New-York tribune., 1897-07-29
WHY FIRE LOSSES DECREASE.
INSURANCE. MEN SAY THAT THE PENALTIES
HAVE MADE BUILDINGS SAFER-FEWER
JNl,ENDIARJES At WORK NOW.

INlrENDIARJES AT WORK NOW.
Fire insurance men in this city did not appear to
be greatly impressed yesterday by the array OF STA
tstics which Preaiden: Sheffield of the Fire De-
par,men, has collected IN his effort to show that
the reduction Of f.e losses In this city In three
wears has been due TO the increased efficiency Of
the Department and that the insurance rates ought
~ ha decreased accordingly. While they did not
dispute his assertion that there had been increased
efficiency Ia the Fire Department. they said they
thought the reduction in fire losses In the city had
been due mainly 10 other causes. Ihey aiso oe-
clared that there had been gradual reduction OF
insurance rates in the city and that the reduction
would continue II there reason TO believe that
the average losses by fire would continue 10 &C.
crease.
II do no, doubt that there has been an improve
men; In the efficiency Of the Fire Department. OF
that Mr. Sheffield has the right to be Iroud OF H.
said Edward F. Beddall, agent OF the Royal lnsur-
ance COMPANY but in my opinion. the reduction
in fire losses in this city has been due mainly 10
two other causes one cause Is the graouai ana
extensive improvement in buildings when mas
been brought about by the action of the insurance
companies in imposing penalties for unsafe con-
struction. The insurance rates arc made according
10 schedules and they lay additional penalties for
insurance in buildings which can be easiifi ue
sroyed while the rates are decreassa i?r ranid
For instance. il building has ws-hole run, a,.
ming up through the middle Of IT. and q nrc Se,s
in there the flames spread through the building
Sdns eiHIG sns is e% estroyed # there is change in
srucuon or in 50 that me osed Spsnss nss
fire that breaks any floor will be c3nhned
until the reen can get control OF 1t, ana a. .g sUSs
may be only 10 per cent The action OF tne lnsdr M
in mn hg1nr n whoh TnIGs the ior risk
changes. which have had much TO do with the DC
Another cause for the decrease in losses Is be-
eved to be the decrease III the number ei uc'l,r m
tbiriv irebuci has had wholesome effect and we
think there is about one ncendiary hre nov mn
believe that Fire Marshal Mitchell is faithful and
able man for the place. He was removed iroi hant
BY and !hiSs he SoG Gufnt sb eect aSs 10 Of faEc %
creasing the fire losses in the city. we think an ~
we also believe that he has been ably supported os
the district oST reduction in fire
lstes In the city within three years-nol 50 nluen
ef bndinrs in which we think the danger of large
W Gres has been reduced. That there will be Iur-
thsr reduf'Sn bn ro OF rn5sf 5G the e 'o''sS
John H. Washburn vice-president OF the home
Insurance Company. said that while the
COMPANIES had reduced the rates for certain GASES
of buildings in the city, ana We're lhCIineu 10, ~ tha
rr losses Would continue decrease yet they
could not be sure that the Gomparee ew arge 'pw res
he said might make great change IN 'hS hShnSod
ing at any time and he did not thinK Mr Snyi w due
entirely to the increased efficiency OF the IRE he
partment The city had had an eiilcltI' ~ IA
partment for twenty years. he Said nut tnciu hi I
heen occasional outbreaks of large nres, WhlCin
caused enormous losses. in spite of the good WORK
o1s'' Rcd the manager OF the Tariff Association
of the New-York Fire Underwriters said; ~ Nos ps.
OF the work of the assoca ton Is ID tne ny ~, ~
ducing insurance rates in buidings wne, ,ha rates
have been high and the reduction lon OF me faSes @
in that manner is going on al me Ui,cC: incro,smI
schedules which impose penalties TOT lncItis..a
danger of large fires in buildings & are oseSa 1 the he
civ and some think that the action OF flre MAJ.
shai Mitchell and the District Attorney ollcS oSou,
nreventine many incendary fires has done acPut
as much good. II the average loss by hlc III w., r
citv continues to decrease. for any reason UNIV
Will surely be a decrease in insurance rates