Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-02-03
STATE MEETING
Asso'n. Mutual Fire In
surance Companies


Insurance Commissions Smith 10
Feature Of the Days ssssien-Re.
ports Presented and Officers Elected
The Maine Association Of Mutual
Fire Insurance Companies opened is
annual two days convention IN this
city Wednesday at the 2. NJ. G. A.
building on Winthrop street. The drst
meeting opened in the Assembly hall
at $50 o'clock with President L. E.
futile Of Caribou presiding. General
routine work consisting Of the OFF,
GERS reports and general reports Of
companies were taken up. followed by
an address given by State Insurance
Commissioner G. Walden Smith. and
closing with the election Of officers.
Commissioner Smith in opening his
address spoke feelingly Of the tragic
event in the death Of Names Governor.
He then said Because Of the great
economic situation Of this UNIVERSAL
study which is such an important fac
! tor even in this hour, I join with those
before me in this work looking to-
ward the expansion of a great cause
Commissioner Smith said that he was
proud of the showing made by do
nestle mutual fire insurance compa-
MES and found a very healthy growth
and financial standing of the highest
order. Claims were being very prompt
ly paid and in every way business of
State was being sufficiently and hon
estly administered: He urged greater
activity in their canvass of risks. say
ing that too many were absolutely
unprovided for and unprotected. Too
many tragedies of real suffering ex-
listed when the blaze had lowered and
| the flames cleared away on many a
Maite home or place of business. 1t
is clearly your duty. gentlemen, to see
that you have the right vision in ex-
tending benefcence of fire insurance
protection" he said.
The commissioner urged additional
assessments for creating separate
funds to meet the payment Of small
claims and thus stopping the business
of borrowed money which has so fire.
quently appeared among the liabili-
ties of first class companies. In al
luding to fire protection he said;
DE we refrain from stealing because
of the laws, or because of enlightened
comprehension and senses of moral
duty? Must fire prevention depend
solely on laws and their enforcement?
Or shall there be higher plane.
loftier conception Of the human side,
a sense of duty. an awakening to the
truth that laws unsupported by SEN
timent and spirit are dead, cumber-
some obstacles?
1--WE have many. many laws for fire
bred and sixty million dollars worth
of property was destroyed by fire, of
which so per cent. was preventable.
Think of the lives needlessly lost.
Isn't here unquestionable proof that in
some degree our laws enacted for this
purpose are dead, litter on the books?
ITO what shall this be attributed?
Why should not every decent human
being have in his heart and mind the
human obligation owed, each to each,
and be quick to respond to it? Why
should we have seemingly forgotten the
aversion commonly felt toward the in
cendiary Why should there be jest
about such serious matter? Surely
should profit US to read what Names
commissioner had to say before the Fire
Narshals Association of North America
at a recent meeting in New York. The
high plane he presented elected com
mendation of those present who have
had long experience with the great and
| threatening problem of fire prevention.
The need of a broader and quickened
vision Is unmistakable and it would
seem that there is obligation on both
the fire insurance interests and the pub
/ lie to respond in a cooperative spirit"
In conclusion. Commissioner Smith
said that during the years 1915 to 1919
the fire losses of the country were ST.
| 1885, equal to destruction of 2S3,275
; homes valued at 5000 each. There is
no question in my mind, he said, but
that Is per cent. Of fires occurring in
Maine were the result of pure negli-
gence and persons thus responsible
should be made to pay the cost" In
closing he pointed out to the conven-
ton that the Bible sustains the prin-
ciples of personal liability. He quoted:
If fire breaks out and catcherf: n
thorns so that stalks of corn be con-
sumed, he that kindleth the fire shall
surely, make restitution" Exodus: 22nd
Chapter. 9Th verse.
The officers elected were: President.
Hon. l.. E. futile of Caribou; vice
president. T, F. Millett of Gorham; sec
rotary. Ernest T. McGualflin, Portland:
and treasurer, q. w. Richardson of
West Paris.