The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-05-09
| CHANGE DEMANDED
Fire Underwriters Charge
Discord in Department.
May Affect Rates Unless Friction is Removed
Letter 10 Board Of Alderman Stating
Complaint of Fire lns. Cos.

Something OF a sensation was caused
in Raleigh yesterday when it leaked out
that In the caucus of the full Board of
Aldermen letter had been read from
the local board OF fire underwriters re-
questing a reorganization of the Fire De-
partment of the city and charging such
lack of harmony in the department as
to impair efficient service.
A meeting of the local board of under
writer's was held on Saturday afternoon
last and a resolution to this effect adopt
ed and the president and secretary In
structed to convey the opinion of the
board to the Board of Aldermen. The
sentiment of the meeting was plainly In
favor of the necessity of an increased
rate OF insurance for this city, if che
discord alleged was found to exist.
No personal charge was made against
Chief L. II. Lumsden or Assistant Chief
Baker, but the complaint of the under.
writer's is said to be responsible for the
first steps already taken in the reorgani-
zation of the department by the election
Of Chief Walter Woolcott and Assistant
Chief M. W. Croker whether there are
to be changes in the officers of the vari-
Gus companies, and whether the Board
OF Aldermen will consider the further
suggestion of the underwriters as to
placing the department under the class
of paid departments. is not announced
The letter to the members of the new
board on Monday is as follows:
Raleigh, N. c.. May 4, 1909
Honorable Mayor and Board of Aldermen
of the City of Raleigh, N. C.
Dear Sirs: The local Board Of Under
! 49, ID,
your attention to a matter of much i'm
portance to all the people of our city
We understand there has been a Ia Ii;
of harmony in the ranks of the fire de-
partment which we believe is detrimen-
tai to the interests of property holders
in this city, as also to the insurance COM
panies, who have large interests at stake.
While we dsclaim any intention or de-
sire tc reflect upon the action of any
one. yet we feel that the interest of the
property owners of our city demands that
this lack of harmony should be removed.
and the efficiency of the department in
creased to the fullest extent. We esti-
mate that but little more than one-half
of the property values of Raleigh are in
sured and therefore it is of equal i'm
portance TO our people and the interests
we represent that the fire department
should measure up to the standard for a
first-class city. Raleigh is rated by the
insurance companies as a frst-class city.
One of the prerequisites to this classifi-
cation is a paid fire department organized
on an efficient basis, and where this is
not the case the classification is lowered,
according to the lack of efficiency and
tn rates of insurance necessarily in
creased and we do not wish this to be
done here.
If, as we have been informed. such
lack of harmony exists as to impair the
fullest and most efficient work Of the
department, then we strongly urge that
a complete organization is in order
and should have the attention of your
honorable board at the earliest oppor-
tunity.
1t is hoped that you gentlemen will
give this matter the consideration 1t de-
serves.
G. COWPER, Secretary.
w. s. PRIMROSE, President.