tPORTr OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE.


GENERAL REMARKS
FIRE PREV ENTION LEGISLATION.
The niew legislation enacted during the session of 1913 largely
reflected the recommendations of the Legislative fire insurance
investigating committee appointed in 1911.
The laws looking to the prevention of fires are of the most im-
portance. Except in one particular the plan recommended by
Mte committee was enacted into law. It seeks to deal with tWe
problem in a thoroughgoing, permanent way. It is recognized
that a great mass of small -fires make up a, large part of the, state's
$5,000,000 annual fire loss, and that many of these small fires are
incipient large fires.
Full information is sought with regard to each fire. Such
study is to be given to this data as will determine as, tar as pos-
sible the causes of fires and the conditions under which they i   Al
occur. This knowledge is. to be used in periodical inspeetionl
of all property. The owner should be informed promptly of the
result of each inspection, of which a permanent reeQcrd  LO,
kept.
No NEW OFFICICRS OR EXPENDITURES.
The plan does not call for the creation of any new offcie ilv
does it impose any burden in the way of additional expenlidi-
tures, either upon the state or upon the municipalities. It merely
seeks to utilize the force now available and to secure the greatest
results from the money now expended by the public. The funda-
mental principle is that it is more economical, as well as more
sensible, to secure results. by preventing fires as far as possible
before they occur.
KNOWLEDGE OF CAUSES OF FIRES.
The central supervision is placed in the office of the state fire
marshal. T The chief of each fire department is made a deputy fire
marshal. Each fire that occurs must be reported by the owner
or occupant to the state fire marshal through the fire chief, or di-
rect where there is no fire department.