Evening star., 1896-10-07
Life Insurance Underwriters Hear
About Free Silver Coinage.
CHEAP DOLLAR TO SETTLE RISKS
Annual Convention of the Associa-
ton at the Arlington.
PROCEEDINGS THIS MORNING

When Mr.. II. s. Caller of Boston, the pres
ident of the National Association of Life
Underwriters, raped for order this morn-
ing, and TIE seventh annual convention of
the association was in full swing, the ban
quet room of the Arlington was well filed
with as fine appearing body of business
men is often gathered together in one
place About the various groups represent
ing local and state associations lowered
that air of push and prosperity that always
seems to characterize the individual in5ur-
sEce man. They were from all parts of the
country, and they gathered with one partic-
ular object in view, to discuss the present
status of life insurance business. They
krow why they here, and they lost
little time in getting down to work. On the
presidents table was a big bunch of chrys-
anthemums. Everything else was cold
hard business
This is but one phase of the convention,
however. After working hours the dele
gates are in for good time, and the local
&c mIn.ttees are prepared to give it to them.
ms afternoon they have all made a pIl-
gIimage to Mount Vernon, which is to he
followed by an oid-fash. oned oyster roast
at Marshall Hail. Tomorrow afternoon
they will be shown the sights of interest
about the capital, and Friday evening the
convention Will terminate with a banquet
a. the Arlington, gwen in honor of the
NSASSateS ny lhe IleilDeIS VI the
local association.
The opening session of the convention
tiiiS morning was an unusually interesting
one The annual address of the pres den.
vas presented. but even more important
than that was pa per which was read by
MI William I. Standen of New York the
actuary of the United States Life Insur-
ance Company. and one of the best posted
men on the general subject of life insur-
aIce. his subject was The Effect OF Pos
sible Free Silver Legislation on Life lnsur-
ahce contracts. 1t was a very able pre-
Sentation of the case, and his ESSAY would
De decided acquisition to the sound money
literature OF the cam pa gn. In it he point
ed out the effect that free silver would
nave, net only upon the companies, but
upon policy holders well, and his paper
would make interesting reading for every
man VINO mas invested any part of his
earnings in life insurance.
Opening Proceedings.
Ine convention was opened with brief
prayer by Rev. j. A. Aspinwall of this city
This was followed by a few words of well
come by Mr. d. S. Hendre ks. the chairman
OF the executive committee in charge of the
arrangements for the convention. In con-
c-Usion, he introduced Mr. Simon Wolf. who
spoke at greater length, and rendered the
hoSp!tailtles of the city to all the visitors
he gave them, too. an idea of what would
DC done TOR their entertainment. and gave
item to understand that Washington
otSbt TO be particularly pleasant place
for convention of life Insurance men in
view OF the fact that the city's streets are
very wide and policemen are few and far
between along about or 3 o'clock in the
morning.
Then came song by the Apollo Quartet
OF tpis city. The words and music of the
song caught the delegates in a soft spot
VINO INSISTED upon encore 1t was writ
ten by MIR. George w. Hatch of the Insur-
ance Age, New York, and was Dedicated Ia
the National Association.
The Presidents Address.
Alter the calling of the roll Presiden;
Ben s. Calef delivered his annual address
to tRe convention. In the course of his ad-
dress Mr.. Calef said:
Life insurance embodies one of the great
principles of modern times. the develop
ment of individual thought and work
through association. That isolated life Is
feeble and restricted. and that association
Is essential TO the development of all the
powers and possibilities of the individual is
an aIm1tted axiom of social science Nc
one who carefully traces the rapid progress
OF civilization during the past century can
fail TO see that it is due quite as much tt
the skiliful organization of combined effor,
as TO the marvellous inventions of materia
science.
he discovery that when two men worl
| together the result of their united labor /:
| considerably more than twice what they
1
| cret of many of the most sgnifican
| changes and achievements of the presen
age. 1t is not alone the wonders of steam
and electricity, but the invincible power o.
| association, which drives the modern world
And as time goes on. who can prophesy tn,
ultimate development of the resources thai
| still lie hidden in this great human force
But we will not strive to peer into the
dim possibilities of the future. Surely in tn,
| living present. in which we are to act nc
profession manifests more clearly and be
| neticentiy than life insurance the powe;
and value of federated life. We stand her,
today as its repfe feseHtatives. We have com,
| together. drawn by the magnetism of &
common work and purpose, from every sec
ton OF our great country. Let US hold our
! selves to our highest ideals. and to clear
er CONSCIOUSNESS OF right. and Of mutua
| responsibility. Let us hold the institution
| to its best principles, and press forward
| TO make 1t the expression Of the highest in
| te!hgence. energy and sympathy of II,
| great heart OF human society, from which
| 1t has sprung"
Insurance and Free Silver.
Then came the most Interesting feature O
the morning-the reading of Mr. Standen'
paper on one phase of the free silver cues
ton. 1t was listened to with the closes
| attention and was enthusiastically applaud
| ed. MIR. Standen said In part:
| In speaking to you of the evil tha
| threatens the grand Institution of Efe in
| surance. by bringing into our horizon, how
| ever vague, a danger of possible deprecia
| ton In the morey standard of the country
l absolutely repudiate the narrow g-oun
! Of mere partisanship: justifying myself b
| the ever-present necessity for caution ir
| posed upon the custodians of enormo.,
sums of trust funds. 1 must, therefore. as
| you distinctly to bear in mind that it
| rot as a politician, still less as a partisan
| that l lay before you certain considera
| tIODS. which. honest n
| workers in the field Of life insurance
| conceive IT to be your duty. and my dut,
and the duty Of every life insurance of1cia
to carefully weigh and thoughtfully diges
| THE regular old line life Insurance com
| paIies are today under obligations amount
ing to some $. 7OO.OO0OOO dependent on cor
tiogenc.es of LIE and death-the co-opers
| tive. assessment and fraternal societie
have obligations also Of between s. 100000
| coo and $1,000, ,OOO.OO similarly dependen
| ! he REGULAR GONNA MEG haze alraad,. aaa.