ARSON IN AMERICA.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2188, 1 March 1881, Page 3

ARSON IN AMERICA.

The insurance companies in San Francisco know how to protect themselves from tho efforts of incendiaries, as will be seen from the following report of the arson committee of the United Insurance Companies : The assessment of 419,067d01. was levied in pursuance of the following resolutions, which were unanimously passed at a meeting of the Fire Underwriters of San Francisco, held April 4th, 1877, at which meeting all the fire insurance companies authorised to do business in California were represented by their officers or agents, viz.:— RESOLUTIONS TOE ASSESSMENTS. Resolved—“ That the Fire Underwriters of San Francisco shall contribute a sum not exceeding IO.OOOdoI. to pay for the prosecution of incendiaries in Chico and other places, and for rewards already offered, and that may be offered by the arson committee for the conviction of such incendiaries.” Resolved—“ That the assessments shall be on the basis of the returns made to the Insurance Commissioner of the State of California for fire insurance premiums written on risks in California for the year ending December 31st, 1875.” CONTIOTIONB. Since the publication of the Treasurer’s last account on November Ist, 1877, the rewards paid have secured the conviction of the following persons, viz :—Hung Ah Sing, in the State prison for three years ; Henry Kock (Loi Angelos), do five years ; John F. Moore, do seven years ; B. W. Taylor (Ohico), do ten years ; Marion Smith (San Bernardino), do twelve years ; George M. Miller (San Francisco), do five years ; Yirginio Hernandez (Santa Clara County), do four years ; J. O. Staley (Santa Rosa), do five years j Richard Hodgson (Santa Rosa), do four years ; Fernando Guttiercz (Pacheao), do six years. OUTSTANDING EBWABDS. A number of offers of reward have been made by the arson committee which are still binding upon the Underwriters, and at present date a liability exists for the payment of a reward of 500dols.

The committee ore of opinion that the wisdom of the course pursued by the Underwriters in offering rewards for the arrest and conviction of incendiaries has been shown in the conviction of ten persons for arson since November Ist, 1877, who are now serving ont the terms of their sentence in the State prison. This has been accomplished by an expenditure of a little more than AOOOdols. Qubtate Topchabd, Chairman of Arson Committee, W«v> Itrancisoo, 20th December, 1880.