Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-12-24

out by the intelligent business man in preference
to many of that class which ignores its protection.
Then again, it is fact undeniabe that the re-
cepts Of very many Of the large agency companies,
foreign and domestic, have fallen off latterly,
while those of their smaller brethren have in
creased. Does this look selfish and arbitrary on
the part of the great board companies!
Then, again, the non-board institutions have
many benefits of the board, without paying for
them. Why soi The whole country is ,arifed,
these tariffs accessible to any ONE and as the
antibosrders well know that the rates will not be
likely to be too low, they can play upon the rates
and study the art of undertaking at pleasure. Yet
this great combination is prosecuting the small
companies, abusing the business man and extort-
ing money under false pretences. Where IS your
consistency Every non-board company knows
better than that. They know, too, that they can
look at the combination rates and feel that they
are full and fair.
They can make their nice little distinctions, and
"poor pussy" their customers, and feel that they
have standard to guide them This is the way
the anti-boards afflicted" If these rates are
so much to be ignored, why doesn't the ou-board-
err throw them away and be governed by them
not at all No, sir, the non-boarder would no
more be without the board tariff than the navigat-
or without his compass. Therefore it is seen that
the workings of the National board are blessings
alike to board and non-board companies. Now to
briefly decide upon the merits of board and non
board companies is very easy.
In the first place non-board companies are gen.
orally managed by inexperienced and venturesome
men,. So much to their discredit. Then, ask the
complainant or non-complanant of high rates
which companies they prefer and both will choose
the board in preference to the non-board company.
We have not space to refer to some of the faults
Of the board, neither can we in this article speak
of some of the solid institutions out Of the board.
That there must be reform in the management Of
the former and that there are meritorious institu
tions of the latter kind we are fully aware.
1t is a remarkable fact (no, it is not remarka-
BILE fact in the case of unreasonable mem that
those men who have been defrauded by cheap
companies and and banker for cheap insurance,
in vending an article of food clothing recon-
mend frst-class article as the best investment,
even though the price be full. They cannot rec
oncic non-board prices in the dry goods, grocery
trade or any mercantile pursuit.
Now suppose that every fire insurance company
in the U. s., and every new one-as soon as it is
ready for action-should become members of the
National Board there would soon be a result
which it is delightful to contemplate. There
would be uniformity and standard of rates
which would bring about golden security to the
country. Sham and irresponsible institutions
and failures would wonderfully diminish. Strife
and unhealthy competition in the conduct of the
business would cease and the pursuit of this great
national vnd commercial necessity would be en-
gagged in in peaceful manner hitherto unknown.
All might not be equally and ,mpartally favored
with business more in than out Of the board, but
it would not be long before each would be called
to assume all the business their resources would
justify. One company, nor hundred, cannot do
all the business, so as soon as the hundred have
got their maximum amounts of risks, then the re-
naming companies can come in for their share
But when will this condition of affairs exist 7
Certainly ant-board companies cannot take .cour-
age because of q recent diminution in the number
Of great fires. Anti board companies may have
accumulated quite little reserve fund within the
last three years, and at the same time have in
CURED liabilities dsproportionately large to pre-
miums received. Who can foretell the future de-
struction Of that fiery element? We can only
Judge of the future by the past.
FIRE INs. AGENT.