The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-04-01
TO PREVENT FIRES.
insurance Commissioner
Young Explains the Law.
The Recent Fires in Raleigh Should be Les
son to the Aldermen. Some New Or
dinances Needed

Many good laws upon the statute books
because they are not brought TO the
knowledge oil the people or proi.erly en-
forced. Some very valuable laws regu-
lating the insurance business in the State
were passed by the last Legislature, and
as it was made the duty Of The Insurance
Commissioner Of the State TO look after
their proper enforcement. / desire to call
the attention of the public to the act for
the Investigation of fires" Chapter 5s.
Laws of 1899.
Under this law every fire in the State
is required to be investigated and it's
cause, origin and circumstances looked
into by the officers of the cities and
towns, mayors, chief of fire department OF
fire committee Of board of aldermen.
A heavy penalty is fixed for Il failure
to make this investigation and report
to the Insurance Commissioner OF all cir
cumstances surrounding the ire. If the
facts warrant it the Commissioner is re
quired to take up the investigation, and
make it thorough Even an imperfec;
knowledge and carrying out OF this law
during the past year has resulted in much
good and a saving to the people of the
State of over 100000 in annual premiama
in fire risks.
One Part of this act can also be made
of much real benefit l refer to the part
giving the authority to officers to remove
anything dangerous and likely to cause
fires. / refer to the following:
Sec. 4. The Insurance Commissioner, or
toe r@r} a
committee of the beard of aldermen, shall
have the right at all reasonable hours
for the purpose of examination, to enter
into and upon all buildings and premises
within their jurisdiction Whenever any of
said officers shall find in any building or
upon any premises combustible material,
or innammable conditions dangerous to
the safety of such building or premises
they shall order the same to be removed.
or remedied and such order shall be
forthwith complied with by the owner or
occupant Of said building or premises:
provided, however, that If the said owner
or occupant shall deem himself aggreved
by such order he may, within twenty four
hours, appeal to the Insurance Commits
sioner, and the cause of the complaint
shall lie at once investigated BY the di-
rection of the latter. and unless by his
authority the order CT the fire Chies or
fire committee is revoked such order shall
remain ia force and be forthwith CON-
Piled with by said owner or cccrpant. The
Insurance Commissioner, fire chief or FIRE
committee as aforesaid shall make ar
immediate investigation as to the pres
ence OF ccmbustihle material or The ex-
istence Of naammable conditions in any
building or upon any promises under their
Jurisdiction upon complaint of any person
having an interest in said building or
premises or adjacent thereto Any owner
OF occupant of buildings or premises fail
ing to comply with the orders Of the
authorities above specified shall be pun
ished by fine of not less than ten dol
lars nor mere than fifty dollars for each
days neglect.
There is 70 doubt but that large mum,
Der Of fires in our cities and towns could
be prevented il mere care were taken in
requiring all buildings to be properly
erected ana all premises regularly in
spected 1t is strange, but fact that
even our best citizens will neglect the
proper precautions in building and caring
Fer their houses against fires.
1t is a duty of every city and towr gov
eminent in the State TO see that this law
is properly enforced, and to pass suita.
blt ordinances TO this end as mas beer
lone in Wilmington, Greensboro, Win
ston and other cities.
The recent fires and alarms in the city
Of Raleigh should impress upon the
Board of Aldermen of the city, as we'll az
the property owners, whom they repre-
sent the great Importance of using every
means for the prevention &C fires, espe.
aially such as are provided by laws al
ready en- the statute books. When fires
are starting in cellars, closets. garrete
and such places, it is we'll to look out for
defective hues, trash, waste and such
breeders Of fires.
What applies to our capital city and
may we'll serve as a warning to them
need well apply with equal force, and il
many cases with more, to every city and
own IN the State.
If the authorities of the cities and
owns Of the State will look into this
natter, enforce the law, and make proper
7rdinances alCng this line governing the
rection of buildings and the pr,Der in
spection Of all premises, they will soon
notice wonderful decrease in the num-
Der and frequency of fires, and in time
get an additional decrease of rates by in
'urance companies.
The press of the State can do no better
service than by taking up and Advocating
his matter until it is acted upon. They
ere the educators Of the people, and the
leaders of all reform.
j. r. YOUNG,
Insurance Commissioner.
RALEIGH March 21St ION