Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1903-01-01
Ry Robert LeckyJ


It is q fact little known that Rieh-
mend Is the home OF more msnancx
capital than any other city OF the South,
in fact. any city south OF the Potomax
and Ohio rivers. The income OF the Inc
srrance companies of the city exceedf
the receipts of all the Insurance. come
panies of New Orleans and Atlanta com.
bincd. 1t exceeds those OF all OF ths
cities Of the South combined. not incluG.
ing New Orleans. The income OF sou1
home companies. drawing their revenues
from many States, vii; exceed sa0 LOCI
for the year tso2 The Number O. erns
ployees In the home offices located 10
the city will exceed 200 and most OF them
are headA of families. making It con1s
petent to claim that this industry In ths
city cares for at least 600 of our people
For fear that the figures may not bs
grasped. let me repeat. viz: that the re-
ceipts. of the local insurance companies
of Richmond exceed those OF the local
companies domiciled in Louisville. Men.
phis, Atlanta. Columbus. Mobile. vicks
burg. Raleigh and every other city ef &
the South. all combined except New.
Orleans: and that they exceed those Of
New Orleans and Atlanta combined.
Remarkable Experiences.
During the year which has just closed.
those OF us whose voca tons keep US In
constant touch with the fire 4epartment.
and other closely allied interests HAY ".
been profoundly impressed with ttier.
rather remarkable experiences OF the
year. and also with the development of
the municipal interes. displayed In ne-
half of increased water and fire service.
s For the past three years It appeared
that the city was under the spell OF con-
troll by the fire demon: our largest hoteL
many OF the most prominent b1stnes.
buildings had fallen prey to It's aI,~
parently unsattab bIe greed and this con-
dition Of affairs extended into the spring
of this year. when II seemed to be salts
fed with the continual torment IL had
inflicted on Richmond. ard as sudden,
and apparently unwarranted. had been lta
attack on the city. as quickly did it
cease. Without notice 1T came and so
1t left During the year e*erv spot where
fires have been are now rebuilt and with
the exception Of the efferson, not
trace can be found; business houses are
rebuilt and trada has been restored a
wonderful Testimony to the fact that the
fires were not the act OF design, but were
"a calamity.
DEVELOPMENTS OF THE YEAE-
The additions to The Fire Department.
have been needed for several years, but
1t remained for 1902 to see the substans
tia1 strength given to this important
branch of public service
Another development of the year.
equally important with that of the Fira
Department. has been the Increase Ia
size and number of water mains
hydrants. and connections made possfbla
by Increased appropriations to the Wateg
Department
The planting of electric wires unders
ground is decided step In the direction
where lies the difference between city
ard town. the public generally wifi
appreciate this when the streets are clear
ed Of the unsishtly poles. and It viii he
possible TO fight fires without the dam
ger OF wires being added to those of
fire fighting. However. 1t Is for our new !
year to compIste this evolution IN our
city life. -