The title is taken from a useful suggestion of the editor’s under "Something to Think About," in the July number of the Record. The question mark is smilingly added because of the following incident.

Crowds were milling about the streets of Portland, Oregon, on the gala day of the last Rose Festival.

The proprietor of a jewelry store on one of the main thoroughfares was pleased with the world in general, and smiled at the battered car parked by the curb. Passersby in a steady stream paused to enjoy the jeweler’s window display (protected by a Fireman’s Fund Block policy.)

The driver of the battered car decided to drive his ancient heap elsewhere. He proceeded to the bow of the craft and spun the crank, but alas! He was as forgetful as the gentleman who neglected to hook his belt into his parachute when jumping from a balloon. The driver forgot that he had left his car in reverse gear.

As the motor started, the car leaped astern—and true to course, circled a street clock and came to anchor in the shattered wreckage of the jeweler’s display window.

Needless to say, considerable confusion resulted and it was several minutes before police officers arrived to restore order and protect the merchandise.

In the interim, many of the tourists decided that this was a golden opportunity to take home a souvenir without having to pay for it. And nobody did pay, but Fireman’s Fund.

Of course, if the car had been covered by a property damage policy, or if its owner had a considerable layer of bank notes, the jeweler could have gotten by without insurance. But in this case the car owner was broke—even more "broke" than the car, which he had just purchased for $65, with a down payment of $14.

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