Evening journal., 1921-07-09
BEGIN fight
AGAINST FIRE
RATE BOOST
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continued from nrst paSe'
pally interested. This meeting will
be held at 8 O'Clock, Wilmington
time, on Monday night in the rooms
Of the Chamber, dupont Building.
Invitations to the meeting already
have been sent out by the Chamber
of Commerce and a large and repre-
sentative Session is looked for.
Speaking today of the situation, Mr..
Warner said:
The equalization Of fire insurance
rates now going on in Wilmington is
matter which came to my atten-
ton only recently. 1 am not ques-
tioning at this time the justifications
for the revision now being made, but
feel that it is most untimely, in
view of the pending installation Of
the new paid fire department.
Il regret that the revision was not
made effective two or three years
ago, when, 1 am informed, 1t was
first proposed; but 1 appreciate the
fact that the rating bureau was in
adequately organized for such pu -
pose during the war period, as In
fact were many other organizations,
and repeatedly deferred inspection
until the strike of September, 1920,
actually forced a beginning.
Il now understand that the in
spection commenced early in Sep
tember, 1920, that it has proceeded
steadily up to the present time with
anywhere from two to five inspec-
tors continuously at work, that all
the fire insurance brokers Of our
city have had knowledge of this for
eight OF nine months, but that II
only recently came to the attention
of the public authorities and those
citizens who have interested them
selves in conservation and fire pre-
vention work.
Il have been further informed
that the new rates will vary accord
ing 10 the individual property, and
generally speaking there will be no
change in the rates on residential
properties unless some new ex-
posure has developed in recent
/ ItdN6 W mere AaAf1 al . NlAaAAt7 GU
they win probably show an increase
anywhere from cents to 25 cents
per 500, and a substantial part OF
this can be saved the assured II he
will insist on his broker securing
for him a copy Of the rate make.
uD.'
An examination Of this report viii
show the assured lust what his def
cheney points are and how defects
can be cured. For example, in
such cases where rubber hose ga.
connections exist the penalty is II
cents per 500. This 10 cents pen
atty on a $4,000 line means $40 pei
year, which amount can be saved
IL the assured will expend a few
dollars only.
"Other conditions usually pen
] allied are improper care OF rubbish
electrical equipment, open stairway
J and other structural defects, i'm
proper handling Of gasoline and othe
, hazardous materials
Although il is said the underwrit
ers intend reducing premiums ol
5 policies TO the present level as sool
as a paid fire department is estab
lished, considerable doubt was ex
pressed in business circles today a
, to whether once the new and highe
, rates are put into effect, they wouli
ever come down.
No little Indignation is expressed
at the proposed raise, particularly il
. view Of the fact that the new fir
department will begin service withii
almost a month and a half. Repre-
sentatives Of the national board ar
said to have found certain condition
in the cellars of some stores i'm tn
heart Of the business section t
which they seriously object as in
creasing fire hazards. Merchants
the vicinity Of these stores, however
: object to being penalized for sue
hazards for which they are not re
sponsible. Monday nights meetinl
s therefore, is likely to witness shar
o protest against any increase what
. ever in fire risks.