The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-12-08
THE INQUIRY BEGINS
INSURANCE MEN AND BUSINESS NEWS
COMMITTEES MEET.
Board of Safety Concludes to Spend
100000 for n Water Tower and
Equipments.

The Board OF Trade and Commercial Club
committees recently appointed for the pur-
pose of looking into the question OF better
fire protection met with like committee
Of underwriters in the office of the Indian
apolis Fire Inspection Bureau yesterday.
II was decided that more could be accom-
plished by a consolidated committee repre-
senting the different interests than If the
committee were to continue TO act inde-
pendently. A partial arrangement was eff
fected whereby subcommittee made up Of
representatives from the general committees
will be appointed. One committee will have
in charge the subject Of better fire equip
ment, while another will consider means for
securing the cooperation OF the city Of
ficials. Other committees will have in
charge the different subjects which require
attention. 1t was thought joint subcom-
mittees could secure more reliable Informal
ton than would be given to separate COM
mittees, who would necessarily have to go
over the same ground two or three times at
least 1t is thought If one committee visits
the fire departments. for instance. and gets
the run OF things that committee will be
better able to keep the entire matter in
hand than two or three committees made
up OF different men. 1t was the opinion of
those present that after the first committee
had made a visit there would be a ten
dency on the part OF officials to hedge when
investigated by a second or third commit
tees. so they would report entirely diff
ferent condition of affairs from that found
by the first. The committees will get 10
work at once and they are expected TO re-
port in a few days.
Yesterday IL was rum0red that meeting
was called by the insurance men for the
purpose Of discussing an increase of in
surance rates. Mr.. A. I. Allen, inspector of
the bureau, said last night that the SUBJ
ject received no consideration. He said the
matter OF increasing rates does not lie
with the local agencies but is within the
inherent insurance companies are under the
control OF the Insurance Union. The diff
ferent sections of the United States are
divided into insurance districts under the
management of commissions. Indianapolis
Is under the control and management of the
first commission, with headquarters at Gin
cinnati. The commission has In charge the
subject of rates, acceptance of risks, etc,
ana makes such orders as the good of the
insurance business seems TO require. If
anything towards increasing rates in this
city Is done 1t Will be upon the direction
Of the commission.
The matter of rates in a district" said
Mr.. Allen, lis fixed by the commission in
proportion to the loss ratio. The losses
paid by insurance companies in Indianapolis
during the past five years have exceeded
the incomes OF the companies from business
done In this territory. As business prop
osition 1t is easily seen the only way to
equdiize losses and revenues is by increas-
Ing the rates. The matter OF rates is de-
pendent entirely upon the ratio of losses to
revenues When losses are at low rate
premiums are CORRESPONDENCE low" Mr.
Allen seemed TO think the commission at
CINCINNATI viii be inclined to increase rates
until 1t Is clear losses will be reduced