The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-05-30
OBJECTS TO WERNER
Manager Gilbert Doesn't Want the
Fire Chief ReappOinted.
TO RAISE INSURANCE RATES
The Mayor Asks for Proofs to
Back Up Assertions That the
Chiefs Report Was Incorrect
NO Evidence Produced.

The Insurance agents have not re-
nnquished their opposition to the re-
appointment of A. ]. Werner as chief
OF the fire department In a recent
conversation with c. X. Gilbert, mana
ger OF the State Underwriters associa-
ton, had with Mayor Thompson, the
former made the statement tina. the
chiefs annual report showing the fire
losses Tor the year ending April SO,
1896, to have been only $27, OOO was in
correct. Mr.. Gilbert said he had re-
ports from the 40 companies Showing
the losses to have been to them alone
$4,000 and nine other companies had
not yet reported. The mayor demand
ed proofs in support of Mr.. Gilbert's
statement. Yesterday the insurance
manager addressed the following letter
to the mayor:
May 2s, 1896.
William Thompson, Mayor, Butte
City, Mont: Dear Sir-I beg to refer to
our conversation of the LIST inst. and
your request at that time for proof of
the statement made by me that the
annual report of the chief of the fire
department was incorrect. Inasmuch
as the gathering of such proofs as you
demand, for various reasons, would
prove onerous to the insurance compa-
MES and myself; and further, as this
annual report has no bearing on the
case at issue, 1 must respectfully de-
cline to furnish such proof to the fire
committee. The reason L say the re-
port, whether correct or incorrect. has
no bearing on the case, is that certain
ly the ability or inability of a man to
keep perfect record of the work of
the department does not prove or dis
prove that mans ability to properly
discipline a department. or intelllgently
fight fire. AS for the loss ratio for
fine las
small as the report would indicate, /
fail to see how 1T could be construed as
an endorsement for Chief Werner as a
fireman when it is considered that Cor
months he was too ill to be in charge
OF the department, and the same was
under the management of the mayor
and fire committee. / could mention
towns entirely without fire pre- lection of |
any kind where the loss ratio has been
far less than in Butte in proportion to (,
the size of the two towns. / think the I
property owners of Butte are to be 1
on the good luck that has |
them during the past year.
Il trust you will make known to the /
public the result of the house to house |
that l understand is being |
made, in an effort to prove the incor-
rectness of my figures, for in several .
cases where figures of losses, amount
ing to several thousand dollars, have
been given to the canvassers, these
amounts We're not included in the fig
ures stated by me, and would increase
that amount by several thousand sdol-
lars Very respectfully, NIX.
Charles r. Gilbert, Manager"
In addition to the above Mr. Gilbert |
said to Standard reporter that as far
as Chief Werner was concerned, the
latter had told him personally, as an
excuse for himself, that he had not
been in charge of the department for
some time during the last year and
say in this connection" said Mr.. Gil
bert. that the threat of the insurance
to raise rates in Butte If
Mr. Werner is reappointed is not a
bluff. The companies are not going to
stand it, If the people of Butte can
lot protect them they must do some
hing to protect themselves.
Another thing / might call atten-
ion to while speaking on this subject,
S that there is not an ordinance of the
ity relating to building or protection
Igainst fire that is not violated con-
inually Wooden buildings are put up
inside the fire limit and the city is and
ways has been in a dirty, Uttered con-
ition in alleys, backwards and base
nents. A frame building has just been
'ut up on Arizona street, another on
East Broadway, and see that the cid
urned shack on Main street is being
tied up again after II had been de-
Jared that it had been damaged 80
er cent. by fire"
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