The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1902-07-01
PROTECTION
Value of the N. c. State Fire
mems Association.
Even the Greed Of a LIS, ought 10 - Sails
fed Nth That Profit Instead Of
Asking an increase.

To The Editor You~ EDITORIAL n your
rec d, Issue on the suffice: 81, the Increase
in insurance rates ~ tho Southeastern
Tariff Association vas timely. comprc-
hcnsive and to the potat. art wish
that every business man IN tho State
would both read ard carefully consider
the same. II Is \ matter ~ IS much rgal
Importance that rs subject matter could
well be reproduced. While. however.
YOU truly state the facts AMI ilsures.
showing the great Improvement in the
fire record OF the State lu the last fete
years and give credit 10 s1mc Who 4rc
entitled 10 il. l trust You wan patIon
me for reminding YOU that YOU failed To-
note that the most important factor ia
bringing about this most desirable con
dition OF things Is due 10 The annually
increasing efficiency Of tho FIRE depart.
ments OF cur several towns and %cgi.s.
whose wonderful Improvement IN tura -
chiefly due TO their memberships in tho
North Carolina State Fircmans' Nea5-
citation. due 10 the interest they take
in our annual conventions ana tourua-
ments, where everything new. up-to-
date, and pertaining 10 fire protection
and fire lighting is discussed. praettcyd
and utilized. In addition the state all
given us, guaranteeing our volunteer
memberships from loss OF time when in
jurcd in the fire service and the rivalry
in our tournaments. both combine to
keep up an enthusiasm and interest that
otherwise could not hc maintained There
is no question but what NC have iho
best laws on our statute books TO protect
the insurance companies Of any State I'm
the Union, and there is also no question
tour record shows it, but what wc ha,c
as efficient fire departments as any
where else and there il no fair. just or
equitable reason why our property
should not receive the benefit Of the ef-
forts OF our own people. with the in
SuraLCe companies now making 80 per
cent. or North Carolina business. i. g..
onIy paying in losses forty cents for
every dollar collected in premiums. it
does look like even the greed OF a trust
ought to be satisfied with that profit
instead of asking an increase. The
writer is not, never was and never cx-
poets to be of that class that fights cor
porations or associated interests simply
because they are corporations. but like
every good citizen, l am always ready
" NV aiId oitl tNSlbls lbitf
personal. political or corporate and vice
versa. When the laws passed at the last
session of the legislature requiring
every small Incorporated town 10 pro-
vide fire protection and as far as pos
sible fire prevention are fully under
stood and put in force, then YOU VIII
see a much further reduction in our fire
losses in the State. which under the re
cognized natural laws OF business ought
to and virtually Will, result in a decrease
of rates of insurance. This is a great
big subject Mr.. Editor, and ! wish the
press with its powerful influence would
take it up and make plain to the pcopla
the Importance of maintaining efficient
fire departments so that property own
ers could carry less insurance at lower
rates. Yours truly,
JAS. -. M'NEILL.
Pres. n. G. s. Fircmcn As5o.