The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-09-12
WITH HOME COMPANY
SAVANNAIIIANS COULD SECURE
REASONABLE INSURANCE RATE.
MAYOR MYERS REMEDY.
OUTLINES PLAN FOR ORGANIZING A
LOCAL CONCERN.

Mayor Does Not Believe That South
eastern Tariff Association win
Remove Objectionable IL Cents
Unless Citizens Act-WOuId Sub
scribe to stock HimseIf-Tarif As
SOciatiOn Cannot Possibly Con-
tend That Water supply Is Not
Sufficfent-Without Rcrating City
Now Is Cents Could Be Taken OF.
When argument, based on fact, is of
no avail, when appeals and entreaties for
justice are futile, then coercion should
be resorted to.
This is the opinion of those who have
been vainly endeavoring to get the
Southeastern Tariff Associa ton to take
off the extra Is cents added to Savan-
nah's already exorbitant insurance rate.
1t is frankly admitted that the extra
Is cents was put on Savannah when
the water supply was inadequate and
when the fire department was not as
efficient as it now is. Yet the South
estern Tariff Observation-Disclosures as
gigantic trust by City Council-moves
like a sloth. and nothing has been
accomplished.
Mayor Herman Myers-not only May
or, but d man of varied business in
terests-is among those who favor
adopting drastic measures. Those in
terested in the agitation-and every
man and woman who carries insurance
has something at stake-feel that it is
high time that some relief should be
afforded.
way in which relief can be secured
is pointed out by Mayor Myers in an
interview given the Morning News, and
il is probable that steps will be taken
to organize an insurance company in
Savannah. This is the idea of the
Mayor, and he has expressed a will
ingness to subscribe for stock. He is
certain that there are quite number
of business men who would put their
money in such a project.
Truth Is Admitted.
Il presume that the Southeastern
Tariff Association is satisfied that we
have ample water supply and pres
sure, and an efficient fire department,
and that we are entitled to a lower
rate" said Mayor Myers, when asked
if the city had ever heard anything
from the committee that tested the
water supply and pressure in Savan-
nah some two or three months ago
I'VE have not heard a single word
since the test was made and under
the circumstances it is only reasonable
to presume that no fault was found.
At any rate the extra Is cents could
come off without the city being re-
rated. 1t could be easily taken off in
the same fashion that it was put on.
That is if the association had mind
to do the proper thing.
IF GtrilrnC that the time has r.
rived for our citizens to rise up in
their might and do something. They
should take steps to relieve them
selves of one of the heaviest tax bur-
dens that rests upon their shoulders;
that is the heavy insurance rate that
they are now fairly staggering under.
50 long as they submit, so long will
, they be imposed upon
Form Local Company.
81 recommend the formation of a
company TO be capitalized at say $780,,
O00 That is, provided we can get men
who have had experience to take
charge of the matter. do not be-
lieVe that there would be the slight
est difficulty on this score. There is
no doubt in my mind but that rates
from 25 per cent. to 40 per cent. less
than those that now prevail would
mean a profitable investment. Bust
ness men and real estate owners would
subscribe to SUCH a company, l am
sure. l would take stock myself.
"Of course this alone would not rem
edy the evil that now exists, as one
company could not take such a great
number of risks as would be necessary
in a single block. The local company,
however, could secure the agencies of
four or five large foreign or domestic
companies that are not in the South
eastern Tariff Association, and some
of the insurance could be placed with
these companies by the local COM
pany BY such a combination relief
would be afforded.
Calls Fleming Down.
II was surprised to hear that let
ter had been received by the Chamber
of Commerce from Secretary Fleming of
the Southeastern Tariff Association, in
been sent to Savannah to rerate the
city for the reason that he did not
consider it altogether safe for an I'M
acclimated man to come here at this
season of the year.
IF Mr.. Fleming is not better posted
on insurance matters than he is on the
health conditions of this city I think
that his resignation is in order. Sa-
vannah's health statistics will compare
most favorably with the statistics of
any city in the country. The excel
lent showing of the health department
has been commented upon time and
time again. and 1 invite Secretary
Fleming, or any one else. to make the
fullest investigation. The matter of a
local companV should be taken up at