Evening star., 1918-12-02

u
lumbia was granted and one filed
against the District was denied.
In the District Court twelve petit
tions for the condemnation Of land for
Of condemnation were confirmed and
twenty-eight cases remain undis-
posed of.
In the Municipal Court three new
suits were filed against the District OF
Columbia, and twenty-two cases were
this court were won and hve lost by
the District of Columbia, three cases
were dismissed, two settled and six
= teen are now pending.
ments were had. Two hundred and
sixty-nine cases were contested. and
sixteen were decided in favor OF the
contestants.
In the Juvenile Court 2:oss info,ma-
| ttons were field and $47,76762 collect
/ ed for deserted families.
Twenty-Five thousand and twenty
one tnformations were nled against
Offenders in the Police Court, ana nnes
aggregating s150.S74.34 were collected
l
sisted of the approval of BAT bonds.
E203 contracts and the preparation of
1875 written opinions. One hundred and
nine damage claims were reported
and approved. "A great many other
opinions were given orally to the
theads of departments and officials, and
a large number of consultations had
of which no record is kept.
"A representative Of this Office pre-
sided at all of the hearings before the
police and firemen's retiring and relief
board
| The Commissioners recommend the
enactment Of a special statute Of no
jury cases. such as exists in other
cities. Such law works no injustice
| to the persons injured. and will result
in the saving of many dollars to the
District of Columbia.
Superintendent Of Insurance.
The total insurance premiums paid
in the District Of Columbia for the
]year 1917 amounted to $9.236, 6,367.33;
the total losses paid to $3.292.105.82,
which was a decrease Of $49.e06.57 in
/ the amount of losses paid during that
| period, and an increase Of 1885. .s2s.57
1 in premiums. These premiums and
losses are classified as follows:;
Life ............. 50. 4e1. 1891 $27e7. 1885, q
Fire and marine I2ss. .a1sds 1s 5ss a.. 4 g g
The average ratio Of fire losses to
premiums for the sixteen years from
t1902 to 1917, both included. has been
lisa $40 per cent. The ratio for 1917
was only 15 LIS per cent of the premi-
ums. which is lower than that of any
state in the Union for that year.
/ BY adding to the 33 $40 per cent
loss ratio. the average expense ratio
fof 36.42 per cent for all stock compa-
MES in the United States. for 81 years
Ian Underwriting profit of 80 per cent
|appears..
| During the 81 years from 1880 tc
1916 the ratio of loss to premiums was
l37 6-10 per cent, which was lower thar
that of any state except Wyoming.
BY adding to the 81 CLIO per cent
loss ratio the average expense ratio
of 36.42 per cent. or total Of approx.
1 imately "a per cent, any underwriting
profit of approximately 26 per cent II
shown.
From these exhibits it appears tha'
the District of Columbia is probably
q more profitable field for the fire in
surance companies, under present con-
ditions, than any state in the Union.
T. The superintendent of insurance ex'
presses the opinion that the recen
advance OF 10 per cent for risks ii
respect to burglary and theft WIS en-
tirely unwarranted in view of the fac
that the ratio of losses to premium.
for the 16-year period from 1902 tt
1917, both included, was Is 6-10 pei
cent, and that a liberal allowance fol
average expense ratio would be so pei
cent, from which it appears that the
companies engaged in that class OF
business make an underwriting profit
of approximately 35 per cent.
j. With respect to the automobile liza.
bility insurance business it appears
4 that the loss ratio was 80 2-10 pei
:! cent for the 5-year period from 191:
to 1917, both included. for all liability
business, and that If SO per cent be
allowed for expenses it will have ar
approximate underwriting profit of 2t
iper cent; indicating that the surcharge
OF 10 per cent proposed by companies
doing such business in the District OF
Columbia was absolutely unnecessary
The amount Of insurance, exclusive
Of casualty insurance. written during
the year was $1,75O,S64.246.55.
The assets of all insurance companies
and associations transacting business
in the District Of Columbia on Decem
her 81, 1917, amounted to $6,633, ,495,-
243.51: their liabilities s5,541, ,036, 1876. II
and their surplus including capital
| S1.1S2, Ass. .O5S.40.
| The collections during 1917 were. TO,
license fees s20,322. and for taxes
$101, ,536.53, as follows:
From companies and associations. STATS. 81
From principal agents. s............ l0.87O 81