Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-03-17
THE INSURANCE MEN.
The Action Yesterday Of the South
eastern Tariff Association.
THE COMMITTEES STATEMENT
Dissatisfaction in Richmond. VII"
Rates Examined IntO-A New sc"e-
duIe Being Prepnred-fr""""'
Apoointmcnt of n Manager

The Executive Committee Oh '"o
eastern Tariff Association held us i''a'
session here yesterday.
Though other matters were brought oe-
| fore the committee. the controiiihs oo''O'
| IN holding a meeting here was TO near
the representations Of the agents aS
the dissatisfaction existing here WIN ''e
schedule OF rates.
Ever since the tariff OF May. $685. went
into effect there has been more OF ieSS
complaint regarding It. and recent iO"''
troubles in insurance circles have acceh-
tpated these complaints. Touching th'S
latter question. the committee prepared
full and formal statement. Among o'"er
things the statement sets forth:
CAREFUL CONSIDERATION.
..7,bn members Of this committee have
given the situation most carelui WI"
slderation and investigation, and aiter "
full conference with the local under"rf-
ters II has been ascertained that there -
no iust ground for the complaints as "
the general rating Of the city. In iaC';
II has been very clearly demonstrate
that the rates. taken as a whole. do not
aNETAEn
Ist,ng prior to the operation OF the
schedule Of the association. At least,
This is the impression OF the committee.
The committee is assured that whatever
dissatisfaction exists, has originated from
a failure upon the part of property-owners
20 examine into the system OF schedule
rating. Under this plan il Is the object
Of the association 10 give each risk the
benefit OF the reduction, and charging
the deficiencies may be found 10 exist TO
each particular risk. This system OF
rating is based upon past experience
taken from the classification of the COM
panies. which show the loss on every
class Of fire risks In long series Of
years. 1t will be found that the rates
on the best classes Of risks have been
reduced. Brick dwellings. for instance,
have been reduced 20 per cent. in Rich
mond 1t viii also be found that the
best class of mercantile buildings have In
many cases been rated at a less rate
than formerly. As TO special hazards
OF Richmond. It has long been a criticism
Of well-posted underwriters that rates
were absurdiy low as compared with rates
on similar risks In other cities, or as
judged from their own inherent hazards.
HAS NOT BEEN UNDERSTOOD.
"The COMMITTEES believes that the pro-
PERFORMERS Of Richmond will. on
calm reflection and a more thorough
knowledge of the situation and OF the
disposition of the companies, reach the
conclusion that the companies have been
very much misunderstood"
The statement describes the objects OF
the association. such as improving fire
protection Of cities, influencing the con-
struction of standard buildings, etc, and
after citing the Tredegar fire as an evil
dencs OF the fact that property has been
saved by following the rules Of the asso-
citation, continues:
For several months past the associa-
ton has been engaged in a revision Of
their general schedule OF rates and de-
hclency charges. and upon the completion
OF the work the new schedule Will be APP
piled to Richmond. as we'll as 10 the
other cities. and Richmind will receive
the benefit of any reduction made in this
revision"
THE claim that this community Is en-
titled TO exceptional consideration by vir-
tue Of its good fire record must take into
account the fact that there can be no
certainty or even probability that this
immunity from disastrous fires Will con-
tinue. The same conditions exist in this
city as in many other communicative
same classes of haZards-dangerous groups
planing-mills. oil stores. lumber-yards,
and similar inhammable risks, exposing
commercial centres-Occasianal short wa
ter supply. and similar phases Of popula-
ton, trades. and industries-and whatever
Of good fortune has heretofore attended
the fire experience OF the city greatly
exaggerated by some) has been purely
fortEitOus."
THEY ARE STILL RET1CENT.
Very little in addition to the above
could be learned from members Of the
committee. As 10 the action of the local
Board Of Underwriters in agreeing TO
waive all rules and rates in competition
with non cooperating companies, 1t was
| said that the cooperating companies had
| themselves settled that matter by de-
| clining 10 ratify such action. IL IS under
stood that there Will probably be APP
pointed for Richmond a Compact mana
| ger" The association mas such an officer
! in New orleans and some other southern
sities. The duties OF compact manager
| are an enlargement Of those now dis
| charged by Mr. WitherspOOn, the secre-
| t1ry of the association. He In person
| or through his agents examines all risks,
| hears individual complaints, sees to the
| proper application OF the schedule. and
| attends 10 various other details.
The members OF the committee went
| down to Old Point last night.