The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-05-09
I'm the Insurance field

a story OF much interest, going back
TO the time when fire insurance was in
its very infancy in the United States. Is
now before congress represented by house
bill 22.53a. providing for an appropria-
ton OF Ss1o, 900 for distribution among
claimants under the French Spoiation
awards The passage of the bill means
much for two insurance companies, viz:
The Insurance Company of the State of
Pennsylvania. which Is claimant to S3l5,-
600, and the Insurance Company OF North
America, claimant to $500, 900. The claims
originated In 1898. all having been set
tied with the exception OF these two
fire insurance concerns the oldest OF
In 177S the United States and France
entered Into treaty by the Terms OF
France all the necessary aid In the fight
for Independence In return for which the
United States guaranteed TO France hor
possession of tho West Indies and sup
port In any future war she might have
with Great Britain or other continental
powers.
In 1898. after the independence of the
United States had been secured. France
became involved in war with the mother
country and called upon Uncle Sam for
assistance. This country was unable to
render any whereupon the French seized
and confscated American vessels and
cargoes wherever they could find them
upon the high seas. Claims were after
wards presented by the United States to
tho French government. but tho latter
refused payment on the ground that the
United States had failed TO keep its OBJ
LEGATION under the treaty OF 177S. In July,
$500. a new treaty was made between
the two governments. by which France
was relieved OF the demand TO reimburse
the citizens whose vessels and cargoes
had been seized and confiscated by the
French sailors, and the United States
was released from all claim for the al
legged leg violation x. Of its obligations through
made by the United States upon the
French government for reimbursement Of
these spoliatlon claims. Tho citizens
II was held that the United States by
Its treaty OF 1900 bartered away the
claims OF private citizens to secure i'm
munity from its own obligations under
the treaty OF 1878. This ruling made the
government responsible and all claims
were paid in full. with the exception af
named, who paid their losses to the pol
icyholders about 115 years ago. Presi-
dent Scattergood OF the Insurance Com
pany Of the State Pennsylvania has ap-
peared before the Congressional commit.
tee. and lie reports that there is good
reason for believing that the bin will pass
before congress adjourns.
Policies for almost half million dol
lars are involved I'm the recent death Of
Joseph Delmal, a rich furniture manu-
lecturer: president OF the Natural Parlor
FURNITURE company, Chicago. The fact
that he was found dead under peculiar
circumstances and that S3i5,000 WAS
taken out In February and March Of the
present year. has raised the question of
suicide and the companies are making a
careful investigation of the case. MIR.
Deimel died April 26, after being run over
by Rock Island train at Blue Island,
His business was IN a prosperous condi-
ton and the fact that he was solicited
Tor the Insurance taken and refused Of
iers OF more Indemnity than he eventual
ly took. removes suspicion for the most
part that his death was anything but
accidental The companies Interested in
the Investigation are the Mutual Life Of
New York. the New York Life. tho Pom
Mutual Life OF Philadelphia, the Equit-
able of New York and the Northwest
ern Mutual of Milwaukee, Wis.
An amusing controversy las arisen
among the insurance men OF the east on
the question. why is II that police
men are always stout and healthy look
Ing. while 1remen are usually thin and
friend to the policeman. said that the
minions OF the law had nothing to do
but TO stand in doorways and on street
corners waving their clubs" while the
meal or while in their cots asleep. were
rushed Off to subdue fires. This unique
argument won the debate.
One of Salt Lakes finest" upon being
told OF the incident. had this TO say:
That's all humbug and tommyrot. we
fellows on the police force 90 through n
regular system OF exercise which makes
us healthy and strong like pugilists. while
those chaps In the fire department have
nuthtn to do but 10 SIT around all day;
and what's the result? Why, they get
thin and gradually pine away, OF course.
Or. Joseph Milleron. the civil war vet
eran who was recently killed in Parley's
canyon, through the accidental discharge
Of shotgun. carried Il $4,000 accident pol
ley In one Of the accident compares do
ing business In Utah. with headquarters
In Salt Lake City. The claim has been
duly approved by the companys examjn-
er who strange TO relate. arrived in the
city from San Francisco the day the IA
talty occurred.
The Insurance committee of the New