Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1919-08-03
ARE TOO
IHOUCHTL.E:SSIN
REGARD FIRES
Local Insurance Man Points Ont
That Public Pays Bill for
All Losses.

That the opinion Of the public gen
orally III regard to fires and fire losses
is reflected by a thoughtless attitude
is the contention Of an insurance man.
re points out the fact that in every
Ire loss, though the property dam
aged may be covered by insurance,
the public pays the bill in increased
insurance tax. George Wells, vice
president Of the Home insurance
agency, has addressed the following
letter to The Graphic:
Editor Graphic:
Your article in Saturdays issue de-
scrlhlng the fire in Finklestein's store
reflects the usual and almost univer-
sal sentiment of unthinking or
} thoughtless people of fires and their
consequence.
on wrote OF the social effect a
community feeling and Everybody
but the owners and occupants of the
! building enjoying it. This may have
been true of most of the spectators
but surely there were few think
ing people present; people who real
ize that they, The Graphic and the
entire population OF Pine Bluff and
! the nation suffer a loss when any
fire occurs. The buildings and con-
tents were insured for enough to pay
| the losses sustained. But who actu-
| ally pays this loss? 1t is the insur-
| ing public, for insurance is no more
than tax which is distributed by the
companies where required.
eve kick about rates either for
getting or ignoring the fact that rates
are based on losses, and that what
ever we may do to prevent fires will
lower the tax to meet the losses.
Insurance companies are target Tor
all politicians, some few newspapers
and a part Of the people. The first:
Because it is good campaign thunder,
the second: Mostly through thought
lessness, the last: Through ignorance
of the purpose and application Of in
surance.
sThe cause of this fire was sup
posed to have been due to a boy and
cigarette: Boy, cigarette, scrap paper
and rubbish: Great combination for
a fire. How many buildings in the
down town section do you suppose
house or are surrounded by the same
condition? Take a look at our alleys
and Railways. Other similar fires
may be prevented by compelling the
occupants and owners to clean up.
The sanitary department OF our city
is a Joke. The insurance agents OF
this city repeatedly call the attention
of the chief of the fire department
or the sanitary officer to such con
ditions as existed in this case. Moth
inc is done and we go merrily along
paving for service we do not receive
The insurance companies cancel then
policies where they find such condl-
tions but they cannot and do not keeE
a man On the job at all times. The
office of sanitary officer should DC
either abolished or the sanitary laws
enforced. If present laws DO moi
cover the case, others should be pass
ed and enforced.
"When the American people come
to realize that any fire is a loss tt
the whole people, and that it is Jones
who paws the freight that every bur
den. either through taxation or care
less and preventable fires, IS pal(
back in increased insurance rates, no
considering the economic loss, thel
thew will enjoy lower rates and
reduced cost of living. You pay par
of my loss, | a part OF yours. l
we prevent loss, we both win.
v" GEO. w. WELLS,
"President
"Home Insurance Agency.