The New York herald., 1876-11-16
THE FIRE UNDERWRITERS.
ENGLISH COMPANIES WITHDRAWING FROM THE

ENGLISH COMPANIES WITHDRAWING FROM THE
NATIONAL BOARD
Last week the managers Of the North British Mcr-
oanie Fire Insurance Company, located in this city,
sent to the National Board OF Fire Underwriters its
resignation as member Of that Board. Al the same
time the Lancashire Fire Insurance Company, OF Lon
don doing business at No 1S7 Broadway, scnt in its
resignation. The Royal Fire Insurance Company,
having Offices No. So Wall street. was dropped from
The roll the National Board last October and al.
though IT was invited to again enter the Board, has
declined to do SO. The action Of these companies
leaves but SIX Of tho English companies acting with
the American companies in the Board one Of the
other prominent English companies has never been a
member OF the National Board.
II appears that the 'Royal'' has system OF busi-
ness somewhat different from the majority OF tho
American companies, in that the principal Office is IN
En gland and the managers OF The branches dong busi
in this country, having dvded the work into sec
tions representing the North south, Eust and West
branches, report directly 10 tho HON. Office and not
to n central Office here Consequently, when they
invited TO the National Board time be-
fore the Chicago fire had demonstrated the need OF
sucn organization, meeting OF the managers
held at which It was agreed tnat they should enter the
Board, II allowed 10 speak and vote Tor their several
branches The National Board accepted them Oh those
terms aud affairs worked smoothly until The election
for officers OF the Board In September last, when The
"Royal" notified that us several branch managers
would not be allowed TO cast separate baiiois--that
only ballot be for the company. Another
meeting of the managers was held, and u was decided
TO withdraw the Royal" from .he Board. About ten
days AFTER in October tho Board oroppcd the company
from tho rolls. The other English companics made
stand against that action and the 'Roya WIS invited
to come bnck but declined partly the ground that
some Of tho companies, members Of the Board,
living up to the rules established to
govern tho rates. and that those who did
observe the rules were supporting those who cvadcd
them. Since that timc the managers OF the North
British Mercantile Insurance Company, at No. 54
William street, held several meetings. and lnay de-
cldcd that while they would be s.rae
cuttors, they were unwilling TO observe all OF tho
rules OF the National Board, aud without charging any
Of It's members with 'cutng the rates., 1t was advis
able 10 withdraw from the Board aud conduct the
business Of their company seemed best
tcrcsL Similar action taken by tho Lancashire,
and both companies have Withdrawn.
The Executive Committee OF tho National Board Is
In in this city, but 1t s probable that
these companies can bo induced to return into the
fold. What the other English companies will do has
not been decided upon. Ono ot tho representatives
OF prominent company said last evening 10 HERALD
reporter that, In his opinion the National Board was
longer necessity; that the dcarth OF business had
made competition very sharp, and in order to procure
It brokers and agents offered Inducements that
panes who strictly observed The rules could not ocr
and were gradually losing their business, and ho be-
levcd the National Board OF Fire Underwriters would
cease TO exist