The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-03-19
WORK OF THE CONFERENCE
What the Tariff Association Wants
the City TO Do.

Chairman Cam Talks ofthe Insurance
Committees Conference With the
Tariff Associations Representa-
Recommendation Which the
Committee win Make to Council.
The Increased Rate to be Removed.
Mr.. ". G.. Cam and Alderman NJ. W.
Dixon returned yesterday morning from
Atlanta, where they took part in the con-
ference Of the city's committee with the
representatives Of the Southeastern Tariff
Association, on Friday, relative TO the in
crease in insurance rates at Savannah
having remained in Atlanta over Satur-
day to arrange the details of the agree
ment, which was not entirely concluded
at the conference.
Mr. Cam, who is chairman of the com
mittee, said yesterday that the confer
ence was a pleasant and a satisfactory
one. As a result, a meeting Of the eXecu-
tive board of the Southeastern Tariff AS
sociation is TO be held in Atlanta to-day
or tomorrow, at which, it is understood,
action will be taken, suspending the in
creased rate for the present The subject
viii come up again before the regular
meeting of the executive board Of
the Tariff association in May, at
which time, if the city has shown
a disposition to carry out the agreement
made by the conference the rate will be
indefinitely suspended.
TO REPORT TO COUNCIL.
Mr.. Cam will make his report of the
result of the conference to the next meet
ing of the city council. The matter will
then be left with the council for further
action, as it is considered that the com
mittee has discharged the duties for
which it was appointed
I'VE found the representatives of the
Tariff Association" said Mr..
Cam yesterday, "came ready
10 make any reasonable concessions. All
that they ask is the fire conditions pre-
vailing in Savannah be given thorough
Investigation, and that such improve
ments as are found to be needed should
be undertaken by the city. Their posi-
ton Is not an unreasonable one. They
stated that they much preferred to do
business in Savannah at the old rate with
a decrease in the amount of losses than
at the increased rate with continuance of
the losses such as they complained of.
They presented figures showing conclu-
sively that the insurance business in Sa-
vannah for the last five years has been a
losing one for the companies, and
that they have paid out more
money for losses than they have received
in premiums
NO CHARGES AGAINST THE CHIEF.
They made no charges against Chief
PUder direct, but called attention to the
fact that for the five years previous to
Chief Puder's incumbeucy the companies
had made money in Savannah while for
the five years since he has occupied the
Office the contrary has been the case.
This, they said, might have been due to
poor management of the fire department
or to defective con struction of buildings
in Savannah or to the lack of
sufficient water mains. Whatever the
cause they asked that it be remedied.
They asked that the city of Savannah
select some competent and disinterested
person to make a thorough investigation
into the equipment and management of
the department and that the recommen-
datlOns upon the results of the investiga-
tion be accepted by the city, which was
agreed to-
They also suggested that more strin-
gent regulations as to the erection of
buildings be adopted They were in
formed that a building ordinance was
now before council, which would pro ba-
bly, be adopted at an early date. They
also asked that the system of water
mains be improved so as TO allow of a
pressure of seventy-fve pounds at the
plug in case of fire.
FAVORABLY RECEIVED.
This suggestion" said Mr. Cam,
was favorably received by the COM
mittee, and will be recommended to coun-
ell. Have the water and the power
and there is no reason why a few defect
i've mains should be allowed to prevent
the application of the proper amount of
pressure. The city has thirty-three
miles of water mains, of which, perhaps,
not more than half mile need to be re-
newed.
"ln answer to the complaint of the
small water mains on Bay and Broughton
streets, the committee showed that there
ale larger water mains on the adjacent
streets Which are available for all fires
on Bay and Broughton streets. 1t was
however, agreed to recommend that 49,
inch main be laid on Bay
street from Montgomery to
Abercorn street, distance of
about 1000 feet. 1t was explained,
however, that the ordinance against the
upturning OF the soil during the summer
months would prevent this from being
done until this fall"
Mr.. Cam said he believed the results of
the conference will prove satisfactory to
both parties, and that steps viii be taken
by the city which will warrant the indefi-
mite suspension of the increased rate of
insurance.