The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-01-03
The California ms uranoe oompany-Meri

it furnishes food for reflection.
"OLD RELIABLE."
The California Insurance Company-Merit
Comm .nds Success
When taking into account the moneyed
institutions of our city, first and foremost
comes the insurance interests. The most
prominent factor in the results shown by
our Coast Underwriters of to-day is un-
questionably the California Insurance Com
pany, or as 1t is Familiarity termed by those
who have from time to time turned to it for
indemnity, the "Od Reliable" Organized
In February. 1861, it has passed through
many trials and successes until to-day 1t
stands at the head with its well-earned re-
putatlon for honorable dealing paid-uD
capital OF 100000, assets of 81, 2S4679 "a.
and surplus to policy holders of 1888. 2S6 d.,
The principal projectors of this company
were Z. L. Hopkins and DIR. Samuel Merritt
ana the corporation began business as
marine company with a SubScrlh ed capital
Oh 100000, $4,000 of which was paid up.
AT nrst the bylaws were very stringent.
but more liberal policy was soon adopted.
In 1864 they re-incorpOrated and commenced
fire business. The capital stock was in
creased, first to 100000 and then to its
present figure 100000. In 1871 marine
branch was established in New York, but
subsequently closed, and in 1881 they began
the transaction of fire business in the
East Figures carry conviction. and an
evidence OF this companys phenomenal
success may be gained when we consider
that in 1861 IT'S entire premium income was
but SAC, 7o4 "a, and to-day 1t is over S80o,000
This gratifying result has been brought
about by business sagacity and shrewd
management. The best fnanciers OF this
Coast have always been found on the Cali
f0rnia'S directorate. At present the board
consists Of 5. c. BigelOw, President Savings
and Loan Society,"; John birmingham,
president California Powder Works; Daniel
Meyer, banker and capitalist; A. w. Scholie,
capitalist; ". j. Bryan, Superintendent
Occidental and Oriental Steamship Com
pany; Henry Wadsworth, treasurer OF
Wells, Fargo & Co.'S Bank; E. j. lie Breton,
President French Savings and Loan So
ciety; John r. Spring, capitalist, and l.. l..
BrOmweli, President OF the company. The
above list is recognized as composed Of men
possessing acumen, skill and experience; in
fact, own all the elements that command
success. Technical skill as well as financial
ability has placed the California in The lead
ing position among American underwriters.
The officers of this old reliable company
are noted for their underwriting ability and
for their faithful, careful and prudent man
agement. They stand pre- mlnently forward
to-day IN the insurance world. It's agents are
enthusiastic and careful and consult the
DbNI INTERESTS Oh IHt COMpdHy anu It's
patrons. In speaking Of it chiefs mention
must be made of President Bromwel. Sec
rotary Fowler, Marine Secretary Nj. A.
Newell and SUI erlntendent of Agencies
Otey. All of these officers are noted for
their ability ana have long since gained
their sphere in their different departments.
MeSsrs. Bament and Burnett are the
managers of the comDany's central depart
ment, having fourteen States under their
jurisdiction. Words of praise could add
nothing 10 their well-knOwn regulations as
insurance men. Their business this year
viii approximate 100000. Nathan and
Kingston, managers of the c0mpany's San
francisco or city department, have for so
many years occupied leading and honorable
positions in this community as to require 30
praise. They stand at the top of the tree.
. The other leading agents of the company
on the Pacific Coast all occupy enviable
positions in the insurance and financial
world. Their names are sufficient guarantee
of the care with which the conservative
company's business is conducted. There
is Roberts, Austin 81 Darby at San Jose,
Brown q Atkinson of Seattle, Conner d
Holbrook Of WatsGnville, Frank Hickman
of Sacramento Hugh Anderson If Salt
Lake, Kelly II Homer OF Portland, Paul b.
Gaylord of Denver. c. w, Filkins of River
side, Kremer. Campbell q Co., of Los An
geies, Judge E. b. Whitman Of WalIa WaNa
prevents our publishing any more OF the
names, but what better guarantee could
the public have than this array of names?
vi course, the proper conduct oil business
of snch magnitude calls for a vast amount
of machinery" as it may fittingly be
called, for in the Caifornia's office the work
follows settled lines with ciocklike regu-
larity. Its business is first divided into de-
partments, those again being subdiyided
until the responsibility for details is indi-
yidualiZed. The Marine Department is be-
yOnd question perfect. The Department of
Account has been reduced TO a science.
They are prompt in payment of their losses
and their flies are filed with testimonials.
The management Of the California is cool,
conservative attention being paid to the haz-
ards, physical, moral and c0nflagratl0n. of
every risk presented, coupled with frequent
and thorough inspections. Nothing sue
ceeds like success" but nothing commands
success but merit. These words tell the en-
tire story of this great company's permanent
prosperity.