Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-03-19
Cause Unknown

1T Is becoming matter of wonder why
so many fires occur for which no natural
cause can be discovered or assigned.
Every day we run across accounts of the
burning of comparatively worthless build
ings-usually in country places-which
close with the familiar lengend Cause
unknown
1t has been suggested that the cause is
not so much unknown" in the majority
OF these cases, as concealed and, unwill-
ing as we are to accept this
Interpretation of the mystery, we are
compelled to believe that there is some
truth in it, The high rates of indemnity
which are permitted by the modern sys-
tenn of fire insurance, can not fail to be a
great temptation to holders of property
whose assessed value can not be realized
in the market. The fact that there are
thousands of policy holders who would
unquestionably prefer to see certain prop
erty on their hands in ashes rather than
standing, amounts to something as pre-
scriptive evidence in cases where
no cause can be assigned for the
destruction of such property by fire.
1t is an ugly charge to make against a
his own property for the sake of securing
the insurance money upon it, and of
course, the fire insurance companies hest
tate about preferrng such charge but
nevertheless, some facts point strongly to
this conclusion. One or two such facts
should be mentioned.
1t is the exception, rather than the rule.
for comparatively worthless piece of
property that is not insured to be de-
stroyed by fire. Why is it that
one hardly ever finds an old rookery
either in the country or the city, that is
not insured, and heavily insured 1t
looks rs though the owner suspected that
the building might, possibly, at some time
or other, come to an unfortunate end /.
and in case of so great calamity, he is
DESTROYS to lay up for himself as much
material consolation as possible
Furthermore, property of this character
is apt to be much more heavily insured
than other property, according to their rel
alive values. This also seems to smack of a
special providence. 1t is not likely that
shrewd man will pay for long periods
| heavy insurance rates on an old finder
box, because he values it so highly. There
is a good deal of the same spirit manifest
ed here, as is manifested by the heirs pre-
sumptiye in tenderly caring for and cher
| ishing their rich and aged relatives.
Another fact specific and pertinent, is
afforded by the state of affairs in New
Hampshire, since the retirement of the
fire insurance companies from that
State, under the valued policy"
law. Since the people of New
Hampshire have been unable to pro
cure insurance, the number Of fires has
decreased bv more than one-half. This
fact has an Exceedingly suspicious look.
Either the people of New Hampshire are
more careful or less culpable than they
were year ago; ana the time seems
rather short for them to have acquired
that effective caution which the former
supposition would imply,
cause unknown" is very innocent
looking phrase, and sounds well in print;
but the time is coming when spontaneous
combustion will be considered criminal
indulgence ON the part of old and inlirm
buildings. That time seems to have ar
rived-at least temporarily in New
Hampshire.