The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-11-14
STEAM BOILER INSPECTION AND
INSURANCE.

We had the pleasure to meet this
week sir. f. C. Betgood, representing
The Hartford, Conn. Steam Boiler In
spection and In suranee Company, who
was in Providence for the purpose OF
Inspecting the boilers of the Providence
Lumber Co.
As boiler insurance is new thing to
us we asked Mr.. Betgood some details
about his business; and he kindly told
us the following:
This is the second time this year
that I-have been in Providence for the
purpose of inspecting the boilers OF the
Providence Lumber Co., who are IN
sured with us. Our Company has a
number of inspectors, who make four
Inspections year of every boiler IN
sured with us, two internal ones, IN
which the inspector must get In the
boiler itself, and two external ones.
Each time the inspector m axes report
to the company of the condition of the
boiler. and if he finds any repair to be
made, the company exacts that it should
be made at once, otherwise the policy
is cancelled. People who own steam
boilers know generally nothing about
them, but when an inspection is made
by one of our inspectors, they may rest
assured that their boiler is in first
class running order. In case the
boiler should blow up, while 1t is in
sured, the company pay ALL LOSSES,
DAMAGES AND LIABILITIES to the
amount of the policy. The Providence
Lumber Co.. are careful business men
and have their boilers insured with us
for three years; the premium paid by
them will scarcely pay the expense OF
the twelve inspections that we. must
necessarily make to their boilers during
that time.
The Hartford has in force at this
time policies covering upwards OF
eighty thousand boilers, used in all
kinds of manufacturing establishments.
from Maine to California and from the
Canadian line to the Cult of Mexico.
"Steam boiler inspection and insur-
ance is comparatively new thing
among your people, but in the north
ern aud eastern states. it is more COM
mon for a man to insure his boiler than
to insure his house; and the people in
this section are beginning to view the
matter in the same light as they do
elsewhere.
AFTER all, when we come to look a.
the subject in the light of experience it
does seem absurd for d man owning. let
us say, a gin or saw mill to carefully
insure himself against loss by fire, flood
or storm. and then leave himself totally
unprotected in case his boiler blows up
especially when we consider that ex-
plosions OF boilers are occurring ever Y
day in the year. with great loss Of life
and property. When we consider
what terrible engine of destruction a
steam boiler may become in case it cx-
plodes, it certainly seems to behoove
all users of steam to seek the security
and comparative freedom from danger
which is to be had in frequent inspec-
tlons by men who are especially trained
for this branch of business. The Hart
ford is the only company doing bust
ness which confines itself strictly TO the
inspection and insurance of steam
boilers, having been in this business for
thirty odd years.
Their system of work is thorough
and Infinitely painstaking, aiming to
keep the policy holder at all times ex-
Lactly informed as to the safety and con-
dition of his boiler through careful IN
ternal and external inspections made
by skilled examiners. The inspectors
of the company are men chosen be-
cause of their thorough knowledge in
all matters pertaining to engines, boilers
and machinery in general. all the
advice and cooperation of these men
which is free to the insured, must be OF
great value TO all steam users.
'.The policies of the company are
plain and simple and have no restric-
tive clauses, being in effect merely an
agreement to pay certain sum in case
of rupture. or explosion"
Mr.. Betgood will be back in three
months from now and he expects to
place good many policies on boilers in
our parish.