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THE SUNDAY OKEGONIAN, PORTLAND, HAY 15, 1994.
RATES GO DOWN
fireboat Reduces In-
s
su ranee Charges.
filVER FRONT WILL PROFIT
Board of Underwriters Fulfills
Its Promise.
OTHER CHANGES GO IN EFFECT
Alfred Stillman Also Announces That
Freight Docks and Grain Ware
houses Facing River Will Have
to Pay Higher Premiums.
When fire again attacks the water
front a doughty foe -will resist Its ap
petite. Tugging; at its hawser and
eager for deeds of valor, the fireboat
George H. "Williams chafes at its moor
ings, foot of East Washington street.
To be sure, the boat's apparel needs
another coat of paint and the builders
have not yet turned the fighter over to
the city, but for all that It would rush
to the fray It the devouring element
should again venture into the hitherto
defenseless rier front.
In about four days the defender will
undergo its official trial and will then
pass into the control of the city. The
Executive Board will ntan the boat with
a crew of 12 men, and then the George
H. Williams will bo launched upon its
career for good. And no sooner will
this be done than rales of fire insur
ance on the river front will be reduced.
The boat will remove what is called
In Insurance parlance the conflagration
hazard.
Lower insurance Rates.
Underwriters have their eye peeled
on the fireboat. Nearly a year and a
half ago they promised in return for a
fireboat to lower insurance rates be
tween 15 and V& per cent. That was
before the keel was laid. And now that
the boat lacks only a coat of paint, they
stand ready to fulfill their promise.
Alfred Stillman, secretary of the ex
ecutive committee. Board of Fire Un
derwriters of the Pacific, brings this
word from his headquarters at San
Francisco. Mr. Stillman Is the man
who made the promise. Yesterday he
said that policy-holders on the river
side of Front street will save 12 or 15
per cent of the premiums which they
have been paying. On the east side of
Third the reduction will be 1.6 or 1.75
per cent. Between the two streets Just
named rates will be lowered according
to their distance from the river.
But freight docks and grain ware
houses that face the river will pay
higher premiums than heretofore, de
spite the removal of the conflagration
hazard. Underwriters will apply a new
schedule of rates to such property. The
increase will range between 15 and 50
per cent. The revised schedule, Mr.
Stillman says, will bo the same as is
in force elsewhere on the Coast. But
for the fireboat, the new rates would
go even higher.
"I'm sorry." remarked Mr. Stillman
yesterday, "that the higher schedule is
to go into effect contemporaneously
with the fireboat. The truth is we have
delayed applying the schedule to Port
land for some time. At San Francisco
it has been operatlvo about six years
and at Port Costa about a year and a
half."
Wharves and Warehouses Pay More.
ExDcrience all over the United States,
he said, had proved the extreme hazard
af wharves and water front grain ware
houses. 'The unlersal tendency has been
to raise the schedule on that kind of
property to figures more commensurate
with losses, likewise in business centers
of cities.
The Nauonal Board qf. Underwriters, he
s.a!d. Is about to raise premium rates in
the congested centers of Eastern cities
20 and 25 per cent. But Mr. Stillman
soothingly added that that Increase would
not extend to the Pacific Coast. Recent
fires have been so disastrous that many
insurance companies in the Bast find
their losses exceeding their income
Mr. Stillman aers that Portland is a
progressie city In its facilities for fight
ing fire. He does not see that any Pacific
Coast city has defenses superior to Port
land's, and though this city needs addi
tional safeguards, so do other cities.
"Whon will water front rates bo low
ered?" was asked of Mr. Stillman.
"Just as soon," he responded. 4 as the
fireboat shall go into commission. We
are now working out the new rates for
the printer."
"What do you think of the boat?"
"I havon't seen It. but I am Informed
It will be highly efficient."
"If in service, could it have arrested
the burning of the Day lumber mill?"
Mr. Stillman knows the effectiveness of
llroboats: alo their limitations. And
though he believes the Portland fireboat
to be very sturdy, apparently he is not
confident o- its ability to subdue a fierce
fire like the one mentioned. However,
he conceded that the boat might have
restrained wie conflagration to narrower
confines. But a dash against the big
fire as if to rout it from Its prey, Mr.
Stillman sas. might hae been the worst
part of valor.
Boat Might Have Burned Up.
Tho' boat might have been burned up,"
he asserted bluntly.
"What makes you think it would have
been burned up?"
"I didn't say it would: I said It might"
'Why might It have been burned up?"
"That was a very hot fire; the boat
was perhaps not fully equipped and it
is made of wood.'
"Aren't wooden boats good fire fight
ers?" "Yes, Indeed," responded Mr. Stillman
quickly, as if to head off a contrary in
ference. "Your wooden boat wMl be a
strong defender of your city. Still, in my
opinion, a steel boat, if your city could
have afforded it, would better suit your
needs. The narrowness of your harbor
and its many shallow places expose a
wooden boat to more danger than, for
example, at San Francisco. But let me
congratulate our city for having so ex
cellent a fireboat."
"The we shouldn't expect too much of
a fireboat?"
"Extreme enthusiasm is likely to be dis
appointed. If a conflagration should take
hold of one of your large warehouses, like
Montgomery, No. 2, your fireboat could
not save it; that is, probably. It could,
however, rescue adjoining property. The
sweep of flames through such a structure
would bo terrific That warehouse, like
your others on the river front, is not di
vided into compartments for arresting fire.
Once started, fire would rush" through the
building without restraint."
On structures of that kind Insurance
rates are to be increased between 15 and
50 per cent. Montgomery No. 2 has 17,
150 square feet of floor space, the largest
In the city. In Boston, the kfw requires
such structures to be divided into com
partments of not more than SOCO square
feet each. Other large cities impose simi
lar requirements.
The maximum area, according to the
new schedule that is to be jut into effect
here, is 10,000 square feet, and for greater
areas, an extra charge is to be made. The
new rate on Montgomery No. 2 will be
about 2& per cent, but if the dock were
divided into compartments the rate would
be about 1.4 per cent. On Montgomery
No. 1 the new rate will be about 2.6 per
cent, but with compartments it would be
.95 per cent. Mr. Stillman cites the fore
going figures to exemplify the cheaper in
surance of compartment construction.
Then to show the hazard of Portland's
large grain warehouses he cited their floor
area as follows:
Montgomery No. 2 .140,150
Montgomery No. 1 104,000
Oceanic 92,100
Columbia No. 2 94,000
Columbia No. 1 61,875
Greenwich No. 1 72.123
Greenwich No. 2 28,375
Mersey 67.500
Irving 72.000
O. R. & N. CG.960
Pacific Coast Elevator 53.200
Albers Bro 23,750
"All of those warehouses save four,"
remarked 3Ir. Stillman. "contain clean
ing machinery, and you know how they
add to the danger of fire."
As a building worthy of imitation, he
pointed to the one of the American Can
Company in North Portland, which is
divided into compartments, the walls are
concrete down to low water, slieathed
with wood. The man who designed the
building testified that the cost was 10
per cent less than it would have, been
under the ordinary method of construc
tion. "That may sound queer," said Mr.
Stillman, "but it's true."
Three years ago, the conflagration
hazard was placed on property back to
Third street. Since that time it has cost
a great deal of money. Mr. Stillman
was asked how long after its removal,
policy-holders would save the cost of the
boat.
"That depends," said he, "on the time
of your next firo. '
"But how long in saved premiums?"
But he didn't attempt so hard a prob
lem. "Should you not be content," ho
questioned Jocosely, "to save the Interest
on the cost of the boat? When we offered
the reduced rates we figured that out
closely for you."
Full-Paid System to Go in Effect.
The full-paid system will go into effect
in the Fire Department next month. Mr.
Stillman was glad, even surprised, to
know it. "Do you get .a reduction for
that, too?" he asked anxiously.
J. C. Stone, surveyor in charge of the
local district, told him that the reduction
for the fireboat was intended also for the
full-paid department.
"What do insurance men think of
Portland, anyhow?" Mr. Stillman was
asked. .
"They like the premiums."
"Do they consider Portland a back
ward town?"
No, they did not, and any person who
did was not acquainted, with the stupidity
of San Francisco, the contumacy of Salt
Lake City or the sluggishness of Los
Angeles. San Francisco was "a beautiful
city for a conflagration"; it lacked ap
paratus and water supply, and even
didn't own its flreboats. Salt Lake was
so stubborn that rates were. Increased
fully 26 per cent two years ago and still
the town didn't budge. So conservative
was the the place that one of Its fire
engines was 25 years old, another 15 an2
the third was out of service.
"Portland has always been prompt to
improve its facilities," concluded Mr.
Stillman.
RUSH TO REGISTER
Total Number of Voters on the
Rolls.22,721.
MONDAY IS- THE LAST DAY
Country Precincts Yet to Be Heard
From Will Probably Swell
the Total to About
23,000.
The total registration when the books
were closed last night was 22.72L The
number registered during the day wa3 525.
The closing hour was 9 o'clock, but the
clerks remained for some time later to ac
commodate latecomers.
The books will be closed finally at 5
o'clock Monday afternoon. The tdtal reg
istration will probably reach 23,000, and
may be over that number. Closing re
turns are yet to be received from St.
Johns, "Linnton, Gresham, Latourell, Fatr
vlew, Troutdale and other precincts where
notaries are registering electors on regis
tration blanks. Most of the return from
the outside precincts are already in. Coun
ty Clerk Fields several days ago estimated
that the total will be at least 23,500.
The present figures are not exact addi
tions, and are subject to correction. Two
years ago when the books were closed the
total registration was apparently 20,665,
but after the books had been checked up
the number was reduced to 20,390. Errors
are liable to occur because of changes of
residence and other causes which are1 dis
covered when the books are gone over. A
rush is expected Monday.
FAILING BRANCH KILLS L0GGEB
Charles Shank Meets Death While at
Work Near1 Bridal Veil.
Charles Shank, a logger in the employ
of the Apex Transportation Company,
carrj ing on logging operations near Bridal
Veil, was killed by a falling branch
Friday afternoon. The accident was re
ported to Coroner J. P. Finley yesterday.
The man was killed while felling a tree,
which in the course of its fall struck and
broke off several large branches of an
other tree, one of which being hurled
downward by the. Impetus of the falling
tree struck Shank on the breast, breaking
his neck and an arm and a leg. He died
Instantly.
The Coroner's verdict was that his death
had occurred by accident and was not
due to any extraordinary (danger. He
had been warned by the other men to
s.tand further back, but he did not heed
them.
The victim of the accident is a man
of 45 and has a family living near Cougar
Mountain, n Clackamas County. His
remains were brought down to Troutdale
jesterday by the company and will be
sent on by them to his family.
SHOOTS AMMONIA IN DOG'S EYES
Young Boy of South Portland Fill3
Airgun With the Liquid.
The young hoodlum of South Portland
has found a new diversion. He now
shoots ammonia into the eyes of dogs,
and it Is said also Into the eyes of chil
dren A number of people living in the
neighborhood of the Falling School have
of late found their dogs suffering from
injured eyes, and could not find the cause
until Miss Lilian Gallagher, the owner
(B0gfe?
130 SIXTH STREET
3 Brass
Bed
Specials
$38 Bed Reduced to $25
$50 Bed Reduced to $35
$65 Bed Reduced to $42
New designs in Mission
Furniture. Call and see
them at the Lowest Priced
Furniture Store in the city.
Hold your order on furniture
and rugs until you have seen
our entire stock.
IT WILL PAY YOU BIO
of a black Great Dane, a prize-winning
dog at the Portland "Bench Show, found
her dog suffering from some Injury to
the eye, and on investigation learned
that some boys had been .shooting a
liquid into its face. She inquired of them
what the liquid was, and they said water.
But as the dog continued to cry and got
no better she summoned a veterinary
surgeon, who found that the dog's eyes
had been affected by ammonia. The dog
is in great pain and it is doubtful wheth
er its eyesight will be saved.
The boy who admits having shot the
ammonia Is a 15-year-old lad named "Will
iam Custis. At present Miss Gallagher
is very angry and threatens to have him
arrested. She is particularly interested
in seeing the boys punished, as she un
derstands they are in the habit of shoot
ing ammonia at one another and other
children not engaged in the sport Cus
tis has admitted he was shooting am
monia in his airgun.
CHANGES IN "ABMY" CIRCLES
Officers of Salvation Corps Trans-"
ferred to Other Cities.
The annual change of officers in the
ranks of the Salvation Army has been
announced, and a number of workers
who have become familiar figures to
Portlanders will be transferred to other
fields. Among these are Ensign and
Mrs. Joseph Hawks, who have worked
here for 15 months. They will go into
the field at Tacoma, and their places will
be filled by Ensign Maud Bigley, of
Baker City, and Captain Bertha .Houlton,
to whom a welcome meeUng will be ex
tended next Thursday evening, while fare
well meetings will be held today at 11
A. M., 3 P. M. and 8 P. M.
Captain Broughman, who has been as-
ft. IZBri
wL -; -
H - ,
M COPYRIGHT ISO , " g.
81 .-'--
!&;
Save Money
by Buying
Your
Spring Suit a
The Moyer
Come in and let us show yoi
what- excellent Suits we an
selling at
$1 On $12.5
You will pay from $2 to $;
more in up-town stores
WHEN YOU SEE IT IN OUR A
IPS SO
MOYER
CLOTHIN'
COMPAN
THIRD AND OAK STREETS
slsting Majbr Dubbins, will go to
Hoqulam, "Wash., and Major and Mrs.
Dubbins, together with a party from
other points on the Pacific Coast, will
leave Portland the latter part of this
month, going to London to attend the
International Salvation Army Congress,
which will convene in July. They ex
pect to return in August.
May 17 and IS the North Pacific Officers'
Council will be held in this city, and
Colonel George French, of San Francisco,
provincial officer, will speak at a public
meeting Tuesday at No. 1 Hall, 285 Davi3
street. Meetings will also be helc
Wednesday night at No. 4 Hall. 12S Flrsti
street. Private sessions will be held
during the day to discuss plans for futur
work.
Insist on havms Just what you call for wUeo
vou eo to buy Hood's Sarsaoarllla.
FIREBOAT IS READY TO ACT.
Official Trial Trip Thursday-Engineers
Are Chosen.
On Thursday afternon the official trial
trip of the fireboat "George H. "Williams"
will be held. Fire chiefs of several Coast
cities have ben Invited, as well as nearly
all the local officials and a number of
engineers. An exhibition of the water
throwing and fire-extinguishing appara
tus will be made as well as a run along
the rier. The greater portion of the
trial will take place between the Mor
rison street bridge and the steel bridge,
so that the public generally may see how
the fireboat works.
The Willamette Iron & Steel Works, the
builders of the fireboat. have given the
city permission to use it on emergency,
though it is doubtful If another water
front fire such as that of Thursday night
will occur before the boat is turned over
to the fire department.
Clarence D. Kellogg and Thomas M.
Tackaberry have been selected first and
second engineers of the fireboat. The
Executive Board must soon pick the mas.
ter from the eligible list, choosing among
W. H. Whltcqmb. W. C. Monical, and J.
H, Nellson.
POLITICAL PBIHTING.
Candidates cards, poster cards, circular
letters in typewriter ribbon, etc Ander
son & Dunlway Co.. 20S Alder. Phone
Main 17.
OPTICIANS
WHO ARE
EXPERTS
With our exceptional facilities we are
not only la a position to do skillful optical
work, but to accomplish remarkable re
sults in the fitting of difficult cases. Some
of our best work has been done on pa
tients whose nervous condition demanded
more than ordinary and painstaking care
and this we give to alL We are never
in a hurry when testing a patient's eyet.
We want to give such service that will
cause each customer to look upon us as
opticians who are careful, skillful and
competent and whose charges are reas
onable and , moderate. Fair to our pa
tients and to ourselves. Examination free.
OREGON OPTICAL GO.
Exclusive Opticians
ITS 4th st-. r. M. c A. BIdrr
BANK AND OFFICE RAILING
WIRE AND IRON FENCING
Barbed Wire, Wire and Lawn Fencing,
Poultry Netting, Etc.
PORTLAND WIRE & IRON WORKS
REMOVED TO
263 PLAiNDERS -ST Near. 3d.
A Number of Ladies Who Acknowledge With Pride That
Dr. B. E. Wright Is Their. Dentist
FREE! FREE!
Edison Phonograph, if you have
your dental work DONE BEFORE
JUNE 15.
Supreme satisfaction. The highest
point of comfort and general satis
factlon is attained through posses
sion of perfect and well-kept teeth.
Misery of the worst kind always fol
lows the continued neglect of teeth.
We understand that there are den
tists who extract teeth which might
be saved if they had the ability to do
it. By our system of bridge and
crown work we restore old roots and
badly decayed teeth to their natural
beauty and usefulness; but if it is
necessary to extract roots or diseased
teeth, we can do It without the slight
est pain. One of the most necessary
possessions in a dental office to pre
vent pain is skill, and this we pos
sess In the highest degree.
DELICACY OF
TOUCH
A valuable gift to patients, and one which every dentist
cannot claim to possess, is delicacy of touch. A bungling,
awkward, strong man has no right to work upon the teeth
of nervous people, ladies and children. We are happy to say
that our operators possess this gift.
COIV1E Let us examine your teeth. It
will cost you nothing, whether you have
work done or not.
if m .- MKtf V
i VV s& I
THE LADY OF
QUALITY
Every lady of refinement should
have pretty teeth, even If you have
to buy them they are worth all that
they may cost. Of Course it would
have been easier to have kept the
natural ones, but as they are gone
you ought to have the best-appearing
and best-feeling ones that mere man
can make. Nothing else in Itself will
lend such an air of distinction as a
fine set of teeth.
Porcelain Work Is
Rapidly Revolution
izing the Practice of
Dentistry.
In years gone by if a lady had the
misfortune to have a badly broken
down front tooth, it was either neces
sary to extract it or restore it
bv- the use of gold. But not so
today. The new method of porcelain inlays enables us to
restore the tooth to its natural appearance so the most
critical cannot detect that it was ever broken down, and
this Is done without the use of the yellow metal. A great
many people object to bridge work on the ground that
they dislike the appearance of gold. By our new system
we make bridges absolutely without gold if desired by the
patient.
You will find it to your advantage to call
on us before June 15. Satisfaction
guaranteed or money refunded.
Dr. B. E. Wright's Dental Office
342i WASHINGTON STREET
CORNER SEVENTH
OFFICE HOURS 8 A.'M. TO 9 P M.; SUNDAYS, 9 A. M. TO 1 P. M. PHONE MAIN 2119. Branch Office, Steusloff Bldg., Salera.