418 HOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



for them?" What curse rests on you that prevents you from saying. 

 "Myi)rice is so much." The trouble is not that we have unions, but that 

 we have not enough unions. This country Avants one more great national 

 union, as broad as our country, founded on equity, which every man and 

 woman can join and be the better for belonging. The greatest union of 

 all. that will temper other unions and even compel an equitable, strong 

 government! This is what the American Society of Equity aims to be. 

 Its plan is broad enough, its objects are good enough; it rests with the 

 farmers if they will build it up quickly. 



FARMERS' MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANIES' UNION OF 



INDIANA. 



H. L. NOWLIN, LAWRENCEBUKG. 



This is an organization of the mutual insurance companies of the 

 State and has a membership of thirty. While this seems small, we have 

 nearly every companj'^ of which the secretary has knowledge sufficient to 

 locate the secretary of the local company. There are supposed to be 

 near one hundred and fifty local companies in Indiana, and it is the desire 

 of the Union to get all of these to join it. With this end in view, we ask 

 that you send to H. L. Nowlin, Lawrenceburg, lud., the name of the com- 

 pany within your knowledge, together with the name and address of the 

 secretai'y of said company. 



According to the reports sent to the Union, there must be consider- 

 ably over $200,000,000 of insurance carried by these mutual companies; 

 and these reports also show that the average cost in the nnilual com- 

 panies is about 20 cents on each .^100.00 of insurance per year, which 

 means a saving to the farmers of over $(;( O.OUU per year in the matter 

 of insurance. This is likely a very low estimate, as some companies 

 carry six million dollars and more, while a very few i:\rry less than one 

 million. One thing is very noticeable in the reports, and tli.it is the very 

 small loss by lightning where buildings are properly rodded. In fact, so 

 few rodded buildings are struck at all, that it might be said that rods 

 afford complete protection, as I believe every one tli.it li.is been reported 

 as struck was only slightly danmged. 



Now, I Avill again re(iuest that you assist in giving inlornuition that 

 will get all the companies in the State into the Union, that all may be 

 mutually benefited. I thank you for tliis opportunity, and will mail a 

 complete report of the HUM meeting of th(^ ITnion to .my person request- 

 ing the same and sending .i two-cent stamp to pay postag*'. 



