The San Francisco call., 1904-06-29
ATKINSON on CONGESTED DIS
TRICTS.

In response to an invitation from
some Toronto merchants who were
dissatisfie,. with the increase of in
sUrance rates there to visit Toronto
and deliver an address upon the in
surance problem, Edward Atkinson
wrote as follows:
Dear Sir: l appreciate very fully the
compliment which you have extended to
me on behalf Of the Association
- to visit your city and to address
you on the subject of insurance If
there were no other reason, my advanced
age now forbids my accepting such in
Vitation. requiring a somewhat long rail
way journey and considerable eXpendi
ture Of physical strength
But there are other reasons why my
address (were | to make one) would not
conduce TO your satisfaction The re-
cent confagrations are the normal re-
suits of the continued neglect of the
owners and occupants of the buildings In
the congested districts of cities to take
suitable measures for the prevention OF
loss by fire by adopting safer methods
Of construction and suitable care in oc-
cupancy. These confa grations are but
the normal results, long anticipated, re-
curing with increasing frequency, as
they Will continue to recur until the
owners and occupants of the buildings
give even a moderate attention to their
own duty. to their own property.
The larger part of such buildings have
Detn constructed WITHOUT the SllRnleSl
attention being given TO the danger of
the rapid spread of fire; in very many
cases they supply examples of what L
have called tine art of cOmbuStible
architecture" which seems to have been
conducted as if owner, architect and
builder alike were providing for the
largest possible loss by fire from the
least possible cause, and in most cases
the occupancy is marked by neglect of
the commonest precautions for safety.
In recent years the stock insurance
~. 1.
lished systems of inspection. and have
endeaVored to give instructions that
would lead to greater safety How have
they been met? Simply in most cases Al s
if they were meddlesome persons who
might be put off with many shams. and
whose precautions. after the inspectors
have left, are totally neglected. They are
looked upon rather as persons who are
trying to get premiums out of the own
ers and occupants of property without.
rendering any corresponding service.
Under these conditions and in spite of
every effort of the stock underwater to
change them the insurance of property
in cities against loss by fire has been
for many years improbable. The in
SuranCe corporations have been saved
from bankruptcy only by their posses
sion of capital and of reserves previous
ly accumulated and by the interest re-
covered from the premiums during the
year in which they are in their posses
sion. Their profits. where they have
made any. have been realized in their
junction dE D1flhtIS ilOIt ltldt OhSelLlnB
the losses on their fire business.
Under recent conditions of heavy
losses they have of necessity advanced
the rates of premium. This advance has
been so much resisted. and is as yet so
insufficient. to meet the increasing haz-
ard of confla grafton. that several of the
foreign companies are largely reducing
their risks; and the penalty has at
length fallen where il belongs. on the
owners and occupants of property in the
congested districts of cities. They will
he no longer able to buy contracts of in
demnity at less than cost.
Under these conditions they may at
length learn that the fault lies with
them. and that the only remedy rests
with themselves.
Regretting that cannot accept your
invitation. even if you desired me to do
so after the receipt of this letter, 1 re-
main yours very truly.
EDWARD ATKINSON