The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-06-05
WANT THE RATES REDUCED.
INSURANCE AGENTS SAY THEY ARE
LOSING BUSINESS.

Have Been Asked to Get Their Com
panies to Urge an Early Meeting
of Tariff Association Executive
Committee to Consider AbrOgating
the Recent Raise in Savannah.
Change in Fire Commission and
Purchase of New Apparatus Be
Heved to Warrant Cheaper Insur-
ance.
Il it quite probable insurance rates will
be lowered by the Southeastern Tariff AS
ISOLATION within a short time, since the
Savannah agents have Joined to prevail on
the companies they represent to ask for a
special meeting of the executive commit
tee to consider conditions here. There is
no hiding the fact that the recent raise
in rates has proven a drawback to asso-
citation compares in the loss of business.
Since being modified the increase of 10
per cent. applies to everything except
dwellings and risks provided with some
sort of fire protection. This takes in all
business property of course, with few ex-
ceptions, in cases where buildings are sup
piled with automatic or other devices for
.
terests which demand il most and require
the greatest amount Is therefore made
expensive the effct of which is telling on
the business of local agents
The recent change in the Fire Commits
sion, the purchase of additional equip
ment and other changes said to be con-
templated, are deemed sufficient for re-
quest that the increased rate be abrogat-
ed When the advance was made the as
ISOLATION unhesitatingly asserted that the
reason was the weak condition of the fire
department, which, ii was claimed, was
lacking eboth in equipment and men. 1t
was stated by Mr.. s. Y. Upper, then pres
ldent, on visiting Savannah to investigate
conditions for the association, that an
other first class engine was badly need
ed, and it is believed he so informed the
executive committee. He had nothing
particularly to say concerning the per-
sonnet of the department, leaving that to
those more acquainted with 1t, but from
the pressure in the mains, he felt sure an
other engine would greatly strengthen the
service, and possibly would be sufficient
10 warrant a lower rate.
knowing combined movement by the
agents is sure to produce favorable re-
suits, ii Is said the circulars sent them
uuIlhS the last few days clearly set out
the strong points to urge upon their com
p4nies. In the first place the derogatory
eject to association companies, by which
a large share of first-class business is
Hhdlng It's way to other places and other
companies, is pressed as the principal rea-
son for immediate action. Other compa-
mes are making their way into the assoc
cation field and are writing business
formerly controlled bY them. Recent
changes in the department. purchase of
stronger apparatus and other advantages
I" be derived later, are stated as good rea-
sons for believing favorable action will
De taken by the executive committee when
the case is placed before it,
Each agent Is asked to prevail on his
company to urge a meeting in Atlanta al
once, that steps may be taken to lower
me rates Every agent is believed TO
nave acted promptly so that results may
DC expected shortly. All are eager to get
1He old rates restored, and some even
vent SO far as to protest against the in
crease when II was made
business men and others having large in