Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1912-10-17

~.
ease In late years have been sub
ordinated to the methods Of pre-
venting them. Medical science and
research is devoted principally g
prevent the spread Of contagious
disease. and millions Of money !.
being spent in this country to pro-
tect the public from tuberculosis
and other dread diseases. There
n was never truer adage written
than "an ounce OF prevention 4
worth pound Of cure" This APP
plies with double force to the sub
ject OF fire Insurance.
The system OF conducting the
commerce of this country makes this
insurance imperative; It Is the basis
81 which credit may be extended in
Ali matters Of trade and conatrue-
ton. II 1t were not that the retail
merchant could carry fire Insurance.
I his line Of credit would be greatly
impaired. II the man with the
small dwelling could not get fire
insurance, he could not obtain the
mortgage that he needs TO assist
him in paying for the building Of
che same. In many other ways fire
insurance is absolutely essential to
preserve the credits and values OF
commerce.
4 W
There should be an effort on the
part OF every man who pays q prem
iiin on fire insurance policy 70
come to better understanding Of
the conditions surrounding the fire
insurance business. In times past
many insurers have taken the ground
that their interests are inimical to
the company insuring them. There
has been lack of harmonious feel
ing which should never have existed
Geo. Fitch aptly says Fires are
caused BY oYerheated chimneys,
spontaneous combustion, cigarettes;
crossed wires, exploding stoves and.
poor business. When a building be-
comes feverish from any of these
causes, the fire department is in
stantIy called, and 1t adds to the
horror by squirting water on the
piano, hardwood floors and the
cook. America has the most tai
ented and resourcefui water squirt
ers in the world, which is only nat
ural, however. because they have
three times as many fires to prac-l
tices ON as the firemen Of any other
country"
National prosperity is seriously
threatened by the enormous fire
waste Of the country, most Of which
is unnecessary and easily prevent
able. The fire losses in the United
states and Canada for 1910 were 8
s234.47O,65O, The annual cost OF
the fire waste was increased to near
nv d halt billion by the municipal
and private expenditures this enor-
nous loss makes necessary in the /,
way Of fire departments, water sup
My for fire-fighting purposes. pro-
tective devices and the excess cost /
Of Insurance over loss payments. I,
The drain upon the national wealth
made BY the $3.50. OOO,OOO.OO prop
efty loss al san Francisco in 1905
was partly responsible for the panic
III 1907 and the depression which
has since existed. The steady annual
drain. even in years which escape
great conflagrations, would ruin any
country without the wonderful VI
tally and natural resources Of the J
United States. II this drain can be |
checked it will do more to increase j
the strength and prosperity Of the |
country than any other reform that
is possible by legislation or popular g
action. Law makers should do all
ii their power to reduce this fire /
waste, by encouraging better con. !
struction and protection, establish 1
ing and STRENGTHENING fire marshal
departments, and developing public :
sentiment in favor Of Increased per- t
sonaI responsibility for the causes q
Of fires and greater care in the pro- 8
lection OF property Il
The enormous fire waste Is weak :
sning the insurance capital Of the :
country, which shrinks as the losses !,
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