Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-11-14
AGENTS PROTEST
FIRE Rates RAISE
Recent Action Unfair and Discrim-
iHatOTy, Board of Under
writer's Claims
ASK REoPENTNG OF QUESTION
Hold Rock Island Better Equipped
Than Moline and Closing
Stations Temporary.

twenty-five FIRE insurance agen-
cies. all Of those doing buiness in
the city. have formulated a protest
against the increase IN insurance
rates which went into effect in
Rock Island Nov. u. They declare
the advance, which amounts TO
about 10 per cent, not justified by
conditions: that here has been
little. If any, deterioration in the
FIRE fighting equipment and person
mel, such changes as have been
made are only temporary and urge
that the matter be more fully in
yestiEaced.
Following is an excerpt from the
resolutions which have been mailed
to the Illinois inspection bureau
and IN the various companies do
Ing business in this city:
Whereas, the Illinois inspection
bureau did, on the 18th day of No
Feubcr 1918. promulgate a ruling
removing the city OF Rock Island
from class 81 10 class 4 in fire
protection causing an increase of
fire insurance rates in said city of
practically 10 per ceu-- and,
Whereas, the Rock Island local
board of fire insurance agents be
I5eves that said ruling is unfair
80 The community and without jus
fiGCaugD for the following re2-
sons. ro-wit.
"Flrsr. The fire protection Of
this city has been very materially
improved during the past few
years hv increasing the pumping
capacity. by the erection Of a large
gravity tank and by the extension
of water mains and charging of
The same.
Loss Partly Made Up.
Second Although the shortage
of city revenues has necessitated
the closing of two fire stations in
line outlying districts. there has
been a reduction Of but eight in
the number of paid fremen, from
81 TO -. and this shortage has
been in part made up by the en-
ployueut by the U. S. Housing cor
porati0n Of six paid firemen under
our former fire chief, George ".
NewberTy, who are using mostly
our city equipment, and in practi-
cal effect have more than replaced
one of the closed fire stations in
the ue5ELb0rh0Od of where said sta
Linp is located This government
addition to the fire fighting forces
ST our city may be but temporary,
bUr, so. undoubtedly viii the re-
tuCt.ou Of our number Of paid fire
uen he temporary.
Third. The present shortage Of
lTeusn is more than made up by
HE recent uotOriZatiOu OF the re
EIliui-g stations and rs per cent
OF our territory and 95 per cent OF
our values have as good or better
IRE protection than ever before il
Lhe history Of our city.
Fourth The city Of Rock Is
land now has as many fire stations
and as many paid firemen, with,
out taking into account the gov
eminent station, as had the city
Of Moline previous 10 the reduc-
ton in its fire department. and
therefore the placing Of Jhe city OF
Rock Island in the same class as
the city OF Moline now IS is unfair
unjust and gross Discrimination. 3"
The protest was drawn up at a
meeting late yesterday afternoon
held in the Safety building. II
was the first time in two years that
the Rock Island local board of fire
underwriters has been in session
". H. SCLilIinger was elected pres
ldent and w. G. Maucker secretary.