Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-06-30
DIR TERRIBLE FIRE WASTE,

UUN I6NNIOLc tHlI VNSISt
Whenever attention is drawn by
serious fire loss We are appalled, by
contemplation OF the fire statistics Of
this country:
losses in the United States and Canada
for 1911 viii exceed s260,000,000 The
figures for the first four months of the
year show total OF SS7,577,0Oo, as
compared with s67,222,loo during the
same period last year The losses for
1910 were s234,40665o. and if the pres
ent ratio of increase continues thru
out the year, the 1911 losses may APP
proach $500, 000, 900 This Will exceed
any year in the history OF the country
except those OF the San Francisco and
Baltimore CONGREGATIONS.
Nor do these stupedrous figures tell
the whole story of loss by fire for to
them must De added another huge sum
20 take care OF the cost and mainte1-
ance Of fire departments. In fact the
total sum can never be estimated even
approximately for loss OF lie and at
tendant expenses must be taken into
consideration and the task becomes too
complicated for human intelligence
That constantly increasing fire losses
are becoming a serious menace to the
continued existence of our insurance
companies is shown by the statement
that fifteen stock companies and many
more mutuals retired from the field
in 1910 and six quit during the first
month OF the present year.
Comparison Of the percapita of fire
loss in the United States with that
OF European countries shows greatly TO
our disadvantage. In Europe the an
nual sum is but SO cents: here it is
s2.51 or almost eight times that am cunt.
Less carelessness. increased response
bility and better construction abroad
account for the difference.
The so,0o0,00o people in America use
as many matches as the 900 100000 in
the rest OF the world. This supports
vasteful and exIravaGanc nation in the
world, and accounts in a large measure
for the enormous fire waste Of the
country. In Europe matches are found
only in their proper places and the
darngeous kinds are usually forbidden
| by law. In this country they are sown
broadcast. and are found il the pockets
and Innings Of old clothing, scattered
about in desk and bureau drawers,
abound in every accumulation Of rub
bish and are SO careIessly thrown about
that rats and mice have adopted them
as standard article for nest building.
being always sure of an available
supply.
When an insured building is burned
in this country the insurance company
must either show that the insured had
a hand in the burning or else pay the
indemnity. In Germany, for instance.
where fire losses are only one-tentn
the law is brought into operation and
an exhaustive attempt is made 70 fix
the responsibility OF the diaster
We pay too little attention TO fire
prooing in the erection of our bui!ding s.
Wooden shingles on roofs for example,
will always constitute a fire menace.
So far as exposure fires are concerned,
the one feature Of the building which
most needs protection is the roof. as
flying brands or sparks are not likely
% lodge anywhere else. 1t would be
better II all buildings We're constructed
OF nom com bustible materials, but If
the frames or walls must be Of wood
therefor at least should be fire proof
| Lighter forms Of tile are now being
produced, cement and asbestos shingles
are growing in favor and while their
first cost is greater than wooden
shingles, their much greater permanent
cy. the immunity from fire danger and
the reduction in insurance cost should
encourage their more general use
! Our present fire waste is enormously
excessive and in this day Of progress
and enlightenment il is inexcusaf,le.
It's reduction should be made an i'm
| portanr part Of the campaign for the
conservation of national resources