The evening world., 1910-12-05

there was n general demand for n de-
crease In rates within that district.
There were some decreases made, but
1t was not n blanket or general reduce
ton.
There are two systems OF rates-the
handbook rates and the specific or card
index rates. In the handbook certain
classes of risks. such az Fifth avenue
ana Riverside Drive residences. are COW
cred by "A general class rate.
How Rates are Figured.
II Is In the card index system that
most OF the rate Juggllng IL done. Here
all Increases are encctually hidden.
Even the Insurance companies are not
permitted To keep n record Of these
increases. Each Insurance company or
large agency Is supplied with a large
cabinet containing this card index sys-
TEN. In each instance, however, the
custodian OF the cabinet Is sworn TO
Keep the contents secret. All cabinets
are provided with n strong lock system.
One OF the rules of the Exchange is
mat brokers can subscribe for cabinets.
but the price Is made prohibitlve except
to the very large agencies.
Caros making changes In specific rates
are not intrusted to the malls. Whom
ever n new card Is issued trusted mes
sengors are sent from the Exchange TO
each cabinet holder. There are about
.W. This messenger puts In the new
card and returns the one with tho old
rate to the Exchange headquarters. IN
TINS way no record OF rate changes can
no KEN NTnnt hF sl.. t.N,. "a
policy holder. however. finds Il out
when the price OF his Insurance Ia ar.
bitrarily Increased. II he refuses TO
pay II n goes to another ompany
he VIII lind the price the Same 70 a
fraction OF a cent.
IN the Exchange these rates are made
by n large force of young clerks whose
only experience has been as acoount-
ants. They work under the supervision
OF Manager Robb and Alfred G., Patton,
who lives In Philadelphia and com,
mutes daily. Mr.. Patton has charge OF
making rates for special hazards In
New York City. Several surveyors or
inspectors are employed to furnish IN
formation to the "raters."
Competition 10 Cut Out.
The rate committee OF the Exchange
Is the only board OF appeal from tho
work of these ate makers. Sometimes
insurance companies ask for reductions
In rates and appeal TO this committee,
In many cases without result.
When a man who wants to insure his
property goes TO n company tho en-
ployee Of that company who has ne
cess tn the rate cabinet can ind in an
Instant just what the Exchange has
decrecd that particular property owner
must pny. II the prospective insurer
thinks the rate Is too high he win find
on application to any other company
doing business In the city that tho
same rate has been fixed for him BY all
In spite OF h secrecy with which
these cabinets are surrounded an Eve,
ming Wcrld reporter got a glimpse a
the contents u one at the office of on,
OF. the large broker In the l~nsuranc,
district to-day. \ few examples o
these ratings are rlvcn here:
Some Sample Rates.
Hotei knlckerbocter bullding) san
Notc-Not subject ~ increase OF . pc.
cent voted March iS.ia0s:
Cadillac Hotel dui'dlHg) .......... .92s
Noto-Not subject 20 80 'rease OF Is ne
cent, voted March Is, 1909:
Hotcl Astpr Observation-Disclosures. 81
cafe Madrid (building).............l.3 Is
Shanley's new restaurant ....... 500
Here IL an example OF rates for build
Ing ana various occupants at No. $50
Avenue \:
Building (brick) .................. a,
Dwellings In building .............. 10
olga store %
baE'c. tnop rs
Meat dealer 20
~S1loNeAouse In rear............. 10
Another card on the building and ten
ants a. NJ, lilG Avenue \ Is as follows;
II l'N nu4dlng '..'.',,".,,.,., ~
Dwellings in NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. 81
Grocery store 81
Dry goods NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. lO1
Grated Tor exposure Branch Office risk
on West one Hundred and Elovcnt
street sample ratings noted are as FOL
lows:
nos. ;O1 TO 81 ObulldingD.......... .iG5
contents ..,....,.. .2lI
No. Oli neutrality-suspicious., ,l6b
Contents ........u..,... .alt
No. So, bulldlnG) III
contents .'..,..".,...,.,,. .2i1
Rear sul dlnes Lower.
\ brick building Al No. OIL, used "a
manufacturlng purposes. Is rated at 81
and tie factory at 500. \ building o
tho rear OF the lot used for similar pur
pose Is rated at only $3.50 and the fac
tory AZ a.l5.
\ brick building "a No. 1868 Bathgat
avenue, the Bronx, Is rated as follows,
First loor 'ireprooJ...,.....,.. as
Dwellings In building. ..",......... g,
Ladies' tailor .,........... Los
Insurance experts declare that takin
rates as a whole there has been a grea
ilcrcife In rates since the formation O
the Fire Insurance Exchange. In 1871
with the Organization OF thls rate-mak
Ing body all the Insurance companie
which prior to that time had been com
yeting for business and giving the bes