The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-01-11

ance sufficient to meet the requirements
OF some OF our customers on Richmond
city risks. The companies remaining SOL
Nent aDc. conunuins business mere are
simply, in many cases, arDiuariy eH-
acung eacn Ior Itsei1 such rates as may
be oeemeu by the manager to be ade-
quace.
The statutes OF Virginia MAKE it unlaW-
fui Tor any uniIea action or co-operauVe
eILort on the hasis OF a common OF akree~
rate to De taken by companies or agents,
under penalty OF confinement in the state
penitent.ary, anc TINS most vital factor
In tie business of TINS community IS III
such a state as to call tor the proihp'
exercise OF the best judgment OK your
honorable bodIes IN the euoft 10 plils
ABOUT such REFORMS as may lsSseh III {
hazard and reauce the fearful IRE loss
rauo of Klcnmond, tor wnich your PC
tlueners 90 most humply pray.
Respectfully submitted
fStpned by every fire otfice in Richmond> }
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE COMMIT
TEES
These are the gentlemen OF the hlsui-
arce and Legislation Committees Oh lhe
Chamber of Commerce VINO reco reco1liiie1to
TO the Board of Directors OF that hooS
what procedure, measures and enact
ment' will be deemed wise TO stay tue
fire waste in Richmond:
nsurance-Messrs. Jas. R. Gordon, Ed
gar s. Freeman. Cunningham HAM, 5.
T. Pulliam, NJ. ]. Straus, and Charies
K. Willis.
Legislation-Messrs W. O. SHELTON
Beverly B. Munford a. S. Buford, Geo.
l.. Christian, j. Taylor Eilyson, and Il.
Garland Pollard.
rh. will meet Jointly ana
will choose their own chairman
1t was thought by some that the new
committees would handle the matter,
since the action was taken upon the
evening of the election of a. new presl-
dent. But this gentleman, Mr. II. l..
Cabell said last night that the commit
tees under the old administration would
act, as he had not yet appointed those
that are to serve under him.
The committees have not been called
to meet. It is almost certain, however,
that they will get together early next
week. Their duty was indicated above.
They will suggest TO the Board OF Direc-
tors of the Chamber Just what they can
think out as the best means by which
the city can fortify itself from great
fire waste The board will, in turn,
make a representation to the Council.
The Council Committee on Fire Depart
n1ent purposes also to take what action
that is in their power to help matters
along. This committee meets Monday
night, and will then. according to one OF
its members, endeavor to learn what
power it Is supposed to have and what
its duties may be.
SOME INTERESTING FIGURES
The entire city OF Richmond is insured
for, SIS 600 600 The rate for Richmond is
Sl.1o The income OF the insurance com
panies a year is about 100000. There are
fffty-five companies represented in Rich
mond. During the year approximately
twelve insurance companies have failed
because Of the epidemic of fires that has
visited not only Richmond. but the entire
country. Some thirty or forty companies
have withdraWn-froR the Southern terri
tory. Four companies have withdrawn
from Danville. They are the London and
Lancastershire, of London the Oriental.
of Hartford; the Niagara, of New York;
the Hanover. of New York Twelve COM
panies withdrew from Eichmond in 1901.
Among them We're the London and Ian
casterslire, the Madgeburg, of Germany:
the Lion, of London; the Caledonia, of
Scotland: the Manhattan, of New York:
the American, of New York, and others.
A prominent insurance manager said
yesterday: THE insurance companies
have decided what they must and will
DO, unless the city takes some decisive
and effective step to stay the fire waste.
They will raise the rate of insurance, or
they will follow the suit of the others and
withdraw from the city That places
the responsibility to act in the premises
(Confir1I,aS on Second Page