Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-03-09
To the Editor Of Me Dispatch

InlS ueVOurlDB ageub DeCOuSS 10Y ~
day a more and more serious enemy to
human progress. Its vast work OF de-
struction of what has in one shape or
another been the product OF mans toll
and hopes OF enjoyment is wonderful,
and is hardly known TO the general pub
lie as IL should be. The losses by lire IN
the United States and Canada last year
wero about $3.50, 100000. These figures
are compiled from reports made from
every quarter of the Union to
the statistical bureaus established for
the purpose OF collecting reliable
information not only Of the amount OF
loss by fire, but OF the character, origin,
and business to which these disasters re-
late. The last week in February foots
up, of thirty-two principal fires, but in
Guiding numerous snail ones, $3,4l2,-
900, and the aggregate since the LIST OF
January, 1883 tsay for two months), Is
S24, 697, 900. and should this ratio be
maintained, the loss for the year will
reach S15O,00O,0O0, Aven $50, 600, 600
more than last year, and is loss rate
exceeding ten to thirteen times that OF
any other like population on earth.
This state of things is simply astound-
ing. and when it appears that so great
waste attracts comparatively little atten-
ton, it suggests ignorance on the part OF
the public OF the extent and alarming
nature OF the fact, or what is worse,
criminal Indifference as to the conse-
quences, by which the wealth OF the
whole country is being rapidly and IRE
vocably lost-valnes that contribute 70
the general needs and comfort Of the peo-
pie, and thus their loss
1t is true insurance companies are re-
garded as adequate protection against
individual loss, but they only serve to
distribute this lossamong the whole pub
lie, or at least those who insure, fer the
premiums derived from them must needs
constitute the means fer payment OF that
part OF the aggregate loss that is met by
the insurance companies, and this tact
shows the interest which the insured or
the people that insure their property
have in the great quection Of fire waste.
They constitute q very large portion IN
numbers of the public, but the still
larger portion OF the aggregate values OF
property aud theoe insured cannot az
ford to be Indifferent observers OF the
deyastations Of fortune which they must
pay for. Could this great destruction
be exhibited at one point, and all the
people concentrated there to witness the
scene, their dismay would be boundless.
An interest would be awakened in re-
spect to the awful nature Of the disaster,
and though considerable insurance money
may be recovered, it would not serve to
allay public anxiety and distress. The
people would see in few hours the
millions Of values-the fruit of toll and
industry-swept away, never to be re-
covered. And so a marked impression
would be made upon the public mind.
But as it is, an equal amount Of
loss distributed over the vast area
OF surface OF the country excites
but little attention, and the fire-6end
that has rapidly advanced his operations
to such enormous proportions as to equal
in value the revenues OF all the States is
measurably unheeded. People appear to
have become familiar with this element
of loss, and conclude it will some way be
restored to us, or that it is at least in
dividually no matter of concern to them,
since they are insured or feel that il they
are not they will some way escape loss.
Well, what does all this mean? This
is an era Of "mind your own business "
"and take care OF yourself. The gene
raj results TO society, though often OF
matters Of deep importance, are OF little
moment to us-if we can only take care
OF ourselves "the devil may take the
hindmost."
This is a sad picture TO set before a
boosted civilization ; and when this de-
vastation by fires of the whole country is
known and is daily resounded in the ears
of representative bodies and agents of
the law, it excites scarcely more than a
remark or two.
And, again, when II is computed that
of the immense loss at least ~ to 90 per
cent. OF the entire sum originates from
fraud of the assured, Il looks as If We
were prone to shut our eyes to crime
rather than involve ourselves IN the
meshes OF conflict with it.
The insurance companies are power
less, for necessity for business compels
competition among them. Besides,
though they may appeal against unjust
claims, they (for some reason best
known to the secrecy OF the jury ROOM
meet with little or no sympathy, but
must go back whining to be shorn again.
1t is true they are not fauitless but the
public demand for full insurance over
rides every consideration OF caution
Thesis institutions may devise, while it is
claimed no moral hazard exists.
However this may be, many poor
soul has often to shudder over the empti-
ness of his larder and turn away to look,
as il were, among the debris Of some
late manufacture to regain employment
which the torch had bereft him Of.
Is it not evident that we have eat
er common interest in arresting the ten
dency to arson than we have in even ex-
tinguishing fire after it has begun its
work? O.