The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1907-02-16
A nisanneiuting Reduction.

The Chief gave up considerable
portion of it's space last week to the
publication in full of the report made
by Secretary Sol. D. Bloodworth and
Inspector Morris D. Pierce OF the
Louisiana Fire Prevention Bureau,
relative to the conditions prevailing
in DonaIdsonyille as viewed from the
stand point of insurance against ire
losses, together with the re-elassifiea-
ton of the town as result OF the
investigation and tests upon which
the report is founded. 1t will be
noted that the former classification,
ssThird, with deficiency has been
changed to tSecond, with deficient
fire department, which indicates con-
siderable improvement, but the new
schedule of rates announced contains
so many apparent inconsistencies and
Inequalities that it cannot be regarded
otherwise than disappointing to a
large proportion of the property hold
ers of the town.
There is general reduction OF
rates, of course, and in numerous
instances the diminution is all that
could be reasonably expected or de-
sired, for which relief we should no
doubt be duly grateful. The residence
districts have been treated with ap-
proximate justice and liberality, but
the reductions in the business districts
have been comparatively small and
niggardly, and not few OF the rates
remain at exorbitant and prohibitiVe
figures. Even allowing for relatively
dissimilar conditions which do not
appear to the casual observer, it
seems apparent that the new schedule
is replete with crudities and Cypress
i've charges that are not in keeping
with the representations OF the report
as to the improved facilities enjoyed
by the town for preventing destructive
fires and it's exemption from such oc-
currences for many years.
Admission is made in Secretary
Bloodworth' report that the fire de-
partment is considered equal to the
needs of the town; that the waterWorks
are sufficient, effective and in good
order, and that no confagration hazard
exists. Numerous improvements have
been made recently with a view Of
affording better protection TO the com.
munity and securing q promised re-
duction of insurance rates. A brick
fire wall was constructed to separate
the boiler room from the pumping
station in the powerhouse building;
the municipal WaterWorks system was
extended and improved in aceordan
with plans furnished by the Fire Pre-
vention Bureau; all of the fire com
panies were equipped with new hose
and the two hose companies pro.
vided with modern hose wagons, while
the Hook and Ladder Company
equipped itself with a practically new
truck; the two principal streets of the
town are being paved, which will
afford the firemen ready access to any
part of the town in all kinds OF
weather; an electric FIRE alarm system
is about to be installed, and yet the
town is rated t'third, with deficient
fire department, = and several addi-
tional Improvements are declared to
be necessary before we can lay claim
to a full measure OF the concessions
which We thought had already been
earned.
Naturally there is much Indignation
over what is regarded as the arbitrary
action of the Fire Prevention Bureau,
and it will not be easy under the cir
cumstances to relieve the people OF
Dona1dsonville from the impression
that they have not been accorded fair
treatment in this matter.