As to Fire Losses.

As to Fire Losses.

给火与水的编辑。

Is it any wonder that the loss by fire increases yearly? Building after building burns down, the insurance is paid, and the fire record piles up until millions of dollars go up in smoke never to be reclaimed. Perhaps it seldom occurs to the insurance companies that they are to blame for a share of the fire waste. The keen competition and over insurance tends materially to make incendiarism a lucrative business. In the city of London, England, a band of incendiaries was broken up. They were known as the “ London Fire Ring,” and in the space of twenty-five years caused no less than 300 fires. During that time they defrauded the insurance companies to the tune of $450,0x30. In other ci'ies the same work goes on, and I will cite one or two cases that came under my observation. A few years ago a man with $1000 in his pocket arrived in this city. In the course of time he secured enough capital and credit to purchase a building and lease the ground. He put in a large stock of groceries and commenced business. After insuring the building and stock he made several investments in real estate and made a small fortune. One morning, during dull times, the store burned. The insurance was paid, and the man skipped across the border, leaving a number of sorrowing creditors. A man rents a house, insures furniture ; house burns ; insurance paid ; insured leaves without paying bills. Now, Mr. Editor, what is there to prevent these men thefron .1 >'n» the sa me kind of work in other cities ? If a number of persons could burn 800 buildings in England, without detection, where is this kind of work going to end ? Some years ago an insurance agent told me that he intended to drop a certain class of insurers. “ Thank goodness,” said he, “ I have only one of them on my books.” A few nights after the “ only one” burned. I have known canvassers to insure hand organs worth $16 for $250. They insure anything and everything, for anybody and everybody ; and still they wonder why fire departments, with all the modern improvements, do not reduce the loss by fire. Prevention is the only remedy. When a man insures his life the agent knows whether the risk is good. A doctor gives the applicant a thorough overhauling. If one answer to the questions asked is given falsely the policy is worthless. Apply a similar system to fire insurance ; ascertain the past record of the applicant ; correspond with the agent at the last known residence of the insured and find out whether he was burned out, or made his money honestly. In these days, when “money is king” with a large number of people, the question arises : “ Will it pay to keep on selling in small quantities, or would it be better to sell to the insurance companies?" The honest insurer is the only source of revenue to the companies, and every effort should be made to prevent dishonest men from procuring insurance. The millions lost yearly is a blot on modern civilization, and will continue while insurance companies offer a premium on crime.