The San Francisco call., 1895-07-18
naming is the Firemans Fund, which
owns the Mutual

naming is the Fireman's Fund, which
owns the Mutual.
The companies that have withdraw
under the fire of rate-cutting are the Sur
of San Francisco, American of New York
Firemen's Glrard OF Philadelphia, 4Mer
chants of New Jersey, Niagara of New
York, Agricultural of New York. Delaware
of Philadelphia, Fireman's of Maryland
Mutual of New York. Northwestern o.
Farragut, Traders Of Chicago, United
Firemen's of Williamsburg City, Franklin
of Philadelphia. Glen Falls of New Y York
and the United States companies have
ceased writing business, or, in other words
suspended in California. Their with
drawal takes millions of capital out of the
insurance field in San Francisco. The Sun,
American. Niagara and Northwestern took
risks as high as $4,000. the Mutual of New
York issued as high as $4,000, while the
rest were limited to $250O each on any one
risk.
With such condition before the general
managers in San Francisco discussions
were frequently held with view to form
ing compact Yesterday Butler & Hal
dan and Hugh Craig sent out circular let
ters to the managers and general agents on
the question of combining.
Mr.. Craig's letter was a characteristic
dOCQluclly WllCI lCflCWo VIC AiOAA uhNC
troubles and suggests remedies in g prac-
tical manner as follows:
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT,
NEW ZEALAND INSURANCE Company, {
SAN FRANCISCO, July 16, 1882
don't want to play in your yard;
/ don't like you any more;
You'll be sorry when you see me
Sliding down my cellar door.
You can't holer down our rain-barrel,
You can't climb our appe-tree:
don't want to play in your yard
If you won't be good to me.
To Managers and Agents, San Fruncisco--DEAR
STR: The lines above quoted appear to me to
very aptly describe the stupid and uncalled-f for
condition in the fire insurance business in San
Francisco at this writing, and l am free to con-
fess that for my part am sick and tired of it.
the Of the ass three months
given opportunity for their qualification.
In the meantime, sufficient evidence has
been obtainable as to the facts and the where
abouts of bad faith which brought about the
recent lamentable suspension of rates. / think
/ voice the sentiments OF the business com
munity of San Francisco in saying that the
commercial interests of the State would hail
with pleasure cessation of the present insur-
ance warfare, and certainly our Portland rep
resentatives are to be commended in discard
ing the bad example which we have set them.
/ wot1ld therefore suggest that the time is
ripe for consideration of the Interests of the
stockholders OF our companies, looking to a re.
organization which will, If possible, secure re.
form on some OF the folioWlng points: Uniform
rates; cash for premiums on presentation Of
policies; compensation of agents, and delivery
of policies and collection of premiums through
d clearinghouse.
If. in your opinion, the drastic applications
from which the companies we represent have
recently suffered have gone far enough, you
will do me the honor of SO stating by writing
across the face of this communication Eyes" or
"no," and returning it to this Office. II . ma
iority of the answers are in the affirmative
will ask D. j. Staples Esq. to call meeting of
the managers and agents of fire companies do
ing business in San Francisco to consider the
question OF reorganization Yours faithfully,
HUGH CRAIG, manager.
Butler & Haldan's circular states plainly
that "it will soon be impossible to avoid
fully sharing the consequences which have
arisen unless an attempt is made to stem
the It'd e of demoralization.'