The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-19
BENNETT PREDICTS
 HIGHER INSURANCE
Regrets Increase But Finds
 No Fault
REPORTS FOR APRIL
The Fire Department Answered 157 Alarms During Month - Chief Bases Insurance Discussion
 on Shingle Roof Danger

That the present proposed increase In insurance rates on residences of Birming- ham is but a forerunner of more and worse increases in rates Is the keynote of an interview given out yesterday after noon by Fire Chief A. Y. Bennett. The chief bases his assertion upon the shingle roof proposition, on which he Is working daily. He states that during the six winter months of the past year, be- ginning October. 1911, there have been 56S fires wherein sparks falling on shingle roofs have caused the blaze In his re- port for the month of April there are 4s fires of this character alone.
 The chief expresses his regret at the raise in rates, but does not express any surprise nor does he blame the Under writers association for their action. On the other hand he says that if he was a member of the board he would have done the same thing they have done.
 Bennett Talks
 Chief Bennett said:
 "While' 1 regret exceedingly to learn that the Southeastern Underwriters as- SOtldlioi dio PiOpoSiii6 Ao AaAoC NhAN A6ss on any property in Birmingham espeei- ally after we have gone to the enormous expense of equipping our department witf motor fire apparatus, in order that wt may reach the scene of every fire in less time than before, yet If I was a member of the board of directors I am very mucl inclined to think that I would have acteC as they have.
 When we consider that during thu six winter months. beginning with octo Der, 1911, this city had 56s fires in resi- dences, due to sparks on shingle roof alone. we can appreciate the enormous hazard involved and the huge risk th' companies are called on 10 carry.
 Unjust Feature
 "One feature of the raise, however, | seems to me Is an unjust discrimination in that the rate of the tenant in the samt class of building is higher than that ol the owner-occupant. The tenant has nc choice in the character of the roof or the construction of the fiue In the building IT which he is forced to live and to compel him to pay an extra premium, it appears to me, Is a hardship that he Is not entitled to bear.
 q am very much afraid that unless we make some radical changes In the con- struction of our residences the present raise in rates is merely forerunner oi other and more marked increases that may result in prohibitive rates. which would prevent a great many people from providing that protection who need i most"
 April Report 1 The following is the report of Fire Chic A. V. Bennett for the month ending Apri aO
 Hon. Culpepper EXum, President Boarf
 of Commissioners, city;
 Dear sir-Please find herewith my re port for the month ending April 30. 1912. "The department responded to 157 alarms and fires, ran 22l4 blocks, laid out 2s.75l feet of hose. used col gallons of chemicals and raised 1e70 feet of ladders.
 "The Bristol recording water pressure gauge indicates an average daily pressure of 94 1-3 pounds, and an average daily variation of pounds per square inch.
 ALARMS, HOW RECEIVED.
 A. D. T. l, box 3. still 9. telephone IA total 157.
 KIND OF BUILDINGS.
 Brick 19. corrugated iron l, frame 122 other than buildings G--total 15T False and unnecessary 9.
 HOW EXTINGUISHED.
 Before arrival 9, chemicals 77, water G. total l57 False and unnecessary Q.
 CAUSE OF ALARMS.
 Back firing in Automobile 1, carelessness 16. communicated 42, crossed wire l, defec. tive hues g. defective grate 2, defective wire l. false 5, gasoline stove l. grounded wire 1, incendiary 3, lightning l, meal burning 1, overloaded motor l, overheated range 1, overloaded stoves ?. overheated tar 1, rekinded 2, roof falling on oven | short circuit 2 soot burning in chimneys 3, soot burning in flues ?, sparks 42, un- known 13, unnecessary 4-total 157.
 Values at Risk
 Value of buildings at risk, s432, ,966. B value of contents at risk. S1745s2 10; tota value at risk $607. .549. .0S. Insurance involved on buildings, $302. .175 insurance involved on contents, $s6,000 total insurance involved. s3SS,175
 Insurance loss on buildings, $22, 172 15 insurance loss on contents, s535S 20; tota insurance loss. S27,530.35.
 Uninsured loss on buildings, $5755.33: un insured loss on contents, $i503; total un insured loss. s10.258 .33
 Total, loss insured and uninsured s37, 7SS. .6S.
 Respectfully submitted,
 "A. V. BENNETT,
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