Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-10-06

Inc Withdrawal of One Insurance Agent
with Eight Companies-He Explains why
ne Took the Step-Rates Raised by the
board-The Board Men Say 1t Won't Re
Much of a Shower.
The withdrawal of Mr.. NJ. d. Miller from
Inc Board OF Underwriters having caused a
ripple, GLOBE man started out Yesterday tn
see how much of wash it had made in in
surance circles.
NIB. MILLER's EXPLANATION,
AS starter, Mr.. Miller was called upon.
1t took half dozen calls, and as MANY
more waits before Mr.. Miller was
safely cornered. Having got his man. the
reporter began at the beginning, by ASKING
why he, Mr.. Miller, had withdrawn from the
board.
wen, for several reasons. They are of
both personal and business nature. I ouess
the t1rst we need have nothing to do with
well, let us have the latter, if you please?',
when the organization was first effected
an invitation was extended to me to join it.
The understanding formed, from distinctly
expressed opinions. was that the board
would not exceed the rates charged
IN other Cities That the rates would not be
raised over what we were then writing for.
I'm speaking of the State association. The
agreement was to to take first class risk.
and on that make moderate rate, and puape
the other risks accordingly. The local board
acts IN CONJUNCTION with the state associa-
tion. Now, without consulting their com
panles, the agents forming the board have
lncreaset local rates from 25 to 100 per cent.
The majority rules, and the majority is com
posed OF those doing heavy business
what has been the result of this?o
III mas damaged business here. The bust
ness men OF the city have carried their risks
to other places for insurance. Why. sir. I
have asked the board to allow me- to rednca
my rates where | had the whole risk. but
being in the minority could not win. The
rulings of the board has had the effect of
killing all small business and creating a
monopoly in the business
"What will be the effect of yonr with
drawal?''
| "Ihat is to be seen. 1t depends solely
upon the business men of the CITY. The
insurance business can be carried on profit
| ably to all parties concerned without the
board. There's no reason why it
shouldn't
| but In steps the board and State as
soclatlon with this rule: No member of the
| State association shall be allowed to repre-
seftany ire insurance company which is
represented in Minnesota by any agent who
who is not member of the ASSOCIATION
What then?''
"Ihe association is not backed up by any
company. The agents are the hackers. If
the companies do not choose to sustain
the association, the agents are not going to
give up their agencies at the demand of the
association. You can catch the situation?''
The reporter mildly limited, he thought he
did, and the gentleman resumed "There's
similar case to mine in Minneapolis. The
agent of the Lamar company represents his
company out of the association, yet is a
member. Nothing has been done about it,
so the rule has been honored in the breach
| already
''What will be the upshot of the whole
AFFAIR.""
Il can't tell. see no reason why an
agent will not be sustained by his companies
when he can do better business for them,
and upon them it all depends
| "If the agent is sustained?''
'Ihen away goes the association"
| And with thanks, away went the reporter.
| Mr.. FL. L. Moss Office was next visited
the reporter in the face.
AS ''out of town. was very indefinite and
might either mean Kalamazoo or Minneap-
oils, the GLOBE scribe didn't undertake to
search ''out of town. for Mr.. Moss.
Mr.. G. H. Bigelow, secretary of the St.
Paul Fire & Marine, was found in town, and
in his Office
ooh, the matter has been made of too
much Importance, already" said that gentle
man.
"Well, what effect will it have, after all?''
Con whom?"
A good question, which was answered by
son the board, of course.''
/ "None at all?''
"On Mr.. Miller?''
81 don't know. It's a small matter, m axe
the most of it you WILL
"What action will the beard take, or have
they taken any?"
Yes. At meeting yesterday the matter
was taken up and referred to the State as
ISOLATION. 1t is in their hands, and in the
course of events will be duly referred to the
several companies represented by Mr.. Mil
ler.''
1.-The assertion is made that the board has
30 increased insurance rates here that risks
are taken elsewhere for insurance How is
that?''
"To be sure, the board was formed fol-
protection, and to advance rates to paying
basis"
"To an increase of % to 100 per cent, TO,
instance?"
"That's not 80. There was an advance, to
be sure, but none such as that
/ Coming back to the affair at issue, the
gentleman again said sit didn't matter much
MIR. Millers agency was small one at any
rate"
With this, the reporter withdrew.
Several other agents and members of the
board were called upon, and their views
were similar to Mr.. Bigelow's, or they didn't
have an opinion, at least didn't say they had.
Mr.. Miller represents the following com
panies:
Merchants, Newark. 81 .O45. 291 3s
BRUSH American. Observation-Disclosures. !, 102, $50 70
La Caisse, Paris. ..... 244. 354 So
New Hampshire. ... 500 900 90
Royal Canadian. ............10 600 600 NO
Amazon, Cincinnati. .. 900 600 90
Peoples, Newark. COG. 600 90
| If his break is sustained and endorsed
| by his companies, he will have entered a
Large sized wedge into the system of insur-
ance business which obtains in this COM
munity.