The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1884-01-11
Corporation Elections.
Mutual Fire Insurance Company in
Hartford County.

The annual meeting of members of this com
pany was held at Bel Air; on Monday. 1t was well
attended and the proceedings were lively and in
teresting. The meeting was called To order by
VIM. Webster, and organized with Hon. Steven
son Archer as President, and james Lee, N.
N. Mock and II. w. Baker Secretaries.
Col. j. G. Walsh, President, read the annual
statement of the Executive Committee. Messrs.
John =. Dallam and Il. NJ. Allen, of the com
mittee, concurred in the financial report, but
presented minority report recommending that
the company insure canning houses.
The financial part of the committees report
was accepted and adopted and then n vigorous
discussion of canning house insurance began.
Mr.. William Young presented a series OF resou-
tons, commenting upon each one AZ he read it.
He did not think Gamers should be driven out of
the company. If the rates We're too low, take
the highest rates of the best stock companies ms
Il basis The risk on canned goods he said, is not
greater than the risk on the ordinary contents of
n barn. The company is waning, and unless
something is done it will cease to exist. He I'D
vocated the appointment of an agent TO solicit
insurance, who would, with two of the directors
be empowered to grant insurance.
Col. f. III. Webster thought the only point TO be
considered was whether canning houses and can
ned goods should be insured or not at such rates
as would justify the company, and avowed him
self unhesitatingly for insuring them
Johns IL. Janney said the Hartford company
charged him for insuring his property other than
reserving the right to double the amount in a
year. The York company charges $3 on the
$1,000, and he gives no note and is not liable to
assessment. He can have the same property in
sured in a Baltimore stock company for $3.50 on
the 1000, by insurng for three years. Counting
the interest that would amount to 1896. In the
last years his insurance in the Hartford company
had cost him 1898 on the $1,000. This included
two extra assessments IL the Baltimore stock
company can insure ut 1896 and make money,
why can't we? Our company is not managed on
business principles. The directors who voted to
cancel canning house insurance had done the
Gamers more harm than can be undone to-day
He thought an agent should be appointed to so-
cit insurance. to be paid by commissions and not
Col. Walsh said the company was not a money
making institution and the directors did not go
about hunting up insurance. Mr.. Janney continu-
ing said that canning houses might be considered
hazardous risks during the canning season, but
when the fires and lights are out and work stopped
they are first class risks. The increase of losses
of the company in 1883 was only $637 more than in
1882, while the total assurances losses in the
United States were l050O0,0O0.
Col. Webster offered the following resolution,
which was adopted, by a vote of37 to3:
"Resolved, by this meeting that the action of
the Executive Committee of this company of the
and suspending all policies of insurance on both
canning houses and canned goods on ana after
January lst, 1884, be and the same is hereby revok
ed"
Mr. r.. M. Allen offered resolution that can
ned goods stored in building in which can
ming is not being done be insured at the same
rates as other personal property Rejected.
Mr.. Allen then offered the following resolu-
Resolved, That canning houses and canned
goods shall be insured at such rates rs the Off
GERS Of this company shall find that other safe
and conservative companies charge, not includ-
ing commissions paid by foreign companies to
their agents.
Mr.. Allen strongly urged the adoption of his
resolution, on the ground that being a mutual
company In which The actual expenses are sup
posed To be collected, therefore canning proper
ty could be insured mt the same rates Us good
stock companies charge. with the deduction to
the Gamer of the usual commission paid by such
stock company to its agents.
Mr.. Geo. II. Silver opposed Mr.. Aliens resoiu-
ton because OF It's unjust discrimination against
Gamers. They are willing tOpay large premiums
during the canning season, but when their can
neries are only used for storage purposes the
risk is less than on any other kind of property
Col. Herman stump offered the following as
substitute, which was adopted by vote of 20 to
10 and carried by 81 TO 9.