The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-03-09
WAITING ON A COMMITTEE.
INSURANCE MEN AGAIN POSTPONED
THEIR MEETING.

THEIR MEETING.
a Special Committee Preparing TO
Report-Agents Insist That Politics
HAD Nothing TO Do With the In
crease I'm Rates-ORiniODs Differ as
TO Cause of Tariff Associations
Action, HOyvever-some Think the
Increase May Call for LegisIation.
The insurance men again postponed their
meeting. which was to have been held yes
terday. on account Of their special commit
tee not being ready TO make its report
This committee is composed Of three IN
derwriters. whose duty is understood to De
70 submit report on the situation that
the agents may be better able to arrive al
some definite conclusion concerning the
rate increase.
When asked concerning the report OF
dissatisfaction among some Of the agents
as a result OF the increase, well informed
agents denied that there is any Ill feel
ing Many disapprove the action OF
the tariff association. however. and would
have prevented the increase had it been
within their power. Anticipating that such
an increase would be unpopular and know
ing that the results would be to deprive
them of considerable revenue, at least for
a time it is not unnatural that they
should regard the movement with about
as much aversion as the taxpayers.
While the belief is pretty general, stn
the insurance men do not want It under
stood that they urged the association to
raise rates Ia order to concentrate politi-
cal feeling against Chief Mcguire, and
thus secure his removal The reason for
the. increase, they say, was stated in the
interview had in Atlanta with President
Upper of the tariff association They
claim the order for the increase was by a
committee identified with Savannah only
in business way, and which has no po-
lticsl scars to remove. sam. the belief
prevails that the object of the movement
is to bring about Maguire's removal and
secure such other reforms in the fire &C.
partment as will Insure a restoration Of
the old rate. This opinion prevails with
those politically allied with Fire Commits
sioners Grayson and Nell and with the
commission IN its fight with the Council.
.'Aiy belief is that the movement by the
Southeastern Tariff Association originated
from recommendations made to 1t by Sa-
vauhah agents. Said a Bay street mer-
chant: Il think one Of the pur-
poses is to influence the Supreme Court.
which is apt to decide the litigation be-
tween the Fire Commission and Council
at any time. As is well known, the case
has been argued some time ago and de-
cision is expected monentarily. Were
breeze OF sentiment against the commits
sion created at this time, and | notice 1t
has already taken a start In Atlanta, there
is no calculating what influence IL might
have.
But my belief is that this movement by
the association may react" he continued,
s.and result in an effort on the
part of citizens TO get the leg
islature to open the state 10 all
'.and in an effort on the part of citizens to
get the legislature to open the state 10 all
Insurance companies desiring TO do BUSH
ness here. There are plenty of good COM
panies which viii not do business in Geor-
gia because they will not tie up $4,000 as
a deposit with the state. Some years ago
the legislature repealed the act requiring
this deposit and it was not until the in
surance companies made a strong, COM
bined effort that it was re-enacted. While
the city now is not in a hopeless condition
in regard TO getting insurance with good
companies at reasonable rates, still the
present concerted action of the tariff as
sociafion and the Savannah compact, strik-
fngav reveals the attitude property own
ers must assume in the face of imperative
demands by consolidated insurance COM
panies."
Within q stones throw Is another bust
ness man who entertains just the opposite
view and justihes the action of the assoc
cialon. He says the fire department
Is composed OF men OF puny physique, in
competent and unskilled in fire fighting,
and who should be replaced by capable
men. The affinity which the insurance
companies have with the city and their in
terest in the preservation of both public
and private property from destruction by
fire, at once entities them, he thinks, to a
voice In managing the department, espec-
tally when it is being operated in a man
ter detrimental 10 their interests. He con-
siders the action of the association no
more than justifable method to bring
about a change in the fire department.
Concerning the demand of the insurance
men that che department be removed from
politics, he expressed the opinion that the
demand Is reasonable. To place an in
competent man in the department simply
because he rendered political service 10
the party in power will cripple the serv-
ice. He also thought there would be no
reflection on the city or the Fire Com
misisoners If a chief were obtained from
another city
Chief Mcguire does not see how he Is to
be disposed Of. He is congratulating him
self On the fact that the insurance COM
panies were more lenient to him than to
his predecessor, during whose administra-
ton as chief the rate was raised % per
cent. He said emphatically that he does
not intend TO resign, but will continue &c
I'LL the ONCE 10 the best possible interests
of the property owners
NOTHING HEARD OF l.. n. ROBINSON