The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-11-21
FIRE INSURANCE RATES
AGENTS ASK THAT CHIEF BARRETT
BE SUPERSEDED BY NEW MAN,
And Promise n Reduction of Rates IL
Their Request Is Granted-The May
Rejects the Proposal.

new man from some other city.
His decision was contained in his
answer to the letter of Mr. Goodloe. man.
ager of the fre-insurance inspection
bureau. in which Mr.. GoodIoe outlined a
plan which would bring about an imme-
date reduction of 10 per cent. on more than
three-fourths Of the fire insurance now in
force. The stipulation made by the
insurance inspector is that the city secure
a man from some other city and place him
In charge of the fire department. This
Mr. Taggart fatty refused to do
The letter of Mr.. Goodloe. which
was in answer to the Mayors letter of Oct
10. asking that rates be restored to where
they were before the series of fires which
eliminated in the great loss at the Schnull
fire, is as follows:
Dear Sir-On Oct 16 we had the pleas
ure of acknowledging the receipt of your
Valued FAVOR of the 14th ult. in which YOU
In the fire department in the last year, and
on penalI or the city, requested that the
insurance rates in force prior TO December.
provements.
Since that time the matter has been the
subject OF careful consdera ton on our
part and We are not unmindful of the
credit the city justly deserves for the lib
eral disposition shown in providing suitable
nre-hghting apparatus. which experience
mas shown was not only necessary. but
imperative. Recent experiences. however.
has demonstrated to the insurance compa-
MES. as We'll as TO the city authorities.
that even with the improved fire-fighting
facilities. the department is not yet able
TO successfully handle confiagrations.
whether this was due to the inefficiency
of the head of the department or on ac-
count of his inability to properly handle
his men, is not for us to say but you can
readily see the inconsistency of the COM
ms mt inc
proved fire department wher they have
just been called on. after the improvements
nave been made. to pay a loss that proved
total, the only reason therefor being that
the apparatus was out of order, or that
some part Of it would not work.
1T Is our idea, without presuming to
crtticise any action that has already been
taken. that to bring the department to the
hig nest degree of efficiency chief should
be brought from some other city. who can
be recommended by the chief of the de-
partment of New York. Brooklyn. Chicago.
Cincinnati st. Louis. He should be a
thoroughly trained fire fighter. strict dis
partment of all factional strifes. who
would be strong enough to make himself
felt. and whom the citizens and the mem
its head, and to whom absolute control
over the workings of the department
should be given. We do not believe tha'
pointment of any man az chief who has
served in any capacity In the department
during the time that lnQ1alapOl1S mas SUI
fered so many total losses.
I'VE recognize that under the city char
ter IL might not be possible for the BoarC
of Safety TO delegate TO the chief the pow
er or authority to engage and discharge
employees, but an understanding could be
had that his recommendations in this re-
spect should be Virtually decision.
when this is done we will be pleased Il
make reductions in rates, averaging lO pei
cent. (the amount of reduction In each case
to depend on the merits of the risk on a; al
stores. dwellings, churches, schoolhouse:
and public buildings, on which classes rates
are already quite low; and T,o on winch IN ~
duction of 10 per cent will amount to more
than the reduction requested In your let
rates were increased in December, 1895
form only a small proportion OF the In
dianapolis business.
dianapolis into a fair profit-bearing city
which 1t has not been for number o
years that instead of trying to secure rev
have tried to do. with poor success, W
must now commence at the other eI.1 M
make every effort to reduce the nre loss
and in our opinion. after viewing the mat
ter in every light the plan above Outline,
appears to- us the only way 10 accomplish
the desired end.
THE MAYORS REPLY.
In reply to this Mayor Taggsrt sent, tn
following letter:
Dear Slr-10ur letter Oh NOV. 10, III &c
My TO mine of over thirty days ago, Is re
ceived. In my letter | asked for a reduc
ton In insurance rates TO our citizens OF
account of the purchase OF new equipmen y
the erection of new engine houses, the ap
pointment of additional men to the mr.
force and the location of a large nunhpe
Of improved water plugs IN the centra
portion of the city.
You state that you are not unmindful o
the credit the city deserves for the Hoera
disposition il has shown in providing sIit
a, attre hrrf
that with the improved fire hghting faclil
ties the department Is not yet able to sue
cessfully handle CONGREGATIONS . ,
You say you do not know whether IL
due TO the inefficiency of the head OF IN
department or on account of his inablht
to properly handle his men. As you ar
aware there was change made IN IN
head of the fire department on Wednes
day Nov. Is. and the reason for sue
change was that the Board OF Public Satet
had come to the conclusion that such
move would make the department NOR
efficient Mr.. Barrett the new chief, ha
been in the department for twenty-five
of the Board of Public Safety. and be
ieve OF those connected with the fre de
partment- In regard 20 his authority. n
has absolute control of his men, with tn
right TO suspend a man for inefflclency o
INSTRUMENTATION. and his request for the Re
moval OF such a man WOULD DE granted W
the board. as they hold the chief responsi
BILE for the workings of his department
You speak of fractional strife in the ole
partmCnt. II any exists at this time 10 IN
detriment of the department the Board @
public Safety as well as Chief Barrett
would be pleased TO know where II is.
assure you in advance that If your com
mittee will point out anything OF this kin
it will be removed.
Your letter goes on to state that IL W
should bring a new man. thorougn r
other city and make him chief OF the hr
department YOU would be pleased TO max
n reduction in rates averaging 10 per cent
the reduction in each case, however, TO dt
pend upon the merits of the risk In max
ing this request you ask something which
in my opinion. is unfair and imprdcticabl'
Placing as IL does. the Board of Safety an
myself in the light of standing in the roa
of a reduction in the fire rates by askin
us TO remove man who has Just bee
placed in authority. and who. az yet. ha
ability as q chief. You have had over thirt
DAYS to make this request. but until tn
board made the present change you nav
said nothing. Being aware that change
were contemplated. ii would have setine
more consistent to nave made chs rcques
sooner. | wish TO state publicly, however
that should Mr.. Barrett prove inetfi ,ier
TO perform the duties of the position |
| which he has been placed. the Board c
Safety will certainly make every effort
its power To find man competent 10 n
the same. / believe. though. we have a
good firemen in indianapolis as any CT
In the country. and I further believe tina
MIR. Barrett will he able 10 control hi
men and enforce such discipline as Wi
be necessary to bring the department to
/ very high standard.
You assert that YOU have been callc
upon to pay total loss an account of IT,
I.awrie x Robson fire. From the tone
! YOUR letter ! Infer that your coiamittC
/ is of the opinion that this was due TO IN
/ improper working OF the water tower.
/ has been stated by many VINO were pre-:
| emit among them eX-Chicf Webster ar
| other members of the fire department
who arrived or the scene not over thre