South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-04-19
ONE REASON WHY INSURANCE
RATES WENT UP.
Editor News-Times:

some things I think people ought u
know?
Yesterday I drove downtown and
noticed on y. Michigan ST., within
half block Of the city hall. a fence
running out across the sidewalk.
Evidently for building operations, IL
my hurry I didn't have time To no
tice whether the fence Itself was &C
cording TO law. but it had a big sign
on IT that 1 know wasn't. And it
read:
Carson for Mayor"
I suppose that was one Of the in
nocent and harmless violations that
he doesn't believe in prosecuting
people for. on which there might
be differences Of opinion.
But what got me started was
full-page advertisement published
yesterday. 1t began with the inquiry:
should the city turn a deaf ear 10
demands for water service and pro-
tection?"
OF course not. But they can turn
deaf ears 10 a building commission
er, and blind eyes 10 law, which,
properly carried into force, would
have made much of that additional
equipment unnecessary.
Last year the National Board OF
Fire Underwriters published a re-
port of conditions in this city That
report was made by Capt. Roberts,
head Of the crew which had made
an inspection here.
The inSr ectiOn showed up a lot OF
construction far below code stand
ards Some of it dangerously so.
Capt. Roberts came 10 me about II
and very pointedly wanted to know
why such things had been allowed.
I asked him to give specific in
stances, which he did I thereupOn
turned TO my files and showed him
in each case a written order from
my superiors forcing me, sometimes
under protest, TO allow the things he
took exception to. He certainly gave
me and my office a thorough inves-
tigation. Then he said: This clears
you. You have proved your case. But
these facts have got TO go into my
report. and I suppose you know that
will seriously jeopardize your posi-
ton. Shall I do that?" 1 told him
that from the start I had tried my
best TO honestly enforce the law, AMI
was so discouraged that 1 was only
hanging on TO keep things from get
ting worse even yet. That he might
publish what he saw fit, just 50 Il
got results.
It got them. all right. 1t came out
just before presidential election,
and they managed TO suppress all
but what you published until after
election. Then I was told was no
longer wanted.
But a certain garage was held up
at least temporarily, and the Jones
tabernacle came down. 1t accom-
plished that much anyway.
Now get this. Just before he left,
Capt. Roberts brought his typed re-
port TO me. very considerably Of
fering it to me TO eliminate any I'M
true or overdrawn statements. I let
it go just as it was. Then he said:
This will probably mean your dis
missal. But il will mean more than
that The insurance rates for South
Bend have been based on its build
ing code. and the non enforcement
of that code in all probability means
your reduction TO third class and a
corresponding increase in your in
surance rates in this city"
or, TO state it in another way. For
whatever reasons certain parties
have been permitted to construct be-
low certain standards established
by law. TO save themselves a little
money, and in consequence, all of us
have got to spend a whole lot Of
money to get and maintain efficient
fire fighting equipment TO protect
ourselves from the risks thus made
And no need for all this.
At the time of my dismissal, the
press had much TO say about sensa-
tional disclosures / had to make.
Because I didn't make them, l was
accused of not having any to mako.
Then some sensational things were
published about me. Well. I have
been released by the city controller
and state board of accounts, and
that's all the answer I'll ever make
10 that part OF il.
If Mr.. Perkins had been mayor. ]
don't think there would have been
any threat to place South Bend in
third class. for the simple reason
that he understood construction and
fire hazards.
The idea Of enacting a building
law. excellent in itself. of hiring a
presumably competent engineer to
enforce it. and then place him under
the authority Of a set Of men. whom.
TO say the best Of it. are emphatiCally
not engineers, is an absurdity
Better look it up and see how
much Of the separation fund
has been handed over 10 the water
works before we talk about proceed
Ing with separation. Better look
around and see how much this city
has been bonded for during the last
year or so before we talk abou.
present city efficiency. The bonds
have been issued; what has been Oh
tanned with the money! How do
you like the present rates Of taxes,
anyway
This city certainly needs a city
manager who will be guided by con-
sideratiOns-wen, Wen say based on
different standards than those OBJ
tanning at present a good mayor
with good appointees is good
thing. but a good system with ever
present power TO correct abuses -
better yet.
Very sincerely.
W. y. TEEPLE.
RIVER phRK