The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-04-12
LIFE UNDERWRITERS
Entertain Maine Newspaper Men at
Dinner Last Evening.

Our profession mas never nau q more SteaQ-
fast friend than the newspapers" said Pres
ident Anderson of the Life Underwriters
Association at the Preble House last even
ing And this expression was substantiated
in the splendid manner in which they en-
deavo-ed to entertain their guests of the
evening, the press Of the state of Maine.
There were between twenty-five and thirty
gentlemen present representing the leading
life insurance companies of the country and
the journals Of Portland. Formality was
ruled out of order and as a result most cor
dial and pleasant evening was passed; /;
each gentleman of the association taking one
of the press representatives in hand to make
him enjoy his dinner to the utmost.
The following were present:
w. II. Anderson, Col. +. N. Dow of the
Evening Express, James Sinkinson, j. B.
Bracket. j. o. Smith, Somerset Reporter !;
II. N. Fairbanks of Bangor, ID. NJ. Holman,
Express; Geo. S. Rowell. Advertiser; E. II.
Elwell, Jr., Transcript; j. I. boyle, Express /;
Geo. B. Bagley. Telegram; V. Richard Foss'
j. P. Stevens, Geo. l.. Barrows. Argus; Aug.
Fl. Ford, Lyman Fl. Nelson, PRESS; c. f.
Dunlap, Geo. P. Dewey, ]. F. Phillips, John
Kenyon.
The menu card was unique affair repre-
senting copy of "The Evening Record "and
attached to a minute newspaper file; while
the dishes and viands were of most palata-
BILE kind.
To commence the post prandial exercises
President Anderson welcomed the guests Of
the evening in cordial manner and hoped
fhax uanld q nlaacant auaniuO
N soSaSO insurance Com
missioner Smith. Mr.. Smith said he felt a
assis st seins II IN
OF those on the one hand who knew all
about the science of insurance and on the
other those who were supposed to knew ev-
ererything else that was worth knowing.
Continuing Mr.. Smith said:
Life insurance in Maine may be worthy of
our attention. Twenty life companies are au-
thOriZed to do business in Maine on the level
premium plan. These companies wrote dur
ing the year 1889 in the State $3.50 policies, a
gain of 565 over the number written in 1885,
The amount written was So, ,145, ,497, a gain of
1,108, ,424 over the business of 1888, a gain
of nearly % per cent. in the number CT poll
cies, and 27 per cent in the amount written.
This is the largest amount in one year since
1873. The increase of 1888 over the business
of 1887 was at much larger ratio--an ex-
bldOluludIy luCLcdSO VI W D6T ceuL. upon
risks written and GO per cent. in the number
Of policies.
The number of life policies in force in
Maine December 31st last was 16,4l8, a net
gain OF 1,416 over the number in force one
year earlier These policies cover S26, ,276,
033 insurance, an increase of So, ,653, ,710 over
the amount in force one year earlier. There
| fore the net increase for the year 1889 was a
little above 10 per cent. This amount of in
surance cost the people Of Maine in gross
,f.r.,a hafv.r 4 ~ -
amount invested in life insurance in 1888.
| These losses and claims paid on policies for
| the year was $685. ,512, an increase OF $685.
| 423 upon the amount paid in 1888.
These figures indicate that the insurance
business in Maien is in healthy condition
| enjoying healthy growth. What is the pros
| pect in the years in the near future may be a
| pertinent question. With but 49, ,418 pOlici ss
written In state having q population of
626,OO0, it would seem there is opportunity to
are an intelligent people as well as thrifty,
| and have money for many purposes, includ-
| ing Western and Southern investments, and
| they have money to be invested in life insur-
| ance. The increasing number that have
taken out policies during tie years past
| is proof of this. If one in ten Of insurable
| men in the state as a whole have bought life
| policies, our life insurance solicitors ought
| to be encouraged to go after the other nine,
| Lack of space prevents the publication OF
more of the interesting facts and figures pre-.
sented by Mr.. Smith.
| Col. Dow was the next speaker. He said
that he had almost unconsciously and GER
tainly unintentionally slipped into position
| where his name was used in connection with
newspapers. He thought. however, that II
the newspapers could stand it he could and
| only wished they were as proud of his con-
nection with that fraternity as he was.
| He was at somewhat. of a loss to under
stand why the newspaper men had become
the guests of the association, for If they
| wished for advertising the best way would
be to give them each aud all a paid up policy
Col. Dow told number Of pleasing anec-
dotes concerning life insurance
| and said he had found the
best way to get rid of a life insurance agent
was to pull out doctors certificate stating
that he was subject to heart disease.
Mr.. George s. Rowell followed, thanking
the association for their kind hospitality.
He agreed with Mr.. Smith when he said that
the two professions both demanded men Of
sterling qualities. Certainly neither had
use for old men in their dotage or young men
of inexperience.
Other brief but interesting speeches were
made by George L. Barrows, FL. N. Fair
banks, l.. III. Nelson, j. u. Bracket, who
said life insurance had now become a neces-
sity to almost everybody, F. f. Phillips, v
Richard Foss, j. Z. Stevens, 2. +. Dunlap,
James Sinkinson and d. M. Holman.
The press men were all greatly pleased
with their kindly treatment and the evening
thus made one to be remembered.
|