New-York tribune., 1875-09-24
ties by king, bad but able, might result II
events extremely interesting.
WORK BEFORE THE INSURANCE COMMITS
HIONERy


There ia at least no lack of variety in the
subjects discussed at the Convention of lnsur-
ance Superintendents. It's labOrs may not
equal in value those of the earlier gatherings,
epitOmized by President Hope, which included
the beginning of movement that swept out
of existence a legion of "wild-cat' fire IN
surance companies. If indeed the opinion OF
the Convention is reached on 1.-THE of all the
subjects brought before it, quite as much will
be done as can reasonably be expected. But
while there are many of these matters that are
not of supreme importance, there are others
that it would be great mistake to leave on
the tables of committees without definite re-
port.
The suggestions as to the need of complete
statistics respecting fires are well worth cOnsid-
ering. In nothing does the business of fire in
slIrance suffer so much as in lack of knowledge.
Chiefly from experience is that knowledge to be
gained While it is very natural that each COM
pany should wish to keep to itself such dearly
bought information, the public interest re-
auires that this should be shared by all !;
and here, perhaps. the pressure of legislation
may be ncedful. But as to the strange
and various forms of statistics which the Hon.
Albert Barnes proposes to make the companies
collect, there is certainly room for difference
of opinion. They have quite enough to do If
they follow their legitimate business, without
sharing the labors of the census-takers. Nor
is the notion improved by proposing that
the scheme shall eliminate in having
a bureau of insurance statistics at Washing
ton. That city is entirely out of the range
fxIa h,,l1r Of; ;nou Inn
management, which for many years to
come will be concentrated in New-fork,
Connecticut, and Massachusetts,. A bureau
of insurance at Washington, under what
ever pretext organized, would simply be
a step toward having a business badly
done by Government which is now, on the
whole, well conducted by private enterprise.
If, for instance, insurance managers, with
their own personal interests and fortunes at
stake, are paying now, as they believe, five
per cent of fraudulent claims for fire damages
every year, it is easy to see what an era OF
incendiary crime would begin when Govern
ment bureau gave out the policies and settled
the losses. "a. 1891 80 Il, .1as.. >..-
That, as Mr.. Hope thinks, good legislation
in the States may help to reduce the number
VI IItS tHlS Couutlyt Nhh o'htOOIy pO "On'"'
1t is the excellence of our building law in this
city, and the fact that it is pretty thoroughly
enforced, that chiefly make New-York less
liable to great fires than was Chicago
or Boston. Absolutely fire-proof structures are
the ultimate point toward which all building
laws should slowly converge. The time will
yet come when the many will perceive what
the few already realize, that these are really
the cheapest kind Of buildings. Of all legis-
lation to be hoped for in insurance business,
that which Secretary Lewis advocates so
warmly seems most needed. That tax
alton on life insurance should be inflicted
by great States like Pennsylvania at
the present day, may be cited as an evidence
of our barbarism by OUR posterity. Such taxes
must certainly weigh heavily among the causes
which interfere to prevent men from laying
aside provision for their families. The mag
nitude of this taxation is strikingly shown in
Mr.. Lews's statement that it would more than
have paid all the obligations of the companies
that have failed.