The San Francisco call., 1910-01-15

EFFORT TO REDUCE
INSURANCE RATES
Arguments to Be Presented 10
the Fire Underwriters by
Real Estate Board

The San Francisco real estate board
is about to present to the fire under
writer's board the reasons why. in tneir
opinion. the fire insurance rates In san
Francisco should be lowered In TINS
they will have the support OF the other
commercial organizations in this city,
The way has been paved by an appli-
cation that was made, some time ago.
to the Insurance Brokers exchange, IA
which many convincing facts were set
forth. BY the Brokers' exchange a
communication was sent to the Board
of Fire Underwriters of the Pacinc
with certain favorable suggestions
Since then no action has been taken
In view of the great Importance to-
the public that every measure shall be
adopted that will assist in the rebuild
ing of San Francisco and will conduee
to business prosperity in this city, the
real estate board has been considering
what steps are the best to pursue. a
meeting was held by the members OF
the real estate board last week and
a tentative program was outlined.
Samuel G.. Buckbee. president OF tho
real estate JONI l. am
George ID. Toy, are a committee or
three of the real estate board TO take
the matter up. They are firmly con-
vinced that tNe time is opportune to
ask for reductions and that the matter
is OF great Importance. The first step
will be to have meeting with the f1re
underwriters. Preliminary to this a
large amount or information has been
collected and compiled, relating 10 the
betterment of conditions in building
construction. in the providing of ad-
ditiOnal means to prevent the spread
of fires. the water available in fre els
terms for immediate use. the cOnstrue-
tion OF the hreboats and the contracts
for pumping stations and the great res
ervoirs al Twin peaks, and the like.
This will be available for use at the
coming hearing and ii constitutes q.
strong showing for all the real estate
men of San Francisco who are seeking
relief.
The hope is strongly entertained by
the real estate board and by the allied
owners of real estate in San Francisco.
representing many millions of dollars
Of invested capital, that the outcome
will be favorable. President Buckbee
of the real estate board says that there
are many reasons why fire insurance
rates should be reduced. Among them
are the following:
/. The physical conditions, generally.
in San Francisco are better than they
were prior TO April. 1906, when the in
surance rates were much lower.
2. Fireboats have been constructed
and are in commission.
3. More fire apparatus than was in
use in 1906 is now provided for the
fire department
4. More eisterns are filled with water
that is immediately available for put
ting out fires.
). The streets are in ketter shane
than they ever were before.
s. A modern fire alarm system has
been constructed and is in good work
ing order.
sIn our opinion" so said Buckbea
in an interview, "the fire insurance
rates in San Francisco ought TO be
lower than they were in 1906. for the
reasons mentioned and also for other
reasons, among them being the much
improved class Of construction sincs
1906 and the large open spaces that act
as gaps TO prevent the spread of fires.
The auxiliary fire system that il to be-
installed should be considered in tho
making OF rates.
Rents have been reduced and in
comes have been depleted, vet the fire.
insurance companies ask rates which
are, we think, unfair. Such rates are a
drawback to the progress of the city
and they are not beneficial to the in
surance brokers or to the companies in
the long run. for property owners carry
less insurance than they would under,
normal conditions"
AS soon as a date is fixed for thu
hearing the real estate board will bs
ready to proceed and submit it's facts.