Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-11-11
FIRE RATES DOWN,
BUT NOT SUBMITS
ramsay Law Decreased lnsur-
ance, Expert Says, Leaving
Some Things Unexplained.

peeial TO the Evening Star.
SUMMIT, Nov. 11.-Members Of the
3oard of Trade last night learned
rom Affect Brown, of Newark, State
ate schedule expert, that the average
ost of fire insurance throughout the
tate has been lower during the past
ear. This is due to the Ramsay in
trance law.
In 1912, according to the state ex-
srt, the average rate was 1907 for
1000. while in 1918 the rate was .l0O6.
The audience didn't learn, however,
by the fire insurance cost has been
eadily increasing here. unless it il
5eeause of the fact admitted by the
tate expert that the city's fire pro-
action equipment has not yet been
Inspected by the State insurance
authorities.
When Mr.. Brown finished the
resentation of his brief UNFOLDING
he Ramsay law there were many in
he audience ready to PROFOUND ques-
sons. John ]. Lane got the floor
irst, and he wanted to know how it
happened that he is paying a rate Of
LOO for fire insurance on a dwelling
ocated directly opposite a firehouse
nd within 500 feet of fire hydrant
Fhile prior to the enactment of the
ramsay law he paid a rate of 81,
Mr.. Lane also asked the State eX-
iert how it is that this city's fire in
iuranee generally costs more since the
ramsay law became effective, despite
he fact that in the past ten years
no city has expended $4,000 in new
md modern sic apparatus and equip
nent, 100000 in property and s5s,000
n appropriations for fire department
lufpoGes.
Mr.. Brown declined to answer the
uestions for the reason, he said, that
70 had no stenographer with him and
ie was unwilling to take the chance
# having his answers to queries in
correctly reported or misunderstood
r misinterpreted. He did, however,
,ay that the point brought out by
.Ir Lane relative to the fire depart
nent was a good one, and then stated
hat no examination had as yet been
made of the city's flre-hghting equip
lent.
Mr.. Lane came back with the ques-
ion of whether Mr.. Brown or his de-
artment didn't believe this city is
arge enough to merit the attention
{ the insurance officials relative to
n examination of the fire apparatus
nd equipment here, but the State eX-
ert wouldn't continue the discussion.
n answer to Mr.. Lanes question as
D who brought Mr.. Brown to this
tate from Pennsylvania to take
barge of the insurance schedule max
lg-the people of this State or the
assurance companies-Mr. Brown de-
Jared he came here at the call of
he people through their representa-
ives who made the Ramsay insur-
nee law. A man was wanted to take
he job of expert rate schedule maker
nd he, Mr.. Brown, took the position.
Mr.. Lane also pointed out that even
he insurance cost on two fireproOf
chool buildings here has increased
nder the schedules of rates as fixed
y Mr.. Brown under the new insur-
nee law, despite the fact that the
xpert read letters from the State
'oard of Education commencing him
Or the new rate system, which, the
tate board wrote, had decreased the
re insurance cost on the schools in
he State. The Ramsay law was also
by the State School Board |
Mr.. Brown declined also to discuss
his condition here, but announced i
hat he would willingly answer fully |
ny QutGNiOll MIlNii may DS
d to him at his Office in Newark by
ne Board of Trade, its members in
ividually or from any interested cit
zen. The secretary of the board,
frederick w. Cliff, was directed to
ol1ect such questions and forward
tenn to the State rate schedule ex-
ert, who advised Mr.. Lane that
right open your eyes"
Mr.. Brown in his reference TO
contained in local news
aper of the Ramsay law, and in
fhich newspaper he had been re-
sired to as the car in insurance
latters," declared that ne does not
aake the rates, but merely the
chedule basis. He maintained that
he construction of a building, It's
ocation and exposure to fire risks,
lass of occupancy and many other
eatures are the factors which go to
ate-making in fire insurance.
The Ramsay law Mr. Brown de-
cribed as THE logical aftermath OF
he passage OF the Seven Sisters
tatufes." Anti-discrimination and
he right of the assured to have
tate inquiry into insurance rates
harged are the two primary bene-
cial features of the new insurance
Nv, Mr. Brown insisted. Under the
ew law, the insurance expert said,
he assured in this State are better
rejected because the law provides
OF q just and reasonable margin Of
rofit for the insurance companies
rhich protect a value of S8,500,000 of
and therefore the insur-
nee companies, Mr.. Brown argued,
nust be operated on q sound flnan-