New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-05-22
THE NATIONAL FIfE UNDIRWRITERS.

GREAT SECRECY CONCERNING THEIR ANNUAL MEET
ING AND RUMORs OF CONSOLIDATION.
The annual meeting of the National Board OF
Fire Underwriters is held the third Thursday In each
May and usually IL is the occasion for the presentation
of voluminous printed reports. Yesterday however,
there were formal reports either in printed or I'M
printed FORM except few tables OF figures offered by
the committee BY these it appears that 100
rewards offered last year amounting to So9,1OO,
for the arrest and conviction Of incendaes and that
the amount actually paid in rewards was Sl,7OO, the
cases being in number During the previous year
l13 rewards were offered. amounting to $3.50, and
nine were paid, amounting to $1,000
The address of the president Daniel A. Head not
read as usual but was brief and wholly verbal. The
secretary observed great secrecy regarding it, declining
to make known its chief points. II was re-
ported in insurance circles that the movement for
the consolidation OF the Rational Fire Underwriters and
the United Fire Underwriters in single board had
almost reached a head Hence the mystery which was
thrown about the entire proceedings month hencc IL
Is believed the final result OF the movement VIII DC
known.
officers OF the previous year VINO are as loiOWs ~ a
Head. president, New-YOrk; d. W. G. ShltOn, vice.
Philadelphia; s. Parish, treasurer, providence -Four
members OF the Executive Committee were elected Tor
Mass; G. A. Van Allen Albany; f. W. Arnold, Proy
dence and r. d. Aliger London. Two other members
York, for one year, and Henry T. browne, Newly Ork
for two years The memberSOf the Executive Commit
Plat Philadelphia James Nichols, Hartford Henry H.
Hail, England, and J. W. McAlllstef, Philadelphia.
The subjects discussed during the session were Few
aud no definite action upon them was taken
A wellknown insurance broker said that the present
annual meeting of the National Fire Underwriters was
surrounded with than the usual mystery. lie
himself yet ignorant Of the details OF the mat
discussed, but he certain that the proposed
consolidation with the United Fire Un-
ETsF witch Of Il Tas os desired to eo
There has recently been great deal OF disafec
ton among the companies represented in the
National Board and many Of them have withdrawn
from it, Their motive Is Dissatisfaction with the course
Of certain rival companies " The Home Com
pany, of which Mr.. Heald president Of the
board IS yice-presdent, and the Phoenix Of
Hartford, Of which Mr.. sktOn is officer, have for
months raidng everybody else's business
the Pacific Coast" SAID the broker d" / believe how
ever that they very recently ceased that and have
into the compact formed by the companies which
exploiting that region. There IS strong move
ment 10 get all the companies TO agree to a
maximum rate OF brokerage for agents, so that
company cannot outbid another Years ago the old
Of Hartford gave its agents per cent and small
policy fee Now 20 or 20 per cent is paid TO agents and
the tendencys grant them more and more The aim OF
the restrict rate TO ID cent Tho
National Board is trying to accomplish this object and
hopes no doubt. 10 recover IN this way some OF the
prestige that IL has lost In alternating important com
panics Que OF the officers OF the Board has recently
been up and down through the land trying 10 induce the
companies to sign the maximum agreement"