ARSON IN AMERICA.

Grey River Argus, Volume XXIII, Issue 3909, 9 March 1881, Page 2

ARSON IN AMERICA.

The insurance companies in San Francisco know how to project themselves from the efforts of incendiaries, as will be seen from the following report of the araon committee of the United Insurance Companies :— The assessment of 419,067d0l wa« levied in pursuance of the following relutions, which were unanimously passed a meeting of the Fire Underwriters of San Francisco, held April 4th, 1877, at at which meeting all the fire insurance companies authorised to do business In California were represented by their officers or agents, viz: : —

RESOLUTIONS FOB ASSESSMENTS

f -" •■', the Fire Underwriters of San shall contribute a sum not exceedfng 10,000dol, to pay for the prosecution of incendiaries in Ohio?

and other places, and for rewards alreadj offered, and that they may be offered bj the arson committee for the convfction oi such incendiaries." Resolved — " That the assessments shall be on the basis of the retnrriß made to the insurance Commissioners of the State of California for fire insurance premiums written on risks of California for the year ending December 31st, 1875." CONVICTION. Since the publication of the Treasurer's last acocunt od 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 (Los Angelos), do five years ; John F. Moore, do Beven years ; B. W. Taylor (Chico), do ton years ; Marion Smith (San Bernardine), do twelve years ; George M. Miller (San Francisco), do five years; Virginio Hernandez (Santa Clare County,), do four years ; J. C. Stately (Santa Rosa), do four years ; Fernando Guttierez (Pacheao) do six years. OUTSTANDING BEWABDS. A number of offers of reward have been made by the arson committee which are still binding upon the Under writers, and at present date a liability exists for the payment of a reward of SOOdol.s The committee are 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 out the terms of their sentence in the State prifion. This has been accomplished by an expenditure of a little more than 4000dols. GtfSTAVE TOUCHARD Chairman of Arson Committee. Saa Francisco, 20th December, 1880.