The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1915-07-01
LETTER FROM
STATE CAPITOL
REPORT OF STATE INSURANCE
COMMISSIONERS SHOWS IN
CREASE IN FIRES.
FIRE BUGS HARD TO CONVICT
Governor Ferris Appeals to People Of
State for Aid for Famine
Stricken Mexicans.
[By Gurd M. Hayes.1

Lansing-The forty-ffth annual re-
port of the state insurance depart
ment, volume one, dealing with the
fire and marine business of the state
was sent to Governor Ferris by State
Insurance Commissioner John T. Win
ship Thursday.
The report shows that the percent
age of fire losses incurred to premiums
received, increased six per cent dur
ing 1914 over the figures Of 1913, and
that the average cost of fire insur-
ance per 500 of coverage dropped
from S1.01 in 1913 to 500 in 1914.
Seven fire and marine insurance
companies authorized to transact
business in the state suspended oper-
atoms in Michigan during 1914 while
II new companies we're given certifi-
Gates Of authority, gain of five COM
panies.
In his report Commissioner Win
ship says that a disappointing feature
of the fire losses in Michigan during
the past year was the per cent Of
losses incurred to net premiums re-
ceived during 1914 which was sc. an
increase of nearly per cent over that
of the previous year, and the highest
in the history of the state since 1898,
when the per cent was ". The COM
missioner refers to the fact that this
increase was evident despite the good
work done during the year by the
state fire marshalPs department.
That the authorities of the state
are handicapped in their task of pros
ecuting fire-bugs is shown in the re-
port, which says the fire bug is a men,
ace to society.
Commissioner Winshjp in his re-
port to the governor says, relative TO
fire-bugs and prosecutions.
There seems to be feeling among
men on the juries which try arson
cases, that the prosecutions are re-
sorted TO in the interest of insurance
companies, and the demagogic pleas
that are made by attorneys for the
defendants to the effect that the in
surance companies are seeking to
avoid payment Of losses, have their
effect, while, as a matter of fact, the
prosecution are criminal in their en-
tirety, and have no relation whatever
to the insurance involved.
1.-THE fire-bug is menace to socie-
ty, and it is only by teaching the peo-
pie who are inclined to destroy the
property of others or their own prop
erty, that they are creating a hazard
that might result in loss of life as well
as property, which must be punished
by severe penalties, that we can ever
hope to lessen the number of crimes.
We have had a number of cases the
past year, where the testimony was
absolutely convincing as to the guilt OF
the parties under arrest, all circum-
stances coinciding with the theory of
their guilt, motive for the crime be-
ing shown, and other convincing proof
except an eye witness to setting the
torch. I'VE have had cases where it
has been proved beyond reasonable
doubt that a slow fuse was employed
to enable the guilty party to get away
from the scene of action, and yet, be-
cause of the lack of an eye witness
to the actual firing with the torch,
conviction failed. We have had two
cases in this state where the trial
Judge expressed his opinion that the
defendants we're guilty, and yet con-
victicns were not obtained; and in
one case, the jury was instructed to
bring in a verdict of not guilty, not
,..stA .t hn n
the court that the defendant was
guilty. Whether these facts are due
to a misapplication of the law, or to
Inadequate law, am not in a position
to say, but l merely call attention to
the fact that we ought to have a more
aroused public sentiment in this state,
against the fire-bug, II we are to es-
cape the awful consequences OF his
acts"
With 232 fire and marine insurance
companies doing business in Michigan
during the past year, the report shows
these companies wrote $943,529,166 in
net risks, received net premiums of
20, 6ya,O OFT, paid net losses of $685.
9O6 and insured net losses of So
341, 294.
Governor Ferris today issued the
following appeal to the citizens OF
Michigan: Through the Department
of state, Washington. ID. c., have re-
ctived important information concern
ing the starving people of Mexico.
Michigan has responded generously to
all calls for food, clothing and money
for the sufferers in Belgium and other
countries sorely stricken by the great
European war. The starving people
OF Mexico are really our neighbors,
and as Governor of Michigan, l feel
that the people of Michigan will re-
spond to the call Beyond a reason
able doubt there is urgent need for
food supplies In Mexico.
s.rrA- .11A ronDlo 0f MfahfOon Qan