National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1885-06-24
NOT AN INSURANCE FRAUD.
The Angio-Amcricnn Company visited
bv m URenubIicnn Reuorter.

The Anglo-Amcricnn Company visited
by "Republican Reporter.
The fact that the state insurance depart
meut of New York had apparently issued a
note of warning to citizens Of the Empire
State against n corporation having its home
in this city, was the occasion of a reporter
for The NATIONAL REPUBLICAN being de-
tailed to inquire Of the Anglo-Ameican
Fire Insurance Company rs to the cause of
the alleged action. He was courteously
received by ID. +. IIamlink, the secretary,
at the office on Il street, near Seventh.
Mr.. Hamllnk was inclined to believe
that the dispatch, which said that
Supt. Mccall, OF the insurance depart
ment, had warned the people against ac-
cepting policies Of the company was not
authorized. The company, IL Is further
stated, has no authority to issue policies in
the state, and It has no deposit with the
superintendent for the protection OF its
policy-holders. This was explained by Mr..
namlink as being the case with over 100
companies. In good standing In different
parts Of the country, including two others
located in this District. The reason for not
complying with the state law was that II
was altogether too expensive, especially for
n young company.
"Wherein does the cost exceed that of
home companies complying with the law ?'
was asked
"In this" replied MIR. IIamlink, "that
every time an interested insurance paper
makes an attack upon foreign company,
inspired by an envious rival, the insurance
superintendents think IL necessary to make
o visit, costing the company inspected from
$4,000 to Sc, 500 for clerk hire, expenses, sc.
Now, rs Washington Is a very nice place to
come to we should never be free from the
presence Of examiners from one state or an
other, and our company would soon be
Tuined.n
Mr.. Hamiink went on to say that his
company was organized under the general
incorporation law OF the District In June,
1884, by n number of English capitalists,
having already large interests in ranches
and railroads here. From the start they
had received very satisfactory amount OF
! business, the premiums averaging Sl,OO0
| per day to date, including the first month,
but now much larger and steadily increas-
ing, and the losses paid promptly, in nearly
every case, before the sixty days grace
after adjustment, the customary time re-
| served IN all fire policies. He showed n
number Of letters Of acknowledgment and
thanks for the speedy settlement OF
claims. Among the number were the
| following names taken at random by
the reporter: Preston Belvin, Of
| Richmond, Va; j. l.. Riddle ~ Co., OF
Martinsville, Va; Charles Fish, of Bloss-
burg, Pa; j. W. Griggs, Laconia, Ind,
and Jas. A. Flack and Speiss 81 Franz, of
New York city Claims amounting to
$1,000 would be paid In Canada this week,
the papers In course of preparation being
shown thereporter. The records Of policies
issued were also exhibited besides a num-
ber Of receipts for payments filed with the
adjustment papers in various cases.
Various athsr details of the methods Of
carrying on the business were explained,
and every question put answered In q
manner to convince the reporter, who
though not an insurance expert, has fail
knowledge Of fraudulent concerns and
their methods, that the company was
doing a Legitimate business, albeit one that
would be apt to arouse the antagonism o
some Of the older companies.
"We don't claim to comply with the in.
surance laws Of every state from which
business comes to u.s." said Mr.. Hamlink
In conclusion. ave don't solicit business
and have no agents In any state. WheI
parties apply TO us, as they do, from various
states, we issue policies In all such cases n
prove satisfactory, just as other companies
do. We refuse at least one-half of tht
business offered"
Hon. w. II. Bell, the president, and Mr.
II. ii. Finley, the general manager, wer
absent, but Mr.. Hamlink appeared TO hav
the charge of all Office details.