The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-02-06


ance rates is still to be found on all
persons are asking the question-who
is responsible for the maintenance Of
this increased rate?
There are some who are inclined to
indirectly fix the blame on the adminis-
tration but the facts in the case do not
warrant even the suggestion of such
an implication. The administration,
acting through Director of Public Safe
ty II. l.. Wormser, has done everything
possible to secure a reduction OF the
rates but all to no avail because of the
apparent desire of the board of fire
underwriters to continue the increased
rate in force.
The rate was increased some eleven
months ago shortly after the big fire
on Lackawanna avenue which did
upwards of $5O0O00 damage. At that
time it was given out by the board of
fire underwriters for the middle dis
trict that the pink slips would be taken
off just as soon as certain requirements
set forth in a statement issued by the
local board in the summer of 1900 were
complied with.
Last April the fire department was
re-organi2ed, the volunteer force be-
ing disbanded and an entirely paid de-
partment came into being. New hose
was purchased and also q new first
class steamer and q first-class hook
and ladder truck. thus fulfilling with
one or two minor exceptions all the
requirements demanded by the local
underwriters.
ANOTHER REQUIREMENT
Director of Public Safety Wormser
entered into communication with the
officers of the board of underwriters
for the middle district and was in
formed that as soon as large size IL
inch hydrants We're installed on Lacka-
wanna avenue and othe" streets in the
central city, the rates would be re-
duced and the pink slips removed.
The director, anxious to have the
extra burden taken off insurance payers
as soon as possible, fastened to COM
ply with the request and the hydrantS
We're purchased and installed. While
this matter was pending the director
was in constant communication with
the officials of the board of under
writer's and received repeated assur-
ances that as soon as the hydrants
We're installed the pink slips would
come off instanter.>
Upon the strength of these assur-
ances and relying upon the word of the
insurance officials, Director Wormser
made public announcement that the
rates were about to be reduced. Great
was his surprise after the installation
of the hydrants to find another hitch.
The hydrants We're all very well, said
the insurance people, but, ahem!-there
was great need for central fire sta
ton and the necessity of purchasing
more hose was very apparent so that,
ahem!--it had been decided to keep the
pink slips on until these additional
requirements We're complied with.
DIRECTOR DISPLEASED.
1t is not difficult to imagine that the
director was displeased, to say the
least at this breach of faith but he
repressed his emotions and politely re-
minded the insurance men of their
former promise. They We're inexorable,
however, and insisted upon a fulfill
ment of their latest requirements. The
director accordingly inserted in his es-
innate for the coming fiscal year an
item of $1,000 for the purchase of new
hose and provision for the erection OF
a central fire station in the rear of the
municipal building is to be made in the
bond ordinance soon to be introduced
in councils
City officials expect that when the
hose is purchased and the contract for
the building is let, demand for the
purchase Of ten new steamers and a
dozen new hose wagons will come in.
They have about decided that the in
surance people do not intend to take off
the pink slips at all and that in pre-
senting new demands every little while
they are merely "sparring for wind"
prior to an announcement that the in
crease in the insurance rates is on to
stay and will not be taken off.