Enumclaw Farmers Cut Out the Insurance Companies

Last spring some of the enterprising farmers around Enumclaw got together to discuss the advisability of organizing themselves into a fire insurance association. At the first meeting a committee was appointed to draw up a constitution and by-laws, which were adopted at the second meeting and officers elected.

After having incorporated and had some printing done, we were ready for business and each director canvassed his own particular neighborhood, and in a few days we had most of the farmers around Enumclaw, Birch, Boise, Osceola, Fleusted and Wabash. It was surprising how quick the people realized the idea of doing their own insuring. It is just simply a case of one neighbor helping the other, only we pledge ourselves to do so, and to such an extent. It is a new plan in this state, but a very old and tried one in most of the Eastern states, and in a good many of the European countries as well.

I would like to give here the constitution and by-laws in full, but as that would take up too much space, will just cite a few of the most important sections.

"Art. 2. This company shall not do business beyond the following limits, viz.: The north bluff of the Green river valley on the north, the Cascade mountains on the east, Puyallup on the south and Auburn on the west."

After canvassing that territory we found it was too small, so at our last meeting we amended the article to read: "This company shall not do business outside the state of Washington." It is not the object, however, to spread all over the state at once, but to go over the ground thoroughly and try to get all farmers interested as we go.

"Art. 5. The officers of the company shall be a president, secretary, treasurer and six directors, all of whom shall be elected semi-annually and shall serve for a term of six months or until their successors are elected and qualified.

"Art. 8. This company is strictly a Mutual Fire and Lightning Insurance Company, and shall never be changed into a stock company.

"Art. 9. This company confines its business to insuring farm property, which includes farm dwelling houses, barns, stables, chicken-houses, sheep cotes, granaries, etc., with all farm stock, implements, tools, household furniture, hop houses (when not in use for drying hops) and farm produce, except hops."

"Art. 11. The company will pay full insurance, but in no case will insure for more than two-thirds."