The San Francisco call., 1908-12-15

Although police and underwriters
declare without reservation that the
fire which occurred at 2313 California
street Sunday morning in the premises
occupied by Nine. Malard, a Partisan
dress maker; her daughter, Mile. Girod,
and a male companion, was Of incen-
diary origin, responsibility for the
crime has not been fixed, and Nine.
Malard, who had insured her effects
for $4,000 in seven different COM
panies, is still in possession of the
premises.
Nine Malard's claim against the
Springfield fire insurance company for
So 900 was filed yesterday morning, al
though the claimant herself was un-
der the surveillance of the police. 1t is
supposed that the claim was filed by
J. A Bergerot, president of the French
bank, who was in possession OF
duplicate of the inventory of the goods.
The Springfield company, as well as
the six other companies, which had
issued policies varying in amount from
$1,000 TO $500 on the goods, Will re-
fuse absolutely to pay cent of insur-
ance, and a meeting of the companies
will be held this morning TO determine
what action will be taken in the matter.
SEVERE EXAMINATION
Nine Malard and her daughter were
subjected to a severe examination, both
as to her movements from the time
she said she left for Sausalito Satur
day until she was taken in charge by
the police Sunday night, and as to the
amount of goods which were left in
the house at the time of her departure.
The examination was made by Detec-
tives Wren and Riordan. Sergeant Nor
rissey, Z. P. Farnsworth, an adjuster
representing several of the insurance
companies, and H. L. Rolf, local agent
aIo,-
proved to the satisfac action of these Off
GERS that she and her daughter, who
is known as Louise Girod; CASTOR
Clement and Ferdinand Maeson were
in Sausalito at the time of the fire.
Although the premises at 2313 Cali
fornia street consist of two floors, with
eight rooms. all the furniture they
covered chairs and a lounge, and all
that remained Of the diamonds, silks,
fine linens. millinery and gowns which
Nine Malard had insured for $4,000
and which she says were worth $4,000
were 1e hats arranged on display stands
and slightly scorched, and a tailored
gown slightly worn, on dummy in
the window.
The evidences Of incendiarism are
many and f7agrant, according to the
statements of the underwriters and de-
tectives who examined the building.
The fire started in two different places
simultaneously the folding doors
between the two rooms where lounge
had been placed, and in a corner of the
room in the rear, and at both these
places rags soaked with petroleum were
found.
JEWELRY TOO TROUBLESOME
Nine Malard says that the diamonds
and other jewelry, valued at SIS, 600,
were too troublesome TO carry about
with her. and, although she carried in
her satchel seven bulky insurance poll
cies, which, she admits, occupy more
room than the jewels, the latter were
left in the empty rooms. The largest of
the policies was issued by the CONNER
cial Union company and was for $500
This was issued December 2, and all the
others were dated at about the same
time.
George Huer, inspector of the Com
mercial Union, said that he had exam
ined the premises at 1913 California
street shortly after the policy had been
taken, and found everything to be ap-
parently as represented He said he
did not examine the diamonds at close
range and could not have placed valu-
ton on them even had he done So Z.
T. Niebling, manager of the same com
pany. said that at the time Nine. Ma
lard applied for the policy she did not
ask for the usual 80 days for payment,
but insisted upon paying the premium
at once. The policy was placed by J. A.
Bergerot of the French bank.
A meeting of the board OF the under