The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-07-24

TINE 1xsC.AscE TRUST AGAIN.

TINE GxsCnAScE TRUST AGAIN.
The FOst-Inteisigencsr learns from
contemporary that Mr.. Lee Mackenzie.
surveyor OF the Fire Underwriters Az
sociatlon. has been giving the boardlof
public works some valuable informa-
ton. II also learns with grief that Mr..
Mackenzie was very Indignant At the
way q local morning paper has ''preju-
diced. the minds Of the public ~ to the
intent Of the IRE underwriters in deal
Ing with property owners-
The local paper referred to Is the
Poss-Inteliigencer. When Mr.. Mac
ksnxie first came TO this city last spring
for the purpose Of making q new sur
ysy Of the city. and announced that
owing to tho deplorab,e condition Of the
tire department he feared rates might
have To be increasd In certain quarters.
IL took occasion to call his attention TO
the fact that the IRE department.
judged by its admirable record, was far
from being In the condition depicted BY
him. II also protested against the un-
fair and hsEhrhanded treatment the
people Of this state had suffered from
tina insurance trust. Hence Mr.. Mac
Kenzie's indignation. Instead Of cali
Ing the attention OF the public TO the
way they are being robbed. he would
prefer &c have soporifc administered
that the underwriters may slug their
victims into insenslbilIty with higher
rates without . single protesting strug.
sic.
Mr. Maekensia's valuable informa-
ton. which he impaired to the board,
In In effect that. II $4,000 In expended
In the purchase OF additional IRE appar-
atus and the equipment of the several
stations with additional men. the busi-
ness districts of the city will receive a
reduction Ia the present Insurance
rates. Whether the cost Of the two
new firss-eiass engines already ordered
and the contract for putting the old
ones I'm good repair. amounting In all
to Some sis.ooo. In Included in Mr. Mac
kenxie's $4,000 IL not stated. He does
not propose la let the residence por-
ton of the city share In the benefits
obtained by this large expenditure. al
though 1t will be called upon to pay its
proportion OF the tax.
The fact Is. as the rost.In,eiigencer
pointed out last spring. the insurance
rates i'm Seattle. not only In the bust
ness part. bat throughout the city. are
now. and for years have been. excess
lively high. considering the character of
the buildings and the fire protection
furnished. Without expanding a doisai
in the hestermen, Of the fire DEPART
ment. oar citizens afe entitled IL a re-
duesson In rates. In the face OF this
through Mr.. Maekenxse. says "in-
crease the efficiency II your IRE DEPART
naent ~ large expenditures for equip
nent aud the employment of more mer
so as 20 reslues our risks 30 the lowest
possible minimum ard we Will reduce
rates In the business district
The people ef this state are tired o!
being treated BY the fire underwriters
as a frontier community entitled 10 no
consideration other than to b. charged
all she traffic viii. bear. Conditions
here do Dot warrant such treatment
Insurance rates ln California are fas
lower sAsn IN this sSase. although tire
fire. risks there arc Tuach greater than
he,ss. "a will be eeen by comparison
~ tbe ratio 81 lcSses 81 premiums Cor
the past thyee years In the two ssates
For she Years issS. ~ and rs ,he rat,
;n California was eSt. sal. Ns pes
eeus,. respectively. for Washington.
sSf. So sna sss res eent In fawer ~
Washington fss tbs three years. as
PEI cvnt. What is thers ls shese ssxares
10 iassify the Discrimination
ID aS&TX ia maxi a AfFssfSsfs& against
tAss state. Insurance ;ahie tusslers IN
SIS: 80 taking q r~rsaz. ~ ssseen Years
unea whigA 10 haSs their cascu2aslasas
This lnc!nsssx the eansssressoa year ~
tssa. In which she is4sG -a.>e trust
xlats~s rats es sas s Yer cen,. loss "a
The ;svsnianas rast Fer tAe ask tee
year. she people ef this state aAye ben
gsssresi&sslx tsSss by she uasterwrlterS
I'm order 60 scsoaa their iskss% far thai
year. Does ARE hasArf eever a less
II prospect or In retrospect
In ali fairness &c sas ss@aF&ney rust
sAe Post .gnsesisgsnesw wares e: - rake
syon voluntary concessions - tAe reo-