The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-05-16

sections out of the confiagration prob
abilities. In the places OF the 100, 900
population class up to. say, 5000 o
population. rebuilding with ireproof
structures Is not rapid or complete
enough to neutraiize the congestion Of
oombustlble values which IL going on
all the time In American cities. There
fore in the light of past experience
confagrations may be expected peri
odically.
Improvement in water supplies and
fire departments is steadily progress
ing. but their efficiency. 20 II IL stated.
merely diminishes the frequency OF
the large getaway fire which he
comes the confagration whose extent
and duration cannot be curbed by
human agency. but which must burn
itself out and cease from lack Of com
bustible material on which to feed.
As most American cities have d.
visions or limits consisting Of rivers.
lakes or ean harbors confa grations
usually pursue a course Influenced
largely by the direction Of the wind
at the time and end when Q water
barrier is reached.
On the constructive side Of the FIRE
insurance problem emphasis may be
laid on the better understanding by
insurance departments OF the various
States and by State legislators as a
whole Of the economic meaning Of fire
insurance. the collection OF premiums
from the many for payment to the
few. Observation-Disclosures laws. 30
called, have not been IN effect in the
few States adopting them long enough
Z forecast permanent results. but az
they put into statute form the obliga-
tons already understood and practiscd
by the large majority OF fire insurance
men they are useful In restraining the
minority from unsound practices.
Responsibility In Damages.
Individual responsibility has been
definitely fixed in the city of New
York, where the Fire Department. act
ing on behalf OF the city. has re-
covered. both by suit and voluntary
restitution, the expense Of fighting
ires on premises which were not
properly safeguarded after due notice
to the owners. II this sort Of thing
keeps up eventually some OF the pro-
visions Of the Code Napoleon will be
In practical effect in American cities.
and responsibility In damages. and
possibly in person, may become a fixed
rule expressed in State laws or NUM-
cipal ordinances.
Many years ago II could be said
that Ore insurance men were content
10 estimate risks and take premiums
without thought as to the possible re-
duction OF fire waste. Such a charge
would be unfounded to-day. in view
OF the prominence Of Are protection
engineering and technical advice pre-
pared by the companies, both collec-
lively and individually and instilled
into the pubic mind by means OF
ratihg schedules. standards Of con-
structicn.- model building codes. tests
for devices and other means Of d.
minishins fire waste. Lest the policy
| holder should conclude that such &C.
tivities are entirely %altruistic the av-
erage hre underwater does not mind
admitting that ne hopes to make a
larger percentage Of profit even II
not as many dollars on what he calls
good risks L low prices than poor
risks. meaning those with q high de-
gree OF hazard at very much greater
rates.
Highly Scientific B%usiness.
Fire insurance business, especially
In influential un ',rwriting circles. has
become within a few years vastly
more scientific. There Is. they say
undoubtedly a healthy growth in the
modern tendencies. most OF which are
] not as much based upon the compel.