Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1898-10-13

But the rate would be so low that, as an
economic proposition, he could not af-
ford TO let his property go without being
insured.
Q. How would such insurance be car
ried on?
A. That is a matter Of detail that the
Legislature would have to meet when
the people have decided that they want
State insurance. The following suggea-
GOV. l.INWIiIIIfNt G1sT1oN. ~
FirBf.-In his mesaage 10 the Legislature
In 1885, Governor Lewelling said why
should not the State, through ITS Insurance
Department provide n safe and punctual
Insurance for the people? The Insurance
Department might be USED by such people
as choose to use Il for the purpose OF mu-
tual insurance. u could be done without hd out
partment could be readily supported out OF
the fees, and the County Clerks and town
ship trustees could act as local agents
cality could investigate every loss and
transmit It's report to the Insurance De-
partment, which would make an assess
ment, as fraternal societies DO In case OF
death, and transmit the proceeds at once
BILL INTRODUCED IN 1897,
Second-A bill was introduced In the last
Legislature providing for State insurance
and making II the duty OF assessors to lake
property, and making the Board OF County
commissioners Board OF Adjusters, and
providing for the levylng and collecting or
premiums In the same manner rs county
WEBB M'NALLs SUGGESTION.
Third--In his annual report for 1885, SUI
perintendent McNall says: II would tur-
Their recommend that the Legislature pro-
vide for State insurance, the same to be In
control of the Insurance Department
ITO illustrate: When the township trus-
tees assess the property, direct them TO
Take applications for the various indivdu-
ia in their respective townships or cities,
nying the amount of fire insurance they
desire to carry, the length Of time Uhe
classification and rates having been pre-
pared prior to this time by the Insurance
department, based upon the statistics In
This office OF the fire insurance companies
doing business In the state during the last
preceding year, etc., at all other times the
applications could be made to the County
Clerk. Money can be appropriated from the
| general fund to be placed In an insurance
fund until such time as the amount col
| leCted IL sufficient to pay the running eX-
penses, including losses incurred and then
same can be returned, the money to be coll
| lected by taxation the same as other taxes
q. Are there any instances wnere
State or municipal insurance has been
tried?
A. Yes. Q) Germany Is maintaining
government accident insurance, and also
system of annuities for laborers.
(2) Sweden has system Of insur-
ance.
(3) The canton of Zurich, In Switzer-
land maintains fire insurance.
az In 1891 Southport, England, adopt
ed q system of insuring It's property it.
self to the extent Of one-half (see New
Time" volume 1, page 1867.
(5) In 1896 Bradford, England, began
municipal fire insurance, laying aside a
certain proportion Of the profits from
the municipal gas works to be used to
form fund to set against loss OF munic-
ipal property (see New Time" volume
/, page 1861.
(6) Paris Is considering the advisa-
bility of creating an Office for municipal
insurance against fire (see New Time,
volume 1, page 46).
(7) Berlin, Germany has very satis-
factory system of municipal insurance
that works smoothly and contributes
materially to the city's revenue (Alonzo
Wardall, in paper read before con-
vention of mutual fire insurance compa-
MES at Des Moines, December IS, 1870
(S) It is not generally known
that the corporation Of London actually
carried on the business Of fire insurance
from 1851 to 1888 but was compelled to
abandon 1t through the opposition of
those interested in private undertakings,
who finally obtained a mandamus in the
court Of kings bench to restrain their
civic competitor (Walford's Insurance
Cyclopedia, volume g. pages 446-455).