otherwise, to the city Of
Savannah or our business community. No
opportunity has been given the city for com
plying with the desires Of your association.
and in fact, we respectfully submit no spe-
c1hc charge has vet been made, and the only
basis for such a tax is q general statement
about the fire department.
Now In this matter we feel that the interest
OF the business men, the insurance companies
and the city government are identical We
propose, under the authority given US, 10
make thorough investigation Of the whole
subject OF the fire fighting facilities of the
city, and while not presuming to Judge what
the outcome OF such investigation NAV be, the
large interest at stake Of the gentlemen com
posing our committee is of itself q guarantee
that the results can but be of benefit to all
concerned.
In conclusion. speaking for our committee
and out citizens generally, trust your asso
Clauon may meet us without prejudice and in
a spirit OF fairness, and comply with the re-
quests herein contained. With respect / am
yours truly, W. q, CANN,
Chairman Committee Of citizens.
HyT4Irr TNrTTycv,r,x ~ u,1 u-n--