New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1905-09-16
LOCALIZED ROBBERY.


heard from our business men regard
ing the high rates of insurance placed
on buildings and stocks by the New
Orleans Fire Prevention Bureau
which have been advanced over one
hundred per cent. in many instances
and in some two hundred per cent.
Just why this unprecedented advance
should be made is beyond the ken of
ordinary mortals. Under the old
rates, which have prevailed for years
all the companies, seemed to be satist
fed and competed keenly for the bust
ness. Our present fire department is
more extensive and better organized
now than then, while our water sup
ply IL perfect and under immediate
control. We are in better shape to
prevent couflagrations and to control
fires than ever before in the history
Of the town, yet in the face OF this,
rates are advanced enormously, until
merchants cannot afford to take out
ordinary protection, but must needs go
to foreign companies for that protec-
tion, which is denied them at home.
That combination has been made to
extort high rates from our property
holders is SO plain, that he who runs
may read it, and it is time that the
citizens were holding meetings to pub
licly protest at this evident holdup.
In connection with this we append a
clipping from the Picayune, wherein
1t il shown that the City of Shreve-
port was burdened with excessive rates
and how the business men obtained
reduction. We commend this matter
to those of our people who are carry
ing these burdens and suggest that
they at once take such action as will
compel the huge corporations to whom
they pay tribute to treat them in
fairness and justice. To this end our
representatives in the Legislature
should be called upon to rigidly
scrutinize the insurance methods now
being practiced and which smacks SO
much of combines and trusts and bring
to the notice OF the authorities all
violations, or excuses and unhesi-
tatingly prosecute to the end that
their constituents may receive that
protection which is their due.
The great Life Insurance Trusts OF
the country are being examined by
the officers OF the law, with the most
astounding developments. The gi-
gantic trusts of fire insurance should
also be placed under calcium light of
redounding In great bene-
fits to q long suffering people.
Below is the clipping mentioned
above:
Shreveport, La, Sept S.-Shreve-
port was to-day placed on first-class
FIRE insurance basis, the reduction in
rates on brick buildings being 40 cents
and on stocks % cents. Before the
lowering Of risks the rates on brick
were Sl.55. j,
No reduction will be made as to
The insurance of frame buildings un-
til representative of the Fire Pre-
vention Bureau is sent here from
New Orleans to inspect.
Resulting from fire losses, three or
FOUR years ago, Shreveport merchants ,
have been burdened With excessive ,
rates. Protests having been entered, [
Mayor Queries went before the Bu- 1
'eau ut New Orleans and asked for a {
promising to comply with {
my recommendation made by an in {
pector. II
Following this visit representatives |
Il the Bureau came here and told the |
Mayor what improvements were nee. {
ssary, they being the addition of fire {
apparatus and the construction of Y
mother station. The building is just !
and all agents have been Q
nformed Of the lowering of risks. I
The reduction means the saving of n
great deal Of money by Shreveport n
and the news was receiv- 4
d with Rejoicing" ~ssss-s ~ .asa |