Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-08-10

This makes total penalty for city
deficiencies OF Is cents upon the $4,000
lof insurable value. which VIII be re-.
moved, in whole or in part. just as
soon as the City can show that the
existing evils have been corrected. The
| insurance companies, 1t was stated,
| will welcome such corrections.
| 1t was further stated that while
some mercantile rates have been re-
duced the larger proportion have been
increased.
The rate of insurance is deter
mined under the schedule by first
esta blishing a base rate, which
is an arbitory rate based upon
years of experience of the rate
making bureau for a similar class of
hazards. TO which are added penalties
for deficiencies below the standard in
the construction Of buildings. electric
wiring. use OF swinging gas jets. bad
housekeeping" external hazards. etc.
etc, while credits are allowed for inn
proving the fire resistive features of
property. To this figure are added. in
the mercantile and business sections,
the penalties for City deficiencies. as
enumerated above.
1t was pointed out that. with the in
dividual as with the City. these penal
ties will be removed when.it is shown
that the deficiencies have been RENE
died.
The base rate on mercantile build
ings in this City, and others in it's class
within this district. under the schedule
now in force. is 20 cents on each 800
OF insurance carried, to which amount
penalties for deficiencies are added and
from that sum credits are deducted.
| During the conference it was de-
veioped that no advances have been
made upon dwellings, churches and
schools nor their contents except when
| they have been found to be exposed to
either a mercantile or a special
hazard; that the base rate on such
properties is IL cents on each $10000
of insurance and that the City def
cheney penalty of Is cents does not ap-
ply to such properties.
Your committee desires to emphasize
the fact that. in its opinion. after a
very careful study OF the schedule. the
average assured can very materially
reduce his rate of insurance by cor
recting some. If not all, of the defects
| for which he is penalized and to that
end we would recommend that he se-
cure at once, from his agent. or direct
ly through the Underwriters Associa-
ton, Middle Department. 3l6 Walnut
street. Philadelphia, the detail of rates
covering his property in order that he
may know for what deficiencies he has
been penalized and thus be enabled to
correct them and avoid the penalties
We would further suggest that this
committee be authorized and instructed
to confer with the proper city auth
critics to see II some. at least of the
city's deficiencies cannot be remedied
and thereby secure for the assured a
further reduction in rates. The In
stallation OF the new, paid fire depart
ment will, as soon as same is approved.
remove some OF the penalties.
There are certain deficiencies per-
/ tanning to building construction, such
as thickness OF walls. which can only
be corrected by a considerable expen-
diture OF money.
/ Other deficiencies, such an defective
electrical Installations, improper use
and storage OF innammablc fluids and
materials. inadequate inspection of
! buildings, etc. which are now penal
lied can be remedied by moderate
expenditure.
BY the revising of existing and the
enacting of new ordinances, which
harmonize moro nearly with accepted
good practice, future building con-
struction may be 20 regulated as nu-
toma t1cally to insure lower insuran
rates Al we'll AZ tho general imprcv-
| ing of the nre hazards of the City as
a whole.
Respectfully submitted,
| Charles II. Ten WoeEes,
Chairman