Bemidji Daily Pioneer Newspaper, March 22, 1912, Page 1

| THE BEMIDJI AILY P10 Vo | s MINNEROTA | VOLUME 9. NUMBER 277. BEMIDJI, MINNESOTA, FRIDAY EVENING, MARCH 22, 1912. TEN CENTS PER WEEK. FIRE PREVENTION IS CONSERVATION J. L. King Points Out That Failures To Control Blazes Means a Double -Loss. A BIG WASTE EACH WEEK Churches, Theaters, Schools, Hospi- tals, Colleges, Stores and Resi- dences Destroyed. MINNESOTA AVERAGE HIGH Figures $3.50 Per Capita in Compar- ison With $2.50 For The United States. Mr. President and Gentiemen: We are here tonight wholly in the interest of conservation, that sub- ject which has engaged the atten- tion of the ablest minds in this coun- try during the past five years. It is recognized that no subject before the American people today is of such paramount importance as this. In fact, the progress and intelligence of a community may be measured by the interest taken in this subject. Certainly no phase of the question is of such vast importance as that of conserving the created wealth of our people, the fruits of industry and toil, ek Conservation is not a new subject among fire insurance men. For many years insurance men have individual- ly preached the gospel of conserva- tion. Their failure as individuals to linpress upon the people the import- ance of the question has led to the formation of associations having the same end in view. It is our purpose to concentrate our efforts and by uniting strive to accomplish that which we have failed to do as indi- viduals. The Minnesota State Fire Prevention association is but one of many of such organizations, the par- ent of them all is the National Fire Prevention association. Of the work of this most valuable organization the general public has very little if any knowledge, and I venture to say up to the present moment no appre- ciation. It is a fact that this organi- zation has been a powerful agency in the matter of raising our standards of construction as well as in the en- actment of laws and ordinances which relate to the safeguarding of lives and property dgainst the danger of fire. Through the active work of the .Minnesota State Fire Prevention association the property owner secures expert inspection of his premises and the pointing out of hazardous conditions that possibly he or she might otherwise through thoughtlessness fail to take into ac- count. During our sojourn among you it has been our purpose to care- fully inspect each store, warehouse and factory with a view to the dis-j covery and remedy of ali dangerous conditions. This work hag been taithfully and conscientiously per- formed, and we trust that when you have received a letter of notification calling your attention to conditions in or about your premises, you will co-operate with, us by giving the matter your very prompt attention, and advising our secretary that you have done so. Fire is defined as being the evolu- tion of heat and light by combus- tion. It is not necessary for our purpose to enter upon a scientific discussion as to the origin of heat, suffice it to say that we have ample knowledge of its effect. Fire in its various manifestations has from time immemorial been a phenomenon that has caused the - stoutest heart -to quail, and well may it be so, because the visitation of a great fire leaves. in its wake a record of death, deso- lation, and destruction -almost inde- scribable. A large part of the misery resultant from one of these great fires, the world at large never hears of. Fire or heat, as made use of for domestic, scientific and industrial purposes, is as. essential as the air we breathe. .Its use enters into the manufacture and. production of al- most all that we wear in the shape (Continued on last pag?) e i i R eREy| CURRENT EVENTS. @| @@@@-@@@@@@@@@‘@@] © Paper Changes Owners. B. C. Kiley, of Deer River, has bought the Deer River Times from Ed. E. Tankersly. Simpson Sells Horses. Bena, March 22.—Sam Simpson yesterday sold 150 head of horses to Barrett and Zimmerman of St. Paul. 1t is said that the purchase price was close to $27,000. Women May Decide the Issue Santa Cruz, Cal.,, March 22:—Ar- rangements have been completed for the holding of a speclal election in this.city tomorrow to vote on the ex- penditure of $120,000 for school im- provements. More than ordinary in- terest attaches to the election, as women will be qualified to vote for the first time here. The registra- tion of the fair sex is heavy and the result of the election probably will depend on their judgment, » ! Hearing on lowa Rates. ‘Washington, D. C., March 22.— The so-called Iowa rate cases, which have been pending before the Inter- state Commerce Commission for a long time, came up for hearing to- day before that body. The com- plaints were fileq against several of the large western railroads by the state of Towa and ¢ommercial organ- izations of Cedar Rapids, Fort Dodge and several other cities. The com- plainants allege that the present freight rates on interstate shipments to and from Iowa points are unjust and unreasonable as compared with the rates existing in other sections of the country. » Blackduck Man Wins. Blackduck, March 22.-—Senator A. W. Sanborn of Ashland, Wis., acting as state examiner for the Wisconsin Industrial commission, today decreed that the Mellen Lumber company should pay Wm. H. Winter of Black- duck, Minn., $180 a year for the next 15. years, making a total of $2,700. This is the first time since the new workingmen’s compensation law took effect that a company has been held responsible during a series of years for an employe’s loss of earning abil- ity. Winter was employed by the com- pany as a shingle sawyer at Shane Golden, and in an accident lost the index finger and thumb of his left hand. Fight for Missouri Governorship. Jefterson City, Mo., March 22.— What promises to be the hottest gu- bernatorial battle - that Missouri Democrats have waged in years will be launched in earnest tomorrow, when Elliott W. Major, attorney gen- eral, will formally open his cam- paign for the nomination for gover- nor in ‘an address before the “Major for Governor” Club, in De Soto. Major plar;s to make a vigorous fight to head the Democratic ticket. He has already formed strong political alliances in every county, his friends say. and they believe he will be able to win the fight. Major will be opposed by Senator Stone and practically all of the old machine leaders. The latter have picked up former Congressman Will- iam S. Cowherd of Kansas City as their choice for governor. Cowherd {was the Democratic nominee in 1908, but was defeated by Governor Had- ley. Shotly Wedding. Ethel Victoria, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ben Anderson of Shot- ly, was married to Andrew Gustaf Sandberg at the home of the bride's parents last week. The ceremony took place at five o’clock Saturday evening, March 16, Rev. John H. Randahl of Bemidji officiating. - The bride’s sister, Miss Sinnea, acted as maid of honor, and Miss Esther Ol- son as bridesmaid. The best man was Anton Nordwall and the grooms- man, Willie Sjolund. The bride wore a dainty dress of white silk linen and lace net. The rooms were prettily decorated in green and white. 8ixty guests sat down to the THE APRIL FOOL! Y74 WHY SHOULD WE (| PREVENT FIRES ? That's what your neighbors will say April when in advance. Qur new rates save you 25 per I _cent. No papers delivered after this date unless your paper is paid for in advance, In Which He Sets Forth How Prem- | knockers. iums Are Divided Into Losses and Expenses. HOW CAN FIRES BE AVOIDED? Mr. King has been telling you about the enormous fire waste in this country and this naturally brings.up the question as to what effect this has had and is having upon the in- surance companies and upon you gen- tlemen, property owners, who carry insurance. Being busy men, fully occupied with your own immediate affairs, you have probably given lit- tle or no thought to the matter ex- cept to complain about your rate the same as you do about your gas and electric light bills and taxes without considering what is responsible for that rate and when property in your city was destroyed and the owners thereof were insured, you have prob- ably said it was the company’s fun- eral and not yours. This is a sad mistake. panies must naturally secure the nec- essary funds to continue paying out the enormous sums required for fire losses anq of course they come from SPEECH BY MR. COLBURN YZA\N DO IT NOW POPOORVOOOOOOPOPS ® TFacts Worth Remembering. ¢ (PPOOORCOOVPROOO®® Dirty streets and alleys are city Clean stieets and alleys are .eity boosters. - The total fire loss in Minnesota for 1911 was $5,400,000, or 62 per cent of all premiums collected. * In Ohio, the loss for ten years of 1900 to 1910 averaged $14,000,000 per year. This loss was cut in 1910 to $6,000,000. . Causes of the majority of Minne- sota fires: matches, rubbish, stor- age of explosives in unsafe places, lack of attention to heating appara- tus, poor electric wiring, candles and lamps left in basements, and incen- diarism. § [ For every $100 collected in insur- ance premiums, the primary expenses are: commissions, $21.50; taxes, $2.65; rating expenses, $1.35; oth- er expenses, $13.00. This leaves $61.50 left for paying fire losses. When the loss is more, the compa- Inies lose, when less, they profit. - The yearly loss in Minnesota in The com-|1910 was 60.1 per cent of all the premiums collected, making the com- panies lose money on this state. In 1911, the loss was 50.5 per cent of the premiums, leaving a slight gain, the insuring public in the shape of|Put the average for the two years premiums. Tt is plain to be seen was a loss. This was stood by peo- therefore, that when your ‘neighbor|Ple in other states. burns out you help pay the loss, the companies being simply the means of | writing insurance and inasmuch as distribution. received must come in addition to Out of the premiums!the money paid to him for services is left right in your city, we can hard- losses, the expense of conducting the|ly attach any criticism to this item. business, taxes exacted by the state, only a small portion of which is ex-|cent The other expenses averaging 17 per cannot be dispensed with al- pended in maintaining the insurance|though in my opinion taxes to the department, and enough of the prem-|state should not at most exceed the jum income should be left over to|actual cost of maintaining the insur- provide an adequate surplus for the|ance department because, in the end protection of policy holders. The | the insuring public and not the com- principal items which constitute the|panies pay the tax. total of expenses are as follows: Commissions . . eeees 2150 Taxes « «oeeees Rating expenses ..,.¢e0 Some State ang City Figures. I am not going to bore you with a lot of national statistics showing .. 2,66 v 136 Other €XPenses .....,.......13.00|the results of the operations of the Total . ........e0vn . ..38.60 insurance companies-and the lack of underwriting profit, but believe you Ist, not 7 This can be avoided by paying your subscription delivered. “City of Bemidji” While Decks ‘And” Cabin Are Placed. APPOINTMENTS ARE COMPLETE “The City of Bemidji,” has been launched. It is now on the ice by the city dock and will not take to the water until the ice goes ou:tl.' While this is not the usual time of the year for such proceedings, the hull had to be taken from the work room in or- der that the deck could be built. The | boat is being built by its owner, Cap- tain McLachlan. When completed it will be the largest and best appointed on the lake. Some of the specifications of the ship are length, 54 feet; beam, 11 feet; draft, 2 feet; double 24 inch jpropellers; double rudders, two 28 h. p. Westman engines, capacity 100, pilot house control, fore and aft awn- ings, wicker chairs on the after deck, electric lights, and a toilet room. Captain McLachlan will carry mail, supplies and passengers. . Captain McLachlan believes that the boat will be ready to run April 25. It will make eighty miles a day according to the schedule.. The time table has been changed from that of last year, the new on€ being as fol- lake points, 1 p. m.; dam, 2:30 p. m.; mill, 5:30 p. m.; 7:30 and 8:30 p. m. EXTRA Minneapolis, March 22.—(Special to the Pioneer at 4 p. m.)—Word has just been received here of the cap- ture of Sidna Allen, age 22, at Lam- burg, Va. He was taken without re- sistance. from which you will see that of each |Will be ;Pterested in.atew condensed from Hillsville, the scene of the re- dollar received the companies only figures in our own state and par- have 61 1-2 cents left with which to|ticularly in your home city. Accord- from the other members of the gang. pay losses. ing to figures of the insurance de- The companies cannot get away | Partment the premiums secured by from the commission item which is all companies in Minnesota in 1910 incurred cent court murder. Nothing heard Bryan Nominated.. A LAUNCHES NEW BOAT -iered fireproof. lows: mill, 6:30' a. m.; dam, 9 a. m.; ! lake .points/ Lamburg is twelve miles Insurance Inspectors Show that Peo- ple- and- Not - Companies Pay The Losses. THEATER CHANGES ADVISED Grand Said One of Best lin the State But Others Should Be Made Fireproof, CITY HALL A BIG RISK Two Stoves Placed in the Scemery and a Third By a Wooden Partition, - Reasons for fire prevention were driven home to Bemidji business men last night when the speakers at the Commercial club brought forth facts and figures to show the size 9fr the waste and by whom it was borne and then showed how the conditions could be remedied. The meeting was attended by about 100 men. J. L. King was the first speaker for the insurance men and his speech will - be - tound fully reported in an- other column. He was followed by Mr. Colburn, who is also reported un- der separate heading. A. M. Wallace, assistant state fire marshal, brought out some startling Resting . on Iee |facts-in connection with the investi- gations .of -the-afternoon. ‘In speak- ing of the Bemidji. theaters, he said that from the viewpoint of possibil- ity of fire, the picture booth in the Grand theater was one of the best constructed in.the state and comsid- The Brinkman was said. to be in fair shape and could be easily improved; the Majestic was said to present a big risk. Mr. Woodmansee started repairs on his booth this morning and says that it will be able to pass inspec- tion. at .once. He further said that he had.contemplated making the changes suggested as soon as the weather permitted, but would wait no longer. Will Condemn Building. Mr. Wallace stated that several | Bemidji buildings would probably be condemned and others ordered re; paired. He pointed to the Ohio fire marshal law as a model of its kind and showed that the loss in that state had been cut from $14,000,000 to $6,000,000 per year chiefly through the work of that one depart- ment. Minnesota has placed but $19,000 a year at the disposal of its fire marshal department. It is ex- ipected to pay salaries of four and traveling and office expenses. Beltrami county was congratulat- ed on the personnel and excellent work of its last two grand juries. He said that the southern anq west- ern parts of the state had watched their actions with interest and were ipleased when they returned the ar- ison indictments they did. % Fire Losses Increasing. Following Mr. Wallace, W. O. Chamberlain stated that there had been an increase in the fire loss in the state during the past two years and appealed to the people of this city to clean up and stay clean. He said that there was no case on rec- ord of a man having been requested to remedy’ conditions and not com- plying with the request. Clean streets and alleys were ad- vocated ‘as the best advertising the city could have. He suggested that all refuse be placed in cans and cart- ed away each week instead of allow- ing it to pile up and be covered with show, finally freezing into a shape- less mass. The city was compli- mented on its High school building and he said that it would bé a good Historlal Soclety = T % wedding supper. The bride is a pre-[the largest item of expense because|Were $8,993,414. Losses possessing young woman of grace|the insurance business is a retail|$6,214,984, or 69 1-10 per cent. I the University of Minnesota in a and refinement. She also possesses | business and must be looked after by |1911 the premiums were $8,200,219. |y 0ck convention last night nominat- the qualities and training necessary|a man on the ground to be of proper Losses $4,883,275 or 59 1-2 per cent.|oq William Jennings Bryan for presi- for a good housekeeper. The groom [serviceto you. It might be done on|EFremiums for both years $17,193,-|gent of the United States... Bryan is an enterprising young man, es-|a mail order plan but we are no more|833. Losses $11,098,259, or an av-|jeq on the first ballot and on the sec- teemed by all who know him. The|in love with that system than you|©rage ratio of 64 2-10 per cent. In-|ong gecured the nomination. Minneapolis, March 22.—Students| 1., ¢4 allow the agricultural stud- ents to improve vacant lots by using them as gardens. City Hall a Fire Trap. The city hall came in for a scor- His |ing that seemed deserved. It was pointed out that the fire protection. (Continued on Page 5) :\ 4 young couple will live on the farm |are. In any event we do not believe w strerigth came mainly from the Agri- owned by the groom in west Shotly. any agent has become rich from R e (Continued on last pags) cultural college. ] pEu Tt .