Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-03-16
TALK ABOUT RATES.
1ARrrF ASSOCIATION COMMITTEES
AND LOCAL AGENTS.
The whole Matter Of Insurance
Troubles Talked Over, But No Def
nite Action Agreed Upon-Gossip
About the situation.

The parties to the triangular insurance
war have not yet signed treaty OF
peace. though II may be said that peace
negotiations have been initiated between
two OF the factions-the southeastern
Tarir Association and the local Board
of Underwriters. As to the third FAC
tion--the Incorporating companies
they are. or rather were, not In it-that
is, were not in the preliminary peace
movement or convention.
Whether the preliminary steps or con-
vention will result In restoring the en-
tente cordiale and establishing
modus vivendi Is a question that
none interested were able to answer last
night: but 1t Is not at least competent
to say that both sides were hopefui.
The Executive Committee OF the as
ISOLATION met in the Office OF the secre-
tary, Mr.. witherspooD, yesterday MORN
ing at 10 o'clock. and. after long session.
decided TO invite the members OF tne
Board OF Underwriters and the agents VI
the non-co-operatlng companies TO meet
them In conference at 2:30 Z. M.
The conference was held at the once
OF the Virginia State Insurance Company,
ard all the members OF the Executive
Committee OF the association and the
members OF the Board of Underwriters
generally attended. The agents OF the
non-co-operating companies did not ac-
cept the invitation.
A GOOD DEAL OF TALK.
The conference lasted for some two
hours. and after Il was over Dispatch
reporter interviewed representatives or
both sides, but was very little wiser wheh
| he was through than when he COM
| menced. The only explicit statement ne
| could get from either side was that
| there had been a good deal OF Taking
but nothing had been done.
Mr.. Eggleston. president OF the associa-
| ton, said the committee had met mere
| to look into the situation. and hear what
the agents had to say. The representa-
| tives Of the board, when asked If they
| had lodged any formal complaint OF
| grievances with the association. replied
| that they had not; they had simply talked
| over the matter.
Soon after the conference adjourned the
| committee again went into session to con-
slider what hid transplred In the CONFER
| ence and after an hour spent In denbera-
| ton adjourned until 10 o'clock this morn
/ in.
| With reference to this last meeting MT.
| EggleStOn SAID no COnCluSiou idh ~"
reached. Various stages OF the situation
had been considered. but there was no
thing to give to the public. When any
| thing definite had been arrived AT IL
| would be given out
| OBJECTS OF THE ASSOCIATION.
| The Southeastern Tariff Association. he
| said, was organized for the purpose or
| improving the efficiency OF fire depart
| ments and requiring property Owners to
comply with certain rules and make GER
tain betterments that would reduce risks
| and thus reduce tariffs.
| II Is understood that one Of the grew
| ances of the agents IL that the associa-
| ton has reduced their commissions, but
| IL Is not known whether this matter was
| brought up in the conference. Incident
| ally Mr. Eggleston remarked that when
! the Executive Committee adjourned at
| Atlanta IL adjourned to meet here to con-
slider not only the local trouble. but other
| questions that had arisen in this terri
! tory.
1 The main issue here. as has been set
| forth in the Dispatch. Is the action OF
| the Board of Underwriters In agreeing TO
waive all rules and rates In competing
| with non-co-operating companies. Both
| the tariff association and a large majori-
| ~ OF the companies have refused to rati-
| fy this. and 1t is understood that Mr..
| Witherspoon has directions not TO stamp
and forward any policy the terms Of
which are not in accordance with the
rules OF the association. But, az stated
yesterday, there has been little or no
cutting of this sort