The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-03-10

Presidents and Managers Hold Sessions for
Four Days-Strife Between Union and
Non-Union Companies to BE Healed If
PossibIe-Fire Marshal system Favored
Postal Clerks Start west-Missouri
Pacific Stockholders Chicago Retail
Merchants - Woodmen of the World
dish.Americans- Ore Pool
st. Louis, March 9.-The Western Fire
Insurance union, composed of presidents
and managers of large insurance COM
panies, met in semi-annuaI convention
here today for a four days session. \
committee appointed at the last conven-
lion has been in session here for several
days preparing a report TO be made az
the convention. The committee has also
prepared several papers TO be read, show
ing the condition of fire insurance bust
ness in large cities, with plans for rene
dying evils of the business.
The most important question 10 be dis
cussed will be the relation of the union
10 non-union companies. There are
about eighty-five union companies and
seventy-five non-union. The rivalry be-
tween them has often led 10 bitter fights.
spreading over a large territory. At
1ht present convention a plan Will be
adopted 10 secure an amicable adjust
ment OF the differences between union
and non-union companies.
The question OF legislation will also re-
ceive considerable attention. In a num-
Der Of states bills have been introduced
hostile 10 Insurance companies. while in
Others bills encouraging The business are
being considered. The committee on leg
islation, whose report viii be made to-
ward the close OF the convention, will
advance this as an argument for the al
lance Of all Insurance companies, union
and n0n-union.
The fire marshal system VIII be con-
sidered by the convention. This system
IS in vogue in several of the eastern
states, and an unsuccessful effort was
made in Missouri 10 get law for the ap-
pointment OF fire marshal and his dep
uties. whose duty ii should be 10 investi-
gate every fire, holding an inquest in due
form, With jury and witnesses. and
making an official report. The insur-
Rnce companies are in favor Of the idea.
as they believe /; would greatly prevent
incendiarisTn and careless fires.
Prominent insurance men are present
rs delegates from Chicago. New York.
Hartford, Conn; Philadelphia. Omaha.
Detroit, Louisville, Cincinnati. Provi-
hence, R. l.; Atlanta. Ga; Erie, Pa; Day
ton. O., and Newark. y. J.
The convention was called - order q :
the southern hotel whore the sessions
were held behind closed doors.
STOCKHOLDERS MEET.
ST Louis, No, March 9.-The annual
meeting OF the stockholders of the Mis-
souri, Pacific railroad was held here to-
day. The report for the year ending
December 81. 1896. shows deficit Of
sl.26l,7s1. The total income OF the rail-
road for the time specified was 81. 053.-
AZ, while the charges against this sum
amounted 10 S7,Sl4SSs. The gross earn
;ngs were se2.oli9 $50. while the operst-
ing expenses were s1s,i9l.S24. As COM
pared with the previous year the ac-
counts showed net decrease OF ss7l =
ga The report says the net earnings
would have shown an increase but for
the substitution OF steal bridges for
thoss OF other materials, a work which
has been extensively carried on during
the last year. Passenger traffic stats