The McDowell times. [volume] (Keystone, W. Va.) 1904-1941, 1916-04-14

eductlOn OF nre waste
IL works In conjunction with local
'-hcials throughout the State. and has
ryeral expert representatives who aru
Dntinually 1t work. either In the In
lection OF buildings. with q view 70
iucing the IRE hazard o. In investi-
ting suspicious fires. with the object
prosecuting those who may be
Utility OF arson CT incendiarism- II Il
'ntinually engaged in educational
ork along IRE prevention lines. A
;rong effort Is being made to
ring before the individual prop
'rty owner. as well as the ofncials
he principal causes OF fires. 90 that
hey may be Influenced to guard
'gainst this ever present danger,
which a few simple precautions will
'ften minimize. This work is already
earring fruit in reduced losses. and In
educed fire Insurance rates-it Is the
,reat remedy for high rates.
This department Il supported BY
means OF . special tar on the Ore In
trance companies. levied for this one
purpose. hence its establishment
laced no additional burdens on the
tate.
Insurance Department.
IN order that the MAGNITUDE and I'm
'ortance OF this department may be
'roperiy appreciated. I desire to direct
'our attention to the following facts /:
IL has supervision over three thou
sand agents
II has supervision over three hun
ired and fifty companies. whose com
lined assets are nearly six thousand
millions of dollars.
The citizens OF West Virginia hold
Ire Insurance policies for four hundred
million dollars. life insurance policies
or one hundred and seventy five mil
lon dollars. fraternal benefit certif
ates for forty million dollars and mil
.ons OF dollars Ia miscellaneous lines
II Insurance
The premiums collected from West
irginia by companies OF all classet
~ nine millions OF dollars per year
The losses paid West Virginia citi
ems are four million dollars per year
The taxes and fees collected by tn.
.surance Department are two hundre,
ID forty thousand dollars per year
hich goes into the State Treasury.
All the amounts involved are stead
increasing. yet the total expense
only 100000 per year.
Protecting Policy hoidera
Nearly every citizen Is interested
lnGnraUna AifhAr kal -
snefc'ary. The provision for de
ndents made by the wage Garner O
day. often through the sacrifice O
,mfort and pleasure. will have an Inn
ortant influence CT the destinies o
eneratfons yet unborn. This pro
sion may mean the difference be
seen poverty and plenty. between
'ucation and ignorance. between
line and good citizenship.
low very Important then Is this de
.tment. which is charged with tn,
sulation and supervision OF insur
ce companies and matters pertain
to insurance. Not only must Ii.
.icyhoiders OF the present genera
\ be protected from fraudulent
AK and insolvent companies, bu
future must be SO guarded that thu
ferrous sacrifice OF the family's pro
ctor will be not In vain-when thu
I'm natures. IL must be paid.
rs II Is a practical impossibility 4
aw laws with sufficient exactness u
YER every point that may arise under
constantly changing conditions N
field OF insurance. the Insurance.
commissioner has been given large
erection. which OF course. carrie,
IN IL the corresponding responsible
that comes with discretionar,
wers- The Insurance Department,
aid be- run with little difficulty should
Commissioner be content to &C
erely In a clerical capacity-to gran
ch licenses as are requested and u
low the path OF least resistance
neraily. In fact. to do more requires
only knowledge. but Q steadfas
sire and determination to APPROX,
Iy that which Is for the publit
cd And this Is what we have con
tently striven for. often In the facs
the venomous opposition an<
eats OF those whose fraudulent o,
afe propositions have not beer
proved
Detecting Weakness
Our first object L. 10 bar from N,
fste-to refuse license to-cou
MES that are not financially respop
10 or which do not conduct thef
'siness along proper lines. r,
entity such companies require,
'hnicai knowledge and experiences
order to properly snalyze the affair,
the company and get a clear under
1ding OF fts financial condition. cos
- and methods OF doing business
a company already licensed b
% show signs Of weakness q
per dealing. knovledge H. IKE
required TO detect these signs AM
= appropriate acton for the prs
OF its West Virginia policy
srs.
examination Of complaints q
iim settlements T. also an In
M function; to obtain for policy
- what they are legally An
lily entitled 10. and In other IN
- to avoid injustice to the con
- Often Q delicate undertaking.
! Of thsso thfnes are a part o. tn
work - are done without nots>
dvertiseDent. A. the policyholA