New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-30
WOULD INSURANCE COME DOWN?
Complying with Numerous Fire Regulations
Does Not Always Reduce Rates

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir. Your editorial OF December 20. IN
dividuals Responsible for Fire" is wei
timed. Indorsing your good advice, may
ask the fir. insurance companies, il they Sc
cure further support of the public in redue-
ing fire losses, would they recognize TINS
saving in their rates to the public! Inc
Vew York Fire Department, at greatly IN
creased cost to the taxpayer, shows con
siderable pro rata reduction IN nre losses
during the last few years, without the COM
NAMES allowing a like reduction in fire IN
surance rates Roughly, in the metropolitan
district. I understand that the 1918 hgures
show premiums collected s30,oOO'OOO and
Iosses about ss.O00,000. II the insurance
comnanies did not squeeze all the dividends
out of increased fire prevention, believe we
would have greater care and saving. Inc
companies can easily cloud the issue with
nIausible excuses to the general public, VINO
only know that they are paying about me
same premium during the last hve year,
despite a greatly increased tax for the I'M
nroved Fire Department (Which shows re-
cult. annarentlv not recognized by insurance
companies).
The same condition prevails in fire proven
tim improvements. For instance, the owner
is advised OF certain allowance for sprlnk-
Ter equipment After installation usually
DELAY occurs before any allowance is made
nerhaps then part only is allowed, Tor inc
reason of some other just discovered shght
deficiency outlined on the maps of keep Up
Fire Rates" What can the public DO about
IT." 1--WE are the biggest trust in the World
Keep together boys" etc. agree that TINS
= tho nublic's fault. | am not preaching a
moral lesson. but endesvoring to give few
facts II is to laugh when the fire insurance
companies quote such phrases as "IhdlVluual
carelessness is the greatest fire hazard.
eunnose there was not such hazard; would
the dear public benefit proportionately
Owner vs. tenants: In many cases the owner
is held responsible for tenants carelessness
For instance. as representing an owner |
have frequently requested tenants Of factory
buildings to: %, Prohibit smoking; CD
avoid storing goods close to sprinkler heao''
(s). do not lock exit DOORS (4), keep pas
sageways TO all exits clear.
One will frequently find some OF these
rules broken through carelessness by tenants
or employees, who will adjust matters while
the owners representative or fire inspectors
are present. but in a short time get back TO
the wrong condition. do not believe TINS
occurs wilfully, but is the result OF careless
ness. The best cure for this condition would
he to arrest the responsible parties after
which. 7 believe. the rules would be adhered
10. Talking OF fire prevention, excellent care
is being taken Of factories in the metropol
tan district. but | should like to ask who is
responsible for the proportionate protection
Of lives in private houses. tenements, etc
most. of which prove finder boxes IN the
event Of FIRE and are entirely consumed, with
fatal results, in a very few minutes? The
authorities should not allow the construction
OF these fire traps. little more attention
to residence property for change! There
are sufficient laws to amply protect factories
in New York for the next decade.
Brooklyn. Dec. 81, 1916. Is. T.. NJ.