The Saint Paul globe., 1897-05-27
FISH OR CUT BAIT
q. 60 IRvIN,s1THE PHILADELPHIA
UNDERWRIEER3 SAYS CONGRESS
MUSTaACT QUICKLY.
SETTLE HEf UNCERTAINTY.
1T IT'S GOINGDTO PASS TARIFF, DO
1T, IFI NOT, GO
oHOME.
BUSINESS couDBr1oNs OUT WEST.

Representative of the German Gov
ernment Here to Look After
the Sugar BeetzPrOspects.
e. c. Irwin, Of Philadelphia, presi-
dent of the Firemans' Association In
surance Company Of Pennsylvania; G.
]. Irwin, also Of Philadelphia, and w.
H. Cunningham, of Chicago, Western
manager Of the Fireman's association,
arrived in the city yesterday afternoon
from the Pacific coast, where they have
been on long tour Of inspection and
investigation. The trio are at the
Ryan.
President Irwin says that he notices
slight improvement in the business
condition all over the West. While
the Improvement is not large, it is
plainly noticeable Mr.. Irvin's OBJ
servations on this point were fully
borne out in a number of interviews
with the leading business men In the
coast states.
I believe that the West will recover
quicker than the East" said Mr.. Irwin
to a reporter for the G. b e. while
1 was out West talked with bankers
and public men. They all agreed with
one voice that If congress would only
adjourn and go home that it would be
the best thing for the country The
house and senate have been trying for
ten weeks to get at the Tariff bill. It
Wy ho n, ho%A qD,.
IT the tariff was either passed or turned
down at once. Then the people would
know just where they stood. No one
will risk the enlargement of their busi-
ness on uncertainty.
When I was in Helena I talked with
Gov. Smith about the condition of af-
fairs In Montana. The governor was
very much encouraged with the out
look The principal industries Of Mon
tana. the governor told me, were min
Ing, cattle and sheep. All three were
In a prosperous condition, except, per-
haps. the silver mines which are doing
put little on account Of the low prices
of the white metal But the gold and
copper mines are running full time.
Gov. Smith told me that last year $751;
100000 worth of gold and copper ore
was taken out in Montana. He expects
that the output the coming year will be
much larger, giving employment to
still greater numbers of men,
The Insurance business shows a. fall
ing off from over two or three years
ago, but it is still in a healthy condi-
tion. Profits have decreased some
what"
To what do you attribute the fall
ing off 2"
We'll, In the first place, the manu-
factories of the country are not work.
ing as fast as sthey were a few years
ago. This results In lighter stocks in
the warehouses and factories, and
smaller stocks mean smaller risks and
small profits. Then again, the stocks
which are found in the warehouses are
valued less and these two reasons, be-
lieve, are responsible for the decreased
profits Of the insurance companies.
Americans are the most careless peo-
pie, and their buildings are the most
susceptible to fire Of any in the world.
The annual loss by fire in the United
States averages from $100,000,000 to
y
a nation. This is an immense sum to
go up in smoke. But believe that in
the future this sum will be greatly les
sened. I find that in all Of the states
through which travel, that the legis-
latures are passing laws requiring more
care in the construction of buildings,
the protection of lumber yards, forests,
etc. Under these laws all of the larger
and many Of the smaller cities are re-
vising their building ordinances. In
time this new order of things will have
its desirable effect In decreasing the
number of conf1agrations. There was
a time not long ago when most Of the
large buildings erected in this country
were made to sacrifice safety, and
everything else in order to get the most
space for the least cost. Fortunately
that period Is about over, especially
in the older portions Of the country.
Insurance does not create wealth.
It merely distributes it," said Presi-
dent Irwin. '"The better the business,
the better the country
.I have great faith In the future Of
Spokane" remarked General Agent J.
C. Sullivan, of the Diebold Safe COM
pany, Of Cincinnati, at the Ryan yes
terday. I believe that Spokane is to-
day the best city in the whole country
and that during the next five years
it will double in population and wealth.
Tt is the opening Of the Kootenai mines
which has done all this. Hundreds Of
wealthy men are going out to Spokane
to settle They are interested in the
mines and Spokane will become the
1fca efl1T~ n Or
district for all this vast mining ter
ritory."
Mr. Sullivan left for Spokane over
the Great Northern yesterday after
noon. He will establish large branch
of the company he represents at that
city.
3. Coggshall and J. E. Flint, Of
Texas, were at the Merchants yester-
day and left yesterday afternoon for
Montana. Both gentlemen are exten-
sive cattle owners and spent the winter
in the South looking after their inter-
ests. They have gone West to super
intend the buying and shipping ad-
ditional herds.
IT. A. D'Acheul and wife, Of Helena,
were at the Ryan yesterday. Mr..
D'Acheul is interested in the drug
trade in the Capital City.
Frank F. Frye. of Seattle, came to
the city yesterday and registered at
the Merchants. Mr.. Frye is buying
hogs at South st. Paul for shipment
to Seattle The first shipment Of hogs
to Seattle left the city ten days ago
and others will follow The trade is
believed to be- very profitable.
Among the visitors in st. Paul yes