Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1922-03-03
HAZARDS COMMITTEE
STUDIES FIRE SITUATION
>. X. Griffith, A. A. Rounds, u. +.
Staley and l.. X. Martini Report
on Preliminary Survey of
Fire Situation

Following is the complete text of
the preliminary report on the local
fire situation as presented to the
chamber of commerce by the commit
tee named to make the investigation.
The committe includes ]. r. Griffith,
A. A. Rounds, d. F. Staley and L.
K. Martini A brief of the report
was published two weeks ago and
the publication of the full text is upon
request of a number of citizens:
President Chamber of Commerce,
Pullman, Wash.
Dear Sir In compliance with your
instructions this committee has be-
gun it's Investigations into the fire
situation at Pullman. Realizing,
however, that the full investigation
will require considerable time yet
to come and feeling that a situation
is now arising which demands i'm
mediate attention, this tentative re-
port is submitted for your earnest
consideration. The Investigations
now under way will be continued and
reported in full at a later date.
Pullman has long enjoyed the
privilege of paying fire insurance
rates which are from 10 to 20 per
cent higher than many towns of like
size and wealth At this time when
tax reduction is the big cry no
single item should be overlooked
the community. We pay it for pro-
lection against loss of our individual
property. When we purchase the
smallest article, the price includes
tax to cover for that merchant the
cost of fire Insurance. Considering
our yearly expenditures, considera-
BILE tax is paid yearly in this way. So
why shouldn't its reduction be of in
terest to the citizens of Pullman?
Basic fire insurance rates, as con-
trolled by the National Board of Fire
Underwriters through their repre-
sentative, the state rating bureau,
depend upon two things:
ID Present fire protection.
% Past fire losses.
Except for a good source of water,
Pullman as whole has never en-
ioyed much protection, and is rapid
ly gaining the distinction of having
one of the states heaviest per capita
{ire losses. During the year 1921
pullman contributed over ~ per
cent of the states total loss by fire
while it housed less than one-third
of one per cent of the states popu-
lation. In other words, Pullman's
loss for 1921 was fully 800 per cent
in excess of what it should have been,
considering it's population and the
average loss throughout the state.
Possible reduction in fire insur-
ance rates has consequently seemed
impossible to those who understand
how such are governed,
Since the rating bureau, repre-
senting the various insurance com
panies, controls fire insurance rates
in a community, it certainly behooves
any community to at least seriously
consider any recommendations COM
ing from that source. After an in
spection of Pullman the rating bu-
reau forwarded to the proper au-
thorities in the latter part of 1920
a report of conditions and a series
of recommendations So far as can
he determined, with the exception or
some new hose purchased, none or
the recommendation were ever put
into effect. As the authorities at
that time were considering the pur-
chase of a motor fire truck, particu-
lar stress was laid on the fact that
equipment fully approved by the rat
ing bureau and two paid drivers were
necessary before a reduction OF rates
could be realized.
We have all had experiences and
training that fits us for certain work
and duties. Yet the carpenter does
not change jobs with the dentist, nor
the plumber with the undertaken
Intelligence at its foundation con
stitutes that faculty for realizing
ones own limitations, Success, pros
perity and efficiency all depend upon
It The modern business that does not
have its specialists to purchase raw
materials, machinery and help must
assuredly land on the rocks. So II
-. ~ no city authorities have