People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1899-01-27
Hail Insurance.

Insult SIOWlhS CIOpS against ududgts
By hail, must have struck a popular
chord if letters and inquiries are
indications. Even parties 10 Okla
hOma have asked for copies Of the
bill.
With regard TO the article by W.R.
Lindsey in the VOICE of the Goth,
and the comments of the editor
thereon, in which | am requested to
Call meeting Of the farmers for the
purpose Of organization, will say that
there is a movement already on foot
to organize state hail insurance
company with headquarters at Nc.
PnersOn or at some other central
point. Both Iowa and Nebraska have
state hail insurance companies organ
lied on the mutual plan, and, | am
Informed are doing avery satisfactory
business.
Before left Topeka Mr.. Yowells
OF Mcpherson, came down to see me
with regard to the organization CT a
state company and we spent full
half day in talking the matter over.
Mr.. Yowells has had six years. expert.
ence In this state and is president of
the largest mutual fire insurance
company in the state. He says that
tile state plan would be much prefer
able TO the local or county plan for
the reason that in a local company
The rate might be quite low for year
OF two and then come very heavy
according as the hail skipped or
struck that particular locality while
with the state pan the localities
where hail damages we're greatest
would he prorated with localities
where damages were lightest and
it would come nearer making the
rate equal from year to year.
The old plan of taking any and
everybOdy'S notes for premiums has
not proved satisfactory, as many
failed TO pay and The cost of collect
Ing others was equal to or greater
than the notes themselves, hence the
most popular plan now seems to be to
have tine premium paid in cash or a
good bankable note to become due
before the losses are paid. All pre-.
mlumS remaining after the losses are
paid to be related OaCk to the mem.
bers.
l suggested the plan of having sub.
organizations in each of the principal
wheat growing counties so that all
moneys and notes might be held in
the banks in the counties in which
they were given, thereby saving the
expense Of sending them 10 some
central point and returning all I'm.
earned premiums.
My bill only provided for the organ
izltiOn OF companies, and all cOmpan
les organizing under it was left free
to adopt such rules and regulations as
they saw fit.
From circular letter that | have
just received from parties in McPher
son | learn that they have prepared
bill providing rules for the govern
ment of a~mutual hail company, that
it has been approved by good legal
talent, and is now in the hands Of
their representatives. II this bill is
all right, and | presume it is, it had
ought to pass without any opposition.
The circular further states that the
most approved plan yet suggested is
to have fifteen directors, one from
each of the fifteen principal wheat
growing counties 10 the state,
] heartily agree with Farmer Lind
sey that now is the time to organize
but under the circumstances think il
best to await the action of the Nc.
Pherson parties. l don't think there
is any question but. that they will
complete their organization.
Whether we have state or loca
company, it should be conducted or
good, safe business principles. Eact
member should be compelled to pay
his prOportiOnate part and no more
The officers should be honest ant
competent men who are willing t.
look after the company's interes
rather than their own. They shoult
receive reasonable wages for thei
services.
lam right glad TO know that tn
VOICE takes such deep interest fl
the matter and feel safe in predicting
that it will keep the farmers postet
on the developments of the new com
pauy. II. f. HARBAUGH.
= A Friends Tribute.
Death with his icy fingers touche
the lips of our old friend and neigh
Dor Mrs. ]. G. Graham, and she die
at her home in Newkirk, OF, Jan
uorv 81 1900 Monvindaod ,,o,o -