The age-herald., 1899-09-21
Tariff Association Cuts Under the Inde-
 pendent Companies. WANT TO RE TAIN BUSINESS Birmingham Has Been Paying 100 Per
 Cent. More Than Atlanta. MERCHANTS STICK TO INDEPENDENT Over $l5o,ooo Has Been Written With in the Past Few Deys-The Board
 Takes Up Subject of an
 Official Weigher
ERCHANTS SLICK TO INDEPENDENT

Insurance rates in Birmingham are on the decline due to the action of the Board of Trade in taking up the question some weeks ago
 The Southeastern Tariff association. against which the fight is being made. has cut under the independent companies. A general rate war is imminent, in which the lnsuring public will be the benefciarles.
 While the fight has so far consisted only of skirmishes, in which a few guns have been discharged, it is almost certain that a hot battle will be precipitated
 Sprung at Board of Trade
 The first inEiing of the war was made public at the meeting of the Board of Trade. held last night, when several mem- bers stated that they had been offered in- suranee by representa- tives of the compact companies at rates less than those offered by the independent companies to retain the business.
 In the meantime the merchants are plac- ing their business witch the independent companies and have assurances that with in the next few days there will be ten new companies in the field prepared to write the ehlfe business of the city at less rates than have ever been offered in the city.
 The regular meeting of the board was called to order in the parlors of Elks, hall at S:SO o'clock by President Chalifoux. Under the head of reports of committees MT. ONeill of the special insurance com mlttee, in the absence of Chairman Mo Gowan, reported that the committee had investigated the independent companies now doing business in this city and found them hrst class in every respect. He also reported that the committee had been in- formed that connections were being made with ten new companies, who would be prepared to carry the entire insurance of the city. In making his report MT O'Neill called attention to the fact that Birming ham, under the dictates of the Southeast ern Tariff association, was paying 100 per cent. more than Atlanta as basis rate, giving the following comparative figures on the thousand:
 Atlanta. B'ham. Brick dwellings. ........... ..$250 $500 Frame dwellings ...... ....... 350 I.J0
 Mr. O'Neill supplemented his report by stating that Mir Howard, who represents the three independent companies, had al- ready written more than one hundred and fifty thousand dollars among the members of the Board of Trade and had assurances of quarter of a million for next month when present policies would expire.
 Recieved With Enthusiasm
 The report though not complete, was received with much enthusiasm. and brought forth expressions from several members who made known the fact that the compact companies were offering cut rates to retain business.
 Marcus Weil of M. Well & Bro, stated that he had been paying $1.0o per hundred dollars on his residence, and that MT. Howard had offered to carry the risk for 80 cents. When this fact was made known to the agents of the compact company they offered the same rate, which Mir Well de- clined to accept in justice to MT. Howard, whereupon a 75-cent rate was offered.
 MT. Anderson, of the Moore & Anderson company, stated that their rate had been increased by the compact companies to $l.G0, and that MT. Howard had taken the risk at $1. As soon as they learned of it, the compact companies offered a lower rate, which the firm refused to accept, stating that they would not give it to them al a 15-cent rate.
 Mr Howard, who was present, was corded the privilege of the floor and stated that the Southeastern Tariff association had discriminated against Birmingham and would continue to do so as long as the merchants allowed 1t.
 He called attention to the Atlanta diff ferential and asked the merchants in the event of a rate war to sustain the inde- pendent companies as protection against +,o nj would be to drive out other companies and again put up the rates. MT. Towards speech was received with applause.
 Other important business was transacted by the board in the regular order.
 President Chalifoux reported that on ac- count of the rush of business there had been no meeting of the board of control, and announced that hereafter the meetings of the governing body would be held at S D. m. o'clock on regular meeting nights. Chairman David J. Fox of the legisla- tive committee, to which had been referred the resolution condemning the action of the city council in electing two detectives, re- ported that meeting of the committee had been held and a report agreed upon, but that the committee had reconsidered its action and asked for further time, which was granted. The report of the com mittee is understood to have been adverse to the resolution.
 John W. O'Neih of the retail trades com mittee reported that the committee ex- pected to get actively to work in the next few days.
 Five Gents Fare to Ensley
 Chairman klotz of the suburban train and excursion committee reported that a conference had been held with the officials of the Birmingham Railway and Electric regarding a 5-cent fare to Pratt City and Ensley, and that the committee had been given assurances that the mat ter would be taken up by the board of di- rectors. They were further assured that