The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-13

nois last week and covers ar important
point affecting the interests OF landlords
premises contrary to the provisions OF the
policy and without the knowledge OF the
landlord, who was a nonresident OF Chi
cago, where the property was located. A
fire occurred, the company denied liability
for the loss and Norwaysz sued. The in
surance company won in the lower court,
and the judgment was affirmed by the SUI
preme Court.
Insurance companies which write surety
bonds find in the apparently growing thirst
for gold in this country a strong argu-
ment in favor of corporate suretyshiR
National prosperity and the mary conspicu-
Gus examples OF individual successes In the
quick accumulation OF wealth, they argue.
have awakened a general craving fer
wealth, which. in many cases, leads men In
responsible positions of trust 20 risk the
funds in their care for the advancement or
their private fortunes, and frequently
! which often result in loss to THOSE who res
l lied on their integrity without requiring tho
security OF a bond.
The Indiana Association Of Life Unders
writer's has already begun TO develop plans
| for the entertainment of the National As
ISOLATION of Life Underwriters, which will
hold its annual meeting here nest fall: The
membership of the Indiana association Is
being enlarged, as IL is recognized by life
| Insurance. men throughout the State that
the holding Of this important meeting IN
this city will bring IL opportunities which
| prominent underwriters from sl parts OF
| the officials OF some Of the leading life fnA
surance companies.
i Fire insurance interests and the propertys
owning public cannot but be gratihed by
the prompt punishment OF the confessed tn>
cendiary, John Hayden, at Vineennet. In
cendiary fires have been occurring with 9
really alarming frequency in this state
during the past year, and the Attention OK
the company managers has been called to
! this condition and the ease wiuS wnlcn tne
offenders have generally escaEed punisn-
ment. Incendiary fres and THOSE que 70
large proportion to the rates which citizens
of the State pay for their insurance. Pun
ishment. prompt and as severe as tns iaw
diarism.
Local underwriting boards II many OF
| the larger cities are sending ous notices q
merchants warning them against the in-
| creased hazards which attend The holiday
stores with elaborate displays bf bunting.
cotton, holly and other innammaole ma
| terials is viewed with alarm By fire insur.
increase in the hazard not contemplated In
the rates at which the policies were writ
ten. Many fires have started from SUCH
decorations and much property has gone
up in smoke because OF them. The danger
to which shoppers are exposed during this
busy season because OF the increased nre
hazard Ii also emphasized In these warn
ings. for a fire panic In a CROWDED DEPART
ment store is certain 10 result In many
injuries If not In loss OF lives.
| Fire insurance companies are making .
careful inspection OF the glass factories In
the Indiana gas belt which are still using
natural gas. With the failure ~ this fuel
II becomes necessary for them 10 adopt new
methods and processes which Involve ex-
| pensive changes, and, In some cases. means
removal to other locations A number OF
these factories have already loft the gas
towns and located in the coal ftlds, where
they are able TO put In ARTIFICIAL gas plants
that will furnish fuel at a mi:1imum ex-
pense. Past experience with similar con-
ditions In the Ohio gas fields has taught
the companies that they may expect an in-
crease OF fires among these riskk, and they
are carefully investigating plants before
| placing insurance upon them or course.
the insurance companies do not mean, BY
this increase Of caution. 10 brand ell pro.
prietors OF such plants as incentiaries. but
they do know that In any line OF business.
when q plant becomes Improbable or an
old process Is giving way TO = new one.
there Is. not unnaturally, a tendency on the
part Of the owner TO use less precaution
against fire and 10 become Indifferent to
conditions which he would NEVER allow
were his plant q money maker and others
wise satisfactory.