Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-04-30
Com. Spencer
Issues Word on
Fire Prevention

Insurance Commissioner Wilbur
ID. Spencer in a statement Thursday
said that Maine fire losses are rep
resented, like those of the entire
country in dollars and cents, and few
people realize that in the last 10
years the costs of Replacement are
responsible for the apparent In
crease in these figures.
while fire prevention Is more a
subject of concern than ever and
salvage of property is greater, the
figures of replacement constantly
mount" continued Commissioner
Spencer.
For instance, in Maine in 1915
the number of fires reported to the
insurance department was 2677 and
in 1925 this number was 2657, or
twenty less than ten years ago, but
the losses in American dollars IN
1915 were $2,2S7,SS2.03 and similar
losses in 1925, by the same none
tary standard, were Sash, 531.63, or
an increase in percentage of slightly
over 5000.
This means that, in spite of our
improved methods for fighting fires
and the admirable efficiency of some
| of our modern fire departments in
supp NoSiIlS illltlclA III tS anu llIllIl-
| ing losses in advanced cases, the
value of the American dollar in
terms of replacement is only fifty
cents as compared with it's pur-
chasing power of sixty eight cents
| in other relations.
when the amount of risks in
| force in 1915, reported at $2S7,554, =
| 665.42, is compared with the risks
written in 1925, amounting to $685.
| 344,21704, the reduction in the fire
| losses in terms of destructible extent
compared with the increased area
| of hazard Is more than 10000.
! Furthermore, according to the
census reports of the last decades
the number of rural dwellings, In
Maine decreased more than 5000
increased more than twice that
number. which has brought new
construction in the, state within the
protected areas and decreased the
fire hazards on that amount of in
surable property.
"All things considered conditions
in the fire field in Maine during the
/ last year have improved ap-
preciably: new departments have
/ been organized. chemical trucks
| have been added to their apparatus
| ana lhelr members nave been
especially trained in some munich
palities; but the natural careless
ness of individuals still continues
and the fire load is heavy from any
angle of the observer
The following shows the business
done during the past year in fire in
srance by stock companies of other
ates, mutual companies of other
S safes, United States branches of
companies of foreign countries and
Maine mutual companies:
! Stock companies of other states
/ Net risks written. s338,761, 261 90;
| net premiums received, S4,7S7,S3SSS:
net losses paid, $2,S63, 913.0S; net
losses incurred, $2,7O7,23S.94.
Mutual Companies of other states
Net risks written. 1892, 134, 92265;
net premiums received, s1,229, 790.04;
net losses paid, s4S6,0S1.47; net
losses incurred, $462,910.S3.
| United States branches Of COM
panies of foreign countries-Net
risks written, s75,279.15900; net
! premiums received, 1886, 51427; net
losses paid, $59O,S49.73: net losses
incurred, $3.50, 344.2S.
Maine mutual cpmpanies-Risks
written, s30,947,961.33: cash prem
iums. assessments and policy fees
received, $549,479.4S; losses paid,
$379,852.12; losses incurred, $685.
4S0.70.