The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-10-02
STILL DISCUSSING
 INSURANCE RATES
Sol Caheen Proposes a Plan Which Meets With Approval
WANTS JOINT COMMITTEE
Committee Would Be Expected to Remedy Trouble-Mayor and Board of Trade Awaiting Letters
 From Tariff Asso'n.

While they anxiously await news of the F action of the Southeastern Tariff associa- tion in regard to the reinstatement of Bir- mingham on the insurance basis of frst-class city, merchants and other prop erty holders are still wrought up over the numerous increases in rates.
 Sol caheen, a leading merchant, has suggested plan which all concerned agree upon as being feasible, and which may result in an adjustment Of the trouble. Mr. Caheens plan Is this'
 Appoint a public committee composed of three representatives of the board or trade, three from the mayor and alder men and three from the Commercial club. This committee to meet just as soon as word is received from the insurance peo- pie as to what requirements shall be made of the city to place 1t on nrst- class basis, and to find the trouble and try to remedy it at once. In case of mis- understanding or disagreement commit tee of three from the insurance men of the city to be called Into the conference and let that side of the matter be laid before the conference.
 Klotz Approves caheen's Plan.'
 Simon Klotz president of the board Of trade. says this plan Is a good one He had intended calling a similar meeting as soon as he heard from Secretary Fleming of the tariff association. At a recent meeting of the mayor and aider- men MT. Klotz, as president of the board of trade, was delegated to take the mat ter up and ascertain what was wanted. So far MT. Klotz has not heard from Score tary Fleming. but he expects a letter within the next few days
 The Southeastern Tariff association has been in session in Atlanta for the last two days, and 1t Is understood that the executive committee had up the Birming- ham situation yesterday So far no one in Birmingham has been able to ascer- tain whether any definite action was taken of the nature of such action.
 Mayor Expecting Letter.
 Mayor Drennen Is also awaiting let ter from Secretary Fleming in answer to his last communication. In his letter he requested MT. Fl ming to let him know in what particular the Southeast ern Tariff association thought that the
 
 city of Birmingham had violated the agreement which put the city on first class basis He also wanted to know what the insurance people would re- | uuire of the city. Secretary Fleming in reply said that he would inform the mayor just as soon as his association had acted
 "All we can do now Is to awiat news | of the action of the association" said | MT. Drennen. eff we hear before Wednesday night the aldermen will take the matter up at that time, which Is the regular meeting night of the city coun- cil."
 Fred M Jackson, president of the Com mercial club, thinks the plan suggested | by MT. Caheen good and says that he feels sure the Commercial club will be only too willing to cooperate with the committee from the Board of Trade and I the mayor and aldermen. 'I will put the matter before the Commercial club next Friday" said MT. Jackson, and l feel safe in saying that a committee will be appointed and it will be composed oi strong men, It h very necessary tha
  as the increase in rates is heavy bur den upon merchants and other propert, owners. There is no good reason whl Birmingham should not have the sam' advantage of reasonable insurance rate' as any other city of it's size"
 q have been plugging away at thii insurance matter for long time" sait John w. O'Neill, and I think something should be done and done immediately I am in hearty sympathy with the plar proposed oy MT. Caheen. and l believe such a conference would result in grea good to the city. The increases in rates in some instances. have been very high and in fact more than merchants cal well stand. The thing to do is to fint out the trouble and then remedy 1t. I looks as if that would be an easy mat committee of men with the interest of tn city at heart could not do it."
 Insurance Situation.
 The insurance situation at presen stands thus:
 The Southeastern Tariff association claims that the clty OI DlrHllnBHdln nd not lived Up to its agreement which pu the city on first-class basis. Thereupol the tariff association has receded iron the agreement and increased the rates.
 The city of Birmingham claims that Il has not violated the agreement in any particular.
 While the tariff association, through itf secretary, does not make it's point clear 1t Is inferred that the insurance people think Birmingham should have better fire protection, which means more-better apparatus, larger water mans with more pressure, building inspector and new building laws. This is not stated in the letters to Mayor Drennen. but is gathered from talks with merchants, insurance agents and others.
 Birmingham is at present on a second class basis. Atlanta is on a hrst-cass basis. A comparison of the fire fighting facilities would be interesting.
 Cost of Fire Department.
 The Birmingham fire departmene is maintained at cost of about s72000 a year.
 The Atlanta fire department is main. tained at cost of si25.2s5; at least that 1. to