The Cairo bulletin., 1905-04-10
ANTLcoMPAcT LEGISLATION.

In referring TO the provision includ.
ing insurance boards in the antitrust
bin now before the state senate the
Chicago Tribune has the following to
say in its issue of the End inst;
4It is enormously thought by some
excellent persons in Springfield thai
the Chicago board Of underwriters is
a trust, and that the so-called Me
'Kinley bill. which will do away with
It, IL consequently a good measure.
The chief mission Of boards CT under
writers. in the opinion OF the trust
busters is to fix and regulate rates
and, If possible, increase them.
This is a mistake Tho Chicago
board Of underwriters has more use
full duties to perform than to maintain
rates, ana it has been efficient in per.
forming them. 1t supplies to some ex.
cent deficiencies in munic pal alminis-
|tration, 1t attends to matters often
NEGLECTED by city officials II In.
spects new buildings and gives expert
advice to the owners as to construc-
ton and equipment whose acceptance
means lower rates. When defective
or imperfect construction in violation
Of the building ordinances is detected
the board of underwriters is heard
from at cnce. II penalties the owner
by requiring a larger premium and he
Is compelled to pay permanent tax
for his negligence or stinginess untn
the defect IS remedied
s'Phe board enforces regulations in
regard 10 the storage OF explosives
and combustibles which should be,
but are not. properly enforced by the
city authorities. II requires property
wners to make provision for putting
out fires, and furnishes gratis. plans
and specifications for the installation
of fire distinguishing apparatus Of an
improved type When the property
owner Is sensible and puts In the an.
planes the rates are reduced accord.
ingly
The complaint that the board or
underwriters is a trust or a public
enemy is not made by large propertp
owners in Chicago or by persons who
have given the least attention 10 the
subject. No honest property owner
wants fire on his premises. He Is
anxious TO prevent fires ana therein
his interest comedies with that of the
underwriters. No amount of insurance
VIII compensate property owner like
The Fr bune. for example. for a seri-
Jus lire on its premises Insurance is
taken out as business precaution.
but The property owner would much
rather pay the premium ten-fold than
70 receive from the company the face
OF the policy This viii not compen
safe for a serious interference with
business. Consequently when tho
board of underwriters suggests a
change of construction or additional
lac Iities for extinguishing fires the
property owner, If honest and wise is
grateful amt adopts them speedily.
The Chicago property owners are
not primarily Interested in getting
'hV She4pest possible insurance. There.
are other elements entering into tine
question that must be considered as
for example. stability OF rates and the
absolute responsibility Of the comma
MES. L is one thing to get low rate
and another thing to get the insurance.
money in1cases If loss without undue.
delay because of technicalities or Al
legged irregularities of title or descrin.
ton. The board or underwater, has
made fire insurance in Chicago re-
spectacle as compared with what :,
was generation ago or more. ana
rates have not been unduly increased
The large property owners do NOT saw
that they pay too much"
Local Insurance boards throughout
tho state occupy the same position TO
their respective towns as the Chicago
board does to that city. Operating IN.
der the control and jurisdiction of the
Illinois state board of fire under
writer's their iapetions are the same