The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-01-03
COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS.
the Members of the State Association
Meet in Annual Session.
fnProsperous Financial Condition-Addresses
By Messrs Ross and Munson-Elec-
ton Of Officers and the Banquet.

By Megsrs. Ross and Muuson-Elec-
ton Of Officers and the Banquet.
The attendance at the annual meeting Of the
Indiana Commercial Travellers Association yes
terday was unusually large, over two hundred
members Of the organization, representing the
leading business centers OF the State. being in
attendance.
Major James R. Ross, the president Of
tho association, called the meeting to order,
IA Masonic Hall, at 10 o'clock in the
morning extending to the members "a hearty
and fraternal welcome" In giving q state
nent of the condition of the association at the
close Of its eleventh year, he said that during
1885 the membership had increased thirty six.
and the total number is now 595 There is a
surplus in the treasury Of $7,464.35. which is
sgo This surplus fund.-" said President
Ross, has accumulated by assessments
paid in excess of benefits paid.
IN the following manner When say SIS mem
bers pay their assessments, thus paying into the
treasury 81. 725 there is paid out $500 death
boss. thereby adding to the surplus 1925; in this
way this fund has accumulated, and. in my
Judgment, should be 80 continued till that fund
reaches 10000 With such sum in the
treasury we are well prepared for
any emergency that may arise. and
you are absolutely assured of protection to
your families and such fund would enable US
to limit the number OF assessments in any one
year, SO that they would at no time become q
burden. am inclined to think that the num-
Der of assessments in any one year should be
limited and would recommend that until the
membership exceeds 600 the number Of assess
ments in any one year be limited to eight, to
be increased when the membership exceeds
shat number Judging from our past expert
euee it Is fair to presume that this limit will
never be reached; in 1873 we paid but one loss
In 1882 three, in 1883 seven, In 1884 two in 1885
four, . total in eleven years of seventeen losses
but If this limit should be reached, it would then
cost you but $24 for certain insurance of II. 500
on the present membership. Under such
an arrangement, any losses in excess of
eight in any one year would
be paid out Of the surplus fund. Whenever the
surplus or reserve fund exceeds $l0, 900 by a
sum sufficient TO pay loss, l would say, pay
such loss therefrom without assessment. Should
this fund increase for the next three years in
the same ratio as the past year, it then exceeds
the 100000 With substantial reserve fund
on hand to meet emergencies. 1t seems to me
sonal interest in that fund, and his attachment
to the association would be that much
stronger, knowing that his insurance was GER
tain; and it would have o tendency, believe, to
prevent members from allowing themselves to
become delinquent and dropped from the rolls.
i would also recommend that the secretary be
directed to make quarterly reports by circular
letter, OF the membership and financial condition
Of the association to each member, to the end
that we may know at all times just what shape
we are in, and that we still live as an associa-
tom
The members who died during the year. the
president said, were r B. Robinson, Charles
Rnckarsfeldt and 3. N. Scott Of Indianapolis;
T. NJ. Gill, OF Paxton, III. A member named
Gibson, who joined the association only in last
October, died within the last few days, and the
assessment for the benefit Of his family will date
from Jan. l, 1886. The losses are paid as soon
ms proof of death is furnished, and the amount
10 replaced in The fund with the money raised
by assessment. The attorney Of the as
sociatfon declares that it is the lest
mutual assurance company in the United
States In eleven years, one member, +. N.
Scott. paid but 500, an average OF fifty cents per
month"; for 81, 500 insurance. The president rec
emmended that in changing the constitution,
members who have been dropped should not be
rsadmitted after they have passed the prescribed
limit of age
The report of the secretary and treasurer. R.
w. Coffin, showed that four members had been
reinstated during the year, and thirty four
dropped for non paYment of dues. The treasur
eTs receipts during the year Amounted to $l3,-
I9l. 60 and the disbursements were Sc, 322 y;
leaving on hand balance of $7,46935.
The report Of the directors in addition to the
iISormstion given BY the president and secre-
association It had paid benefits to
tse families of deceased members amounting to
S15, co., and the cost OF carrying 81 500 insurance
ha 4 been hut $13 for the year to each member.
lhe report of tho secretary and treasurer was
relerred to a committee consisting Of Charles
for auditing. The amendments to the constitu-
ton recommended by the president were referred
TO q committee composed of Edwin OBoyle, of
Terre Haute; James A. Schelling, Of Lafayette,
and George w. Geiger, of Indianapolis.
The election or officers for the next year, in
which there was much spirited interest mani
tested, resulted as follows:
President-C. w. Norman, of Indianapolis.
Vice presidents-Charles w. Bridges, of In
dianapolis; A. J. Barclay, Of Evansville; 2. I:
Sirnger. of Fort Wayne; Edwin OBoyle, of
Terre Haute; Joseph A. Schilling, of Lafayette;
w. J. Robbie, of Richmond George S. Hargan, of
Madison; John F. Crsed of New Albany; w. s.
Stoddard, OF Vincennes, and George p. Wash
burne, of Logansport
Secretary and Treasured. W. Coffin, of In
dianapolis
Delegates to the National Convention-James
r. Ross Of Indianapolis; John A. Dean, of Chi
cago; w. ]. Robbie. Of Richmond, and Charles
Haberd, of Evansville
Directors-George w. Geiger, Charles Wells,
Bruce Carr, W. e. Vanarsdel and George W.
White, of Indianapolis.
The amendments to the constitution recon-
mended by the president were adopted but the
proposition to admit members under forty was
defeated.
A banquet was given the members of the asso
cation at the Grand Hotel at 2 o'clock. There
three tables extending the full length Of the
dining hall, attractively decorated with flowers.
A delectable menu in ten courses, was served,
and music for the occasion was fur
nished by string band The toast mas
ter was Mr. Carey Mcpherson, who welcomed
the guests. in few appropriate words, stating
that although contentious sometimes arise be-
tween commercial travellers in the relations of
competition. they are harmonious at the end of
their days labor, and q strong fraternai feeling
exists among them