Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-02-15
A GOOD DETECTIVE.
How Insurance Agents Head Off Pre-
varicating Customers.
SECRECY In REAL ESTATE DEALS.
Petroleum Again Falls Short of Reaching
ing the Coveted Dollar Line.
VARIATIONS OF THE STOCK MARKET

Insurance agents have the business down
to fine point 1t is next to impossible to
deceive them. By means of colored maps
they can at glance tell the conditions and
surroundings OF every piece of property in
the two cities and suburbs-whether it is
brick, frame or compost, dwelling, factory
or stable, with the kind of roof and other
features which are necessary for the under
writer to know. The DISPATCH represen-
tative examined several volumes of the maps
yesterday. They are elaborately gotten up and
are as accurate as it is possible to make them.
They cost about $40 voume.
Two or three incidents Of recent occurrence
may be cited to illustrate the value of these
maps in detecting Misrepresentation on the
part of applicants for insurance. An Allegheny
man made application to a Wood street under
writer for $1,000 policy. He was requested to
describe his property. When he had finished
the underwater turned to his colored map,
looked up the property in question, and prompt
ly told his customer that he had made several
important Misrepresentation. He had given
an incorrect description of the roof He had
stated that the house was of brick throughout
whereas the rear portion was frame. The sur
roundings had also been incorrectly stated.
The Aleghenian, finding he was cornered,
frankly acknowledged his error, but palliatedt the
otfense by saying he didn't think it would
make any difference. Another man repre-
sentcd his premises as free from dangerous en-
vironments A glance at the map showed that
within few feet of his coal shed were num-
Der of old wooden buildings belonging to
foundry. The latest instance was that Of a
suburban gentleman who said his house had a
slate roof. The map showed that it was of
shingles These maps are the best detectives
in the world," said the gentleman who had
them In charge.
The Real Estate Exchange project is coming
to head by easy stages. 1t is the general
opinion that it will be 60. At meeting of
the general committee at the office of Thomas
Jiggett subcommittee was appointed to
draw up plan of procedure and issue call to
all the real estate men of the city to come to-
gether and take definite action IN the matter.
This meeting will be held some time next week
probably Monday or Tuesday. One of the
propositions that will be considered at this
meeting will be in relation to the selection of a
building suitable for the purposes of the ex-
change Some propose to buy one on Fourth
avenue-its location they desire withheld at
. present-and remodel it to conform to the plan
they have drawn up. They think they could
do this at less expense than to put up new
building.
s'The real estate business is far more active
than published reports show it to be-" said a
prominent Third avenue dealer yesterday. "a
large number OF sales are not reported" he
continued, simply because the buyers or
sellers-sometimes both-object on account of
the not6riety the announcement would give
them. l have sold, perhaps, $4,000 worth of
property within the past week or ten days that
the public knows nothing about. l would be
willing to publish the facts. but must obey the
wishes of my customers. know of suburban
deal involving over 200 acres of ground that
has been on the string for some time and may
come to a head any day, but the agent who is
handling it does not make the fact known, lest
it injure his business. For myself l think all
deals when consummated should be made pub
lie. They would make big showing and add
immensely to the prestige of the city in a busi-
ness point of view. There is less secrecy in our
business than there formerly was, and think
the time is coming when everything will be
done openly"