The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-03-06
INSURANCE RATES PUT UP.
INCREASED 10 PER CENT. by THE
TARIFF ASSOCIATION.

Niaguire-Tnsurance Men Say the
Companies Are Tired of Paying
Losses Incurred Through made
auate Fire ProtectiOn-Chairm
Grayxon says the Fire Commission
VIII Not he BuIIdOzed-Mayor Mel
drim Not Surprised at the Increase.
The rate of fire insurance in Savannah
has been raised 10 per cent. Inc
increase win go into effect to-mor-
row. Notices to this effect were
received by the local agents yes
terday through Mr.. ]. NJ. Harris. stamp
ing clerk Of the Southeastern Tariff Asso-
citation. The decision to raise the rates
was made at meeting of the executive
committee in Atlanta Friday.
To some the action of the association
will come in The nature Of a surprise, but
a majority of tax payers knew the insur-
ance companies were doing a good deal
OF talking on account Of the large number
of recent fires and heavy losses.
The companies give no reason for their
action and intimate that the people can
read between the lines. This can be easily
done though. and the raise amounts to a
practical renewal OF the old fight on the
fire department. The feeling which has ex-
listed with many since charges were pre-
ferred against Chief Mcguire, is thought to
have been revived by the recent losses and
influences brought to bear to impress the
tariff association with the alleged incom-
potency of the fire department and the ad-
tect the companies.
A Morning News reporter saw the Tar
If Associations local representative, Mr..
j. M. Harris and a number of insurance
men last night Mr.. Harris was asked
concerning the raise, and particularly the
reason for 1t. He said it is on account
Of the heavy fire losses the companies
have suffered during the last sixty Gays,
and intimated that the organization of the
FIRE department is not the least considara-
ton that led to the increase. The compa-
nies, he said. are dissatisfied with che city S
protection against fire, and, in order TO
save themselves heavier losses in future,
they decided to raise the rates. Consider
able stress was laid upon the weakness of
the department and its inefficient work
at recent fires. particularly the Conlsiin
building, ali of which showed that the
weightiest argument probably presented to
the executive committee in asking for the
raise was the alleged weakness of the de-
partment.
A well-known insurance man was asked
concerning the increase, He said point
blank thai the action was due to the pres
ent organization of the fire department.
The association comprises the leading in
surance companies in the Southeastern
states and members are bound 10 concur as
in the case of other associations where a
number of corporations consolidate for
common purpose. Insurance viii be
, higher still in Savannah, he thought, if
steps are not taken TO hold down the fire
losses. AS to the conditions under which
the 10 per cent. increase may be reduced
to the former rate, he had no hesitancy
ia saying that he thought the removal of
Chief Mcguire would bring about that re-
suit. What the insurance companies
want. he said, is to cut down the loss, and
the people should know The best way to
accomplish that under the prevailing con-
ditions. There Is no chance to remove the
chief he thought, in view of the present
complexion of the Fire Commission, Mr..
Cunningham being probably the only mem
Der who would vote for the removal In
asmuch as Commissioner Nell has recent
ly gone into the insurance business, it is
possible that he may look at the situation
IN different light.
Simmered down the act of the insur-
ance companies is considered by a major
ify to be an attempt to force the city to
reorganize the fire department. If this is
moi the case, the object then Is to partially
repair the losses thus far suffered. The
companies claim there has been something
like $500, coo fire loss during the last sixty
dave and 1arerp uerrpptape of II thew
attribute to inadequate fire protection.
Among the losses claimed by them is the
Cathedral, S66,009; Conklin's stock and fix
lures, $4,000; cotton press building, 49,
0o0; Flannery buildings $4,000; sheds
around cotton press, $3.50; stock in cars
and around cotton press $4,000; lumber
around press. S2,00o; Savannah Grocery
Company, 81. so; jackson loss, So, 400; Tecple
loss, $3.50; II. Traub. building, 5000.
These are only rough estimates given by
an insurance man, but he thinks the fig
ures are conservative.
Chairman Grayson of the Fire Commits
eioners was seen in regard TO the increase.
He said it was little more than he ex-
pected. The fight on the commission had
been such chronic one, he said, that he
had got used 10 it and felt little surprise
at any turn the situation might take. The
commission Is still in the hands of the
people he said, and as long as he remains
in the Office he Intends 10 do what he
thinks will conduce to the interest of the
tax payers. The object of the fire depart
ment he said, is to protect property and
he does not intend taking any steps that
will impair il, nor does he propose to be
dictated to by insurance companies or any
body else about the manner in which he
performs his duties as commissioner.
There has been a disposition, he said TO
criticise the department for its inefiiciency,
the only effect of which is, If anything, to
hold 1t down.
MIR. Grayson called attention to the re-
cord the department made last year,
which was admitted TO be the lowest fire
loss in the South, lie declined TO discuss
the matter or it's probable effect further
than that he would not be Influenced or
bulldozed by the insurance companies to
vote for Chief Maguire's discharge or take
any step not ia accord with his judgment
and the peoples will.
Mayor Meldrim was seen last night in
reference to the increase. 1t was his first
information of the matter and he was moi
ready to discuss Il at length. He express
ed no surprise, however and il developed
in further conversation that some OF his
friends among the insurance men had
poured their tales of woe into his ear
the main trouble being the alleged inefh-