The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-06-28
INSURANCE IN SAVANNAH.
THE EXTRA TEN PER CENT.
CHARGE TAKEN OFF.


The Reduction Granted by the Exec
utive Board of the southeastern
Tariff Association on the Showing
Made by Chairman Cunningham OF
the Board of Fire Commissioners.
President Gay Explains the Stand
Taken by His Board.
Atlanta, Ca, June I-F'ire insurance in
Savannah. except on residence risks, will
cost 10 per cent. less after tomorrow than
Il has. for six months or more past.
The reduction was granted to-day by
the executive board of the Southeastern
Tariff Association, after a hearing from
Chairman Cunningham OF the board Of
fire commissioners.
Chairman Cunningham, as the spokes-
man for the committee which came up
from Savannah this morning to go before
the executive board, made a showing that
was entirely satisfactory to that body
and after a brief consultation the order
was passed granting the removal of the
10 per cent. which was added to the Sa-
vannah commercial rate some months ago.
just after the Cathedral fire.
This leaves the rate where it was before
the tariff association determined to take
a hand in reforming the administration of
the fire department.
In speaking of the action of the board
tonight, President Gay said; I'VE were
only too glad to grant the request of Sa-
vannah. Our association has never had
any desire TO put a penalty upon the peo-
pie there, but we were simply obliged to
take the stand we did TO draw the atten-
ton of the Savannah people to their fire
department and bring about the needed
reforms.
chairman Cunningham to-day detailed
10 us the Improvements that have already
been made. the securing of the government
tug for the protection of the water front,
the addition of apparatus to the depart
ment, the enlargement and Improvement
of mains and the elimination of politics
from the fire department.
"In view of these accomplishments and
further Improvements to be made we felt
that the fire projections of the city now
Justify the withdrawal of the additional
10 per cent made necessary by the extra
risk due to inefficient protection some
months ago.
II will say further that We have never
had any desire to mix up with the per-
sonal management of the fire department.
We do not care who are commissioners
or who is chief. All we have ever asked
was that the department be made efficient,
which could only be done by the officials
attending to their duties.
1--WE have full confidence in the present
administration and feel assured from the
statement made to-day that the Savannah
department viii soon be all that could be
expected.
The following letter explains itself:
Mr. T. M. Cunningham Jr., Chairman
Board of ire Commissioners: Dear Sir
In view of the statements made by your
committee to The executive committee of
The Southeastern Tariff Association. as to
the negotiations of the city of Savannah
for the service of the government boat for
fire protection on the water front of your
city, the enlargement of water mains, the
purchase of additional fire apparatus and
the elimination of politics from the man
agement and control of the fire depart
ment, and other improvements made and
contemplated, the executive committee
adopted a resolution to discontinue the 10
per cent. extra charge heretofore required
on certain risks in Savannah.
I'VE take pleasure in communicating
this action to you, and wishing you every
success in the mana cement of your de-
partment, have the honor to remain, your
obedient servant
Charles C. Fleming, Secretary"