The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1909-06-21

The life insurance now in force,
which has been written by the old line
insurance companies or the fraternal
beneficiary associations In the city of
Fargo, alone amounts to nearly
s5O.0OO,o0O The number of policies
now In force, which have been issued
by both the old line OF fraternal or
ganizationa, is 27,OsS, while these orr
ganixations have written over $4,000, :
600 worth OF insurance during the past
year. there having been about 5000
policies issued during the past twelve
months.
This takes In only the actual busi-
ness which has been done by the old
line life insurance companies and the
fraternities doing an insurance busi-
hess. through their Fargo offices. OF
this amount old line companies have
approximately $2s,6sS,47 worth of in
BurRnce In force with about 1900
policies still valid. They have in the
past twelve months written policies
to the amount of $s,83T,8T4, issuing
approximately 2.s45 policies during
that time.
The fraternities also show up well
with something like $1T.912.593 worth
of insurance in force, represented by
1891 policies paid up and valid These
organizations issued during the past
year approximately 2.289 policies
representing insurance 20 the amount
OF $2,S17,72O.
These figures while conservative
show what an immense business these
institutions are doing and what they
60 ENo Ay,a foI nAnr
Most II not all of this money, is
handled through the banks OF the city.
They maintain good offices here and
employ large forces OF men who live
mostly within the state OF North
Dakota and q large number OF these
In Fargo.
While the mortality in North Dakota
is small in comparison with other
commonwealths--it still being a young
state-these insurance companies and
fraternities have paid during the past
year several hundreds OF thousands OF
dollars in death claims-increasing
their value to the state. There are
about sixteen life insurance companies
and twenty-five fraternal organiza-
tions, insuring their members. doing
business in Fargo at the present time.
Life Insurance a Duty.
At first glance it would seem that
the amount paid by the people of North
Dakota for life insurance is very great
IA paying for something for which
there is no return. But when it is
possible to look into bereft homes-one
where there is no insurance and one
where there has been provision made
for the care OF the survivors-one
would undoubtedly be tempted to go
out Immediately and increase his in
surance. There is also no doubt but
that insurance companies and insur-
ance fraternities benefit community
and a commonwealth.
The late great devine, r. Dewitt
Talmage, In one of his famous ser
mons dealt with life Insurance. He
said that IL was OF divine origin. He
said In part:
I'VE are told that Rev. DIR. Anhate
of Lincolnshire. England originated
the first life insurance company in
1898. N; 1t is as old as the corn cribs
Of Egypt, and God himself was the
author and originator. If that were
not so I would not take your time and
mine in Sabbath discussion Of this
subject; feel 1t is theme vital,
religious, and of infinite import--the
morals OF life and fire insurance. 1t
seems to me that Is time for the pulpit
to speak out. But what does the Bible
say in regard to this subject2 II the
Bible favors the institution, will
favor It; If the Bible denounces 1t, !
will denounce 1t. In addition to the
forecast OF Joseph in the text, I call
to your attention Pauls comparison.