Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1897-05-07
paid in premiums, including

Vpu ana received ICl losses SNUUO, IN TOuuu
numbers. or in other words. the losses in
the county, exclusive of the village of
Brattleboro, exceeded the premiums paid,
while in the village of Brattleboro the
losses were less than a third of the premi-
ums paid. Our grand list is about one
fourth that of the county Our losses are
less than one eighth; or, in other words,
our ratio of losses is less than half of the
county, exclusive of this village In pro
portion to the grand list, and the ratio of
losses, the village of BrattlebOro is paying
in premiums nearly four times as much as
the rest of the county. This is accounted
for, in part, at least from the fact that
buildings taking fire in the county where
there is no fire department are very likely
to be a total loss of the whole amount in
sured while in the village of Bratteboro
the average is less than one-titth, and it
plainly demonstrates great injustice to
this village in the amount OF insurance
paid for the risks incurred
Since this report was made up it has
been learned that the New England Insur-
ance exchange has authorized a reduction
Of % per cent on rates in Burlington. Win
ooski, Middlebury nd Nergennes on all
buildings located within 500 feet of a pub
certain specified purposes.
Discussion of the Report.
Following the reading of the report
Linn D. Taylor took the floor, saying he
felt that the information contained in the
report. or the impression gained from it,
was wrong TO a great extent He then
read from the books of insurance rates for
the cities of Rutland and Burlington, as
fixed by the New England exchange, fig
ures to show that, in cases quoted, rates
on the same classes of business or public
property were lower IN Brattleboro than in
either of those cities MI Taylor's con
tention was, in brief. that, occupation, eX-
posture. and class OF property considered,
the rates in Brattleboro are more favor
able than in Burlington and Rutland.
) L. Martin met this statement by say
ing that taking into account the popula-
tion of the city OF Burlington and the to-
tai amount of insurance premiums, as com
pared with population and insurance rates
in Brattleboro, the discrimination against
Brattleboro is evident The population of
Burlington is 5000, and the total amount
paid there for fire insurance premiums is
100000 a year. Brattleboro's village pop
ulatlon is about 5000 and We pay an aver
age of 49,, 900 year for insurance, while
last year our fires were put out at loss to
the companies OF only one-tifth of the
amount of insurance carried on the prop
erty burned or damaged, say nothing of
the actual value of the property. To cor
rect the injustice done TO the people of
Brattleboro in this respect Mr.. Martin
would have a committee appointed to con
fer with the New England Insurance ex-
change. Failing to secure redress there
he would have legislation framed to meet
the case.
c. II. Davenport wished 10 adopt and
act upon Nj. Martins suggestion, and ne
therefore, presented the following resolu-
ton, which was adopted:
Tina, James L Martin. John Calvin and O. W
Hooker bs "a committee to negotiate "a behalf
OF the village with the New England Insurance
exchange. or any available company or c0mpau-
les, TO secure Just and equitable rates. and failing
III this To propose such legislation as may be al
ylsabi- TO reach this end
That the bailif1s bt hereby directed 10 REIN
burse them the actual expenses incurred II the
work
That the bailiffs be- also directed to call a spec.
la meeting Of the village ~ case auS thing deyei
ops from the negotiations that IN the judgment
OF the committee requires further action by the
village.
As discussion OF this subject closed /.
y y
series of years could be taken as showing
what fire losses would be II any town or
city, or how the rates should be fixed.
Brattleboro has had small losses of late,
but she may have a Sl00.0 600 fire loss,
which will compel a revision of all calcu-
lations.
Article I, with regard to the repairs of
steamer No. /, was then taken from the
a HE and 1iCpTfcefar Oh
Estey favored taking no action for the re-
pair OF the steamer al present The in
surance exchange was bound to make Ger
tain demands when approached by the
committee, He would leave the steamer
as il is and let its repair be one OF the con
cessions to be made by the village.
Mr.. Martin concurred in this view II.
Z. Taylor said this would have no influence
on the action of the exchange. Col.
Hooker derided the idea of trying to secure
any such leverage over the insurance
He didn't want anybody to
know that such a thing was ever suggested /
Gen. Estey and M Martin insisted that
the repairs ought to be held of for the rea-
son suggested, and z vote TO dismiss the
article was finally carried, although there
was a strong negative vote.
During the discussion c. II. Thompson
said that the village ought to understand
IN what shape the steamer now is. and
hat it has been condemned by expert au-
-hOrity, Chief Engineer Turner. on being
questioned, said that the machine could be
used as ii now is, but it is IN bad shape
and would be liable TO give out in case of /
ire.
Gen. Estey said the village is better pro-
ected now than ever before. Tor the Estey
Organ company has now a steamer thor
)ughly rebuilt, as good as new. and subject
o the call of the department if it is needed |
Il any time.
The Board of BaiIIfs.