The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-03-27
OFFICIAL.
CITY GOVERNMENT.
omcial Prooeedings OF Council.


Savannah, Ca, March, "a 1s94-Ad-
journed meeting of council was held this day.
Present: His Honor, the Mayor, Aldermen
Bohan Folltard Haines, Harris, Mcmillan,
Myers, and Wells.
The following communication from the
special committee appointed to confer with
the Southeastern Tariff Association relative
to increased rates of insurance was read and
referred to the committee of the whole
Savannah, Ga, March p. lSq4-Hon John
j. McDonough, Mayor-Dear Sir: l beg to
hand yon herewith the result of the recent
conference between the Southeastern Tariff
Association and the committee appointed by
council TO consider the recent increase Of %
cents on all mercantiles risks in thecity. r
Your committee beg leave to say that they
were most pleasantly and courteously re.
cetved; the presentation of facts by the asso-
citation was positively yet fairly made, and
they cannot but conclude the results Of the
conference, If carried out in good faith, will
re Of benefit to all concerned.
Referring TO the first complaint and recon-
mendation, the representatives Of the asso-
citation did not hesitate to say they considered
the present chief of the fire department not
qualified to properly Ill the position. They
acknowledge his personal integrity and
energy, but claimed he lacked that GOODNESS
aud decision in their opinion absolutely essen
ti2l to the proper filling OF the position. They
attributed a large percentage of their losses
during the past five years to this ca So at the
same time calling attention to other causes
of equally serious character They claimed
a thorough inspection OF all premises es-
pecially business buildings OF great impor-
lance, not merely for the purpose OF familiar.
tzIng the head of the department with the
construction of the buildings, hut for the pur-
pose OF having such premises kept in proper
condition as 10 damage from tire. They
GAINED tUrtner tnat the chief himself or
through his Subordinates. should make such
examinations frequently and insist upon the
removal Of any and all substances considered
dangerous from fire standpoint; they urged
that the present chief had reen oerehct in
this respect; they further insisted that com
cll should promptly confer upon the chief
such power If not already given bv ordinance
as would permit his making such specJionS,
requiring him TO do so, ana giving MIN au-
thority to take such s'eDs as might be neces.
sary to enforce the removal or correction Of
such evils as might lie tof nd to exist.
They asked 10Y additional lire pressure
from the water " Ks anu larger main on
Pay street from MONTGOMERY to Atercom.
They earnestly urged the prompt com l,tion
Of Spch ordinances ming the COuStruo-
! tiOl OF ruIdings as VIII give all proper pro-
lection III the way OF g0cd material, walls,
CT
their requests unreasonable: they. therefore.
4 urge upon council speedy action upon each par
! Ucular Recommendation. hey think careful
and thorough examination MO the qualihca-
tons Of the chief his management Of the de-
partmcnt both with q view of preventing
nres Is well as eEtiGgulshlng them, is due rot
only TO the insurance companies. but to the
taxpayers or The city, 10 whom rates OF lnsu-
rance are nut another method Of taxation: at
the same time your committee Ieol no iuius-
tioe should or viii e done The present lncum-
lent.
Your committee feel council shOlld put the
chief in g. sOiute control Of his department
appointments ana dismissals. BE should lie
given ali power asked for as to inspection Of
buildings ana correction Of fire rnenaces
therein. He should then be held rigtdly re-
sponStble for the ploper and e-uciCnt conduct
OF his department. As to the inspection OF
the personnel and equipment Of The depart
ment, your committee feel il is fUllV the
equal OF any other de Jartment or tao sam
size put they cannot see any harm in haVln {
close and careful examination made tv an
impartial expert selected by the city. They
are sure any detects shown would te OF ID
vantage Dy causing tnelr prompt correction.
The additional pressure should be ordered
and all weak mains promptly repaired or re-
pl0te1. The building ordinance sh luld e
pressed to its passage as quickly as consist
ent with its perfection.
IL gives pleasure 70 report that in ac-
cordance with the understanding arrived at IN
Atiant a, the Southeastern Earln Association
has promptly. under Gate Of the 18Th inst
advised Us Of the suspension of the % cents
increase until their meeting in May and its
rebate to all parties 70 whom 70 NAV have
teen charged. Its indefinite suspension at
that time remains entirely with the city couu-
ell. We beSpeak from council that prompt
attention in the matter that in our Judgment
its importance demands.
By order OF the committee,
Respectfully,
". G.. CANN, Chairman.
RESOLUTION.