THE GENERAIv CONDITIONS OF INSURANCE AGAINST FIRE 45 



The following figures show the progress made between 1904 and 1914. 



The total amount paid in indemnities in these ten years was $ 3,878,154, 

 giving a total yearly average of § 387,115 and a yearly average for $ 100 

 of insurance of $ 0.162. 



The following table throws some light on the average rate of insurance 

 in the same decade : 



l/5sses & 



expenses 



in thousands of 



dollars 



Cost 

 per 



Cast 



per 

 . , „ thousand dollars 

 thousand dollars; for losses 

 for losses & expenses 



1904, 



1905 



1906. 



1907. 



1908. 



1909. 



1910. 



1911 . 



1912. 



1913- 



418 

 490 

 430 

 445 

 505 

 543 

 632 

 728 

 596 

 775 



Dollars 



2.20 

 2.47 

 2.17 

 2.00 

 2.1 1 

 2.16 

 2.40 

 2.80 

 2.12 

 2.58 



Aveiage Cost 



Cost for first five years, per year 

 '> » second » » » » 



2.27 

 2.19 

 2.41 



These figures show an irregular but gradual increase in the loss per thou- 

 sand column, the cost for the second being greater than that for the first 

 five years. The circumstance seems to be due to the considerable propor- 

 tion of so-called " mysterious fires ", many of which could be avoided by 



