The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-07-25

matter and begs leave to report as fol- lows.
 During the past year and longer the Board Of Trade has made every effort to bring about improved conditions in Birmingham. It has urged It's members and business men generally by per sonal letter and through the public press to keep their places of business in such condition as would reduce the fire hazard to a minimum. It has co-oper- ated with the city authorities to the fullest extent and was active in bring ing about the adoption of the ordinance providing that no more shingle roofs should be laid in Birmingham after October, 1913 It has been in sympathy with the city. authorities in the en- forcement of the trash ordinance in the downtown district and has done all in it's power to secure satisfactory condi- tions. The attitude of this body toward the fire underwriters consistently has been that of helpful cooperation. with the end in view that fires in Birming- ham mi ght be reduced to the minimum and fhe best possible conditions pre- vail.
 For the reasons above set forth. your committee feels that the recent notice of an increase of 15 per cent in premiums given by the Southeastern Underwriters association is unjust and unfair in that it is announced without notice to the insured. who have stead lily endeavored to bring about the i'm proved conditions. No opportunity was given of a conference with the un- derwriters for the purpose of acquaint- ing the insured with the further de- sires of the insurance companies. Hav- ing at all times shown a willingness to secure conditions of satisfactory standard we believe that the member n .tr+ f., the utmost any attempt to fasten an in crease of rates on the business men and property owners of this city.
 "It was clearly understood year ago by the committee of the Board or
 Trade that if a strong effort was made
 to meet the expressed desires of the underwriters there would be no in- crease of rates on the business men and property owners of this city.
 Ut was clearly understood a year ago by the committee of the Board
 of Trade that if strong effort was
 made to meet the expressed desires Of tho underwriters there would be no in- | crease of rates as was threatend at that time. This understanding has been vio- lated by the insurance companies who
 have already enforced advanced rates in many specific cases in the downtown district and now have without notice
 made another and further general in- crease of IS per cent on property with in the city limits. All this has been done with no satisfactory explanation of the cause therefor, either to the city, to the Board of Trade, or it's members who have so endeavored to meet every known requirement. of the Southeastern 1 Underwriters association.
 | "We realize the fact that Birming- ham has had several fires of conse- | quence in recent months, but these have occurred practically within the
 downtown fire limits. They might have l taken place in this or any other city
 under the best possible conditions. We
 believe they were handled by the fire department in an efficient manner.i,r l. 1 "The method of announcing increased rates indicates plainly unity of action on the part of the majority of under | writers. and we recommend that our attorney be instructed to look into this phase of this vital question. It has been suggested to this committee that the LSoutheastern Underwriters association lin it's methods of operation is amenable
 to the statute dealing with or8aniza tions existing in restraint of trade On l this point your committee as yet has nc recommendation to make.
 'syve suggest that conference with l the executive committee of the South eastern Underwriters ass6ciation be I SFCuftA dt Clltc II pOsSipiSf s'ft'' not be done we should avail ourselves
 of other means of preventing this un' | just increase of fire insurance rates Respectfully submitted.
 "A W. B. JOHNSON. l Chairman. "GEORGE MCT FIERY, l ''P H. LTNNEII AN.
 l "JOHN w. O'NEILL,
 LEO LOEB,
 Insurance Committed.