The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-08
FARMERS WANT CYCLONE
INSURANCE FOR STATE
Heavy Loss Suffered During Last
Few Years Compels Them to
Seek Better Protection.
TO PETITION FOR LAW

Indiana farmers are starting a movement
10 protect themselves and their property
more securely against the ravages of cy-
clones and storms which have destroyed
thousands of dollars worth of property
during the past few years At the meeting
OF the Farmers Mutual Insurance Com
panies' Union Of Indiana yesterday, In the
Statehouse. cyclone insurance was the main
topic Of discussion. Within the past few
years Indiana has been visited by several
destructive windstorms, by which the farm
ers have lost much property not covered
by cyclone insurance. According 10 a state
law. there can be no general state cyclone
insurance, but il is restricted to local asso-
Citations that cannot cover more than hve
counties. Because of this there are many
parts OF the State where the farmers
not secure cyclone insurance on their prop
erty. and consequently heavy losers
when cyclone sweeps over their region.
The general opinion of the members as
sembled yesterday, representing the vari
Gus associations. was that an effort ought
to be made TO have the cyclone insurance
law changed so that it would cover the en-
tire State. To this end the insurance union
will devote its efforts during the ensuing
year. Much dissatisfaction was expressed
by those farmers living in parts of the
State where no cyclone insurance could be
secured The matter will come up again to-
day and 1T is probable that committees will
be appointed TO push bill providing for
law allowing a general cyclone insurance
company. paper bearing the subject
was read yesterday by George V. Kell
OF Huntertown, who declared that the farm
ers should have a more ample law protect
Ing themselves against property destroy
ing storms. 1t Is planned, If the attempt
10 secure a new law fails, to arrange
the local organizations that every county
may become one of five covered by a local
cyclone association.
LARGEST MEETING EVER.
The meeting of the Farmers Mutual In
surance Companies Union yesterday was
the largest that has ever been held in the
history of the union. On assembling in
the morning the farmers were welcomed
by Governor Durbin, who spoke in glowing
terms Of the good that the mutual in
surance companies are doing the farm
ers of the State in protecting their prop
erty against fire loss and lightning.
The annual address of the president Of
the union, Aaron Jones, of South Bend,
was unusually interesting in that IL showed
that at the present time there are $50 local
insurance associations represented in the
union. He gave figures showing that since
the formation of the union the farmers
had been saved by virtue OF the insurance
associations over 40O0.000. a sum which
more than cuts in two the price of in
surance. The mutual companies OF the
State are carrying over $50 Co., 900 in
risks. President Jones urged the members
present to work harder than ever in bring
ing more associations into utilization with
the union
At the close of the presidents address the
following committees were appointed:
Credential Committee-H. L. Nowlin, j. M.
Miller and II. Wiley.
Auditing Committed. f. Clark, L. w.
Dunfee, r. A Kirkman.
Resolution Committee-George d. Kell, d.
o. billing and ID. +. Clark.
At the afternoon session papers were read
by DR.. Joseph Saunders, of Anderson, w.
r. Clore, of Franklin, l.. w. Dunfee OF CO.
lumbia City. and l. NJ. Miller. of Upland.
The union will hold it's closing sessions
to-day, at which the election OF officers will
take place.