The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-10-15
WANTS A T REDUCED
MAYOR TAGGART's LETTER TO II
LOCAL INSURANCE INSPECTOR.
Thinks Fire Department Improve
ments Justify "a Return to the
Rates of "a Year Ago.

Mayor TaggaTt is endeavoring to get the
insurance companies TO reduce their rates
in this city to where they were before the
Schnull fire in December, 1895. At that
time the local board of underwriters met
and it was decided, after conference with
representatives of the various companies,
that the rates should be raised 10 per cent.
in this city until such time as the city
should improve its fire department in ac-
cordance with suggestions made by the in
surance companies and Ii committee of the
Commercial Club and Board of Trade.
These suggestions have now been complied
with, and yesterday Mayor Taggart sent
the following letter to the local Inspector;
Dear Sir-I hand you herewith "a state
ment in detail moving the number and
location of the ngine houses In Indian
apolis, also the new equipment and better
ment added to the ire department since
Jan. l. 1896:
After the disastrous fire in South Meri-
dian street in the month of December. 1885.
the Board of Public Safety at once took
steps TO strengthen said department. The
National Board of Fire as
well as the Commercial Club of this city,
made suggestions and requested that I'M
provements be made in said department,
not only for the purpose of protecting
property in this city, but at the same time
to protect the risks which the insurance
companies were carrying. AS you Will see
the department has been largely increased
and greatly improved, both in the way OF
new equipments, additional fire MIGRANTS.
with increased capacity, c~fsterns connected
with mains and additional men. L feel now
that in justice the citizens of indianapolis
who are insuring with said insurance COM
panies are entitled to a reduction OF the
rates now in force in this city by at least
a return to the rates existing prior TO Dec.
/, 1895. / therefore respectfully request you
to call the proper authorities together. TO
possible opportunity"
A-ccompanyin this letter was the follow
ing statement of the improvements which
have been made:
Since Jan. /, 1896, the following new
equipment has been purchased and better
ments made in the fire department.:
One Al extra size Ahrens steam fire
engine, located at headquarters, corner
New York street and Massachusetts ave-
"One AL extra size La France steam fire
engine, located al engiHe mousse NO. b, NO.
273 West Washington street.
One new Champion s.~~or tower, located
at headquarters.
zone hose wagon, located at engine house
No. II, corner Morris and West streets.
One hose wagon, located az engine mouse
"l0,s0o feet of the very best quality of
Three new engine houses have been
erected. and equipped as follows:
Engine house No. 10, located at NO. 532
East Washington street. equipped with
hose wagon and hook and ladder.
."Engine house No. II, located at corner
Va hLOi Il diAo w CoN otASNNCs ~ oNA4
chemical equipment.
Engine house No. IS, located at West
Washington street and Belmont avenue,
hose wagon with chemical equipment.
Bids for the construction of a new engine
house at North Indianapolis are now being
asked for. This house will be equipped
with steam engine. Water mains have also
been ordered for North Indianapolis, and
streets are now being graded for the pur-
pose of laying the same. These improve
ments will give that section of the city
proper fire protection.
soon as possible another engine COM
of College avenue and Seventeenth street.
This section Of the city cannot be con-
sidered badly protected, inaSmuch as COM
panies Nos. 2, IA and Is are surrounding it,
and, being supplied with light, easy-run-
ming wagons, can get into service in a very
few minutes after an alarm is given. This,
however, is one of the sections of the city
which will receive attention next. Engines
/, and 9 have been entirely rebuilt, and
all the engines in the fire department are
now in hrst-clasS condition"
The statement then gives a full list of
other improvements that have been made
including the placing of a lot of new Came
well noninterfering alarm boxes in different
parts of the city, there being seventy-five
of this kind of boxes now in service. An
appropriation will be available next jan
uary to add more of the new boxes. All
cisterns are being rapidly connected with
hydrants have been put in at places where
they will be the most useful. Fourteen
men have been added TO the fire depart
ment, which will be further increased with
house. In the future the men will drill
will their apparatus at least twice a
month. Then follows a full list of the fire
houses now In service. Mayor Taggart
warrant a reduction in the insurance rates
to the rates i'll force a year ago or less.