The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-06-10
FARMER AID FARMER.
Association OF Township Mutual In
surance Companies In Session.

About sixty representative farmers from all
over Minnesota met at II Washington ave-
nue. north yesterday in the annual session Of
the state association of township mutual in
surance companies. The association is but
year old, but has had a phenomenal growth
during that time, as the reports of the off,
GERS showed. There are 112 companies in the
state with membership of So, 600, and insur-
ance has been written against fire losses to
the amount of SIS, 1000, eco, and $50 100000 of
this has been written during the past year
A committee on changes of cons tuition and
bylaws was appointed, consisting Of c. E.
Evans, of Maple Grove; d. J. Donhart of
Pipestone, and L. A. Rosing, of Rolingstone.
At the opening of the afternoon session
they reported few minor changes in the form
of the bylaws, which were adopted.
The election of officers followed. The presi-
dent and secretary were reelected and the
following list of officers was chosen: Presi-
dent, j. w. Peterson, of Vasa vice president
James A. Bull, Edna Mills; secretary P. B.
Yates, Madeiia; treasurer Andrew French
Pla1nV1eW; executive committee, F. NJ. Payne
Pipestone; H. w. WadsWorth Madelia: c. E.
Evans, Maple Grove.
Addresses were made during the afternoon
by s. Nj. Owen, who spoke on "Co-operation -
and had many laudatory words in praise of the
farmers movement for cheaper insurance on
the mutual plan. Elmer Dearth, state fire
insurance commissioner, was present and
made brief address. He said that the far
meFs' mutual insurance companies had he
come no small factor in the fire insurance field
IN the state, and the success which has al
tended that class Of companies since the Jaw
providing for their organization in Minnesota
was enacted is really worthy of note especially
since considering the fact that many pal, les
directly interested in insurance business pre-
dicted their failure at the tine OF formation
The president and secretary were elected
delegates to the national mutual insurance con-
vention to be held at Chicago in February.
1896. -
One of the most pleasant and profitable
features OF the convention was the presence
Of two gentlemen from Iowa. who are directly
interested in the mutual insurance problem
and aided greatly by their advice in the DELHI
Grafton or the meeting They were Henry
Wallace, Farmer and Dairyman, of Des
Moines, To-. and w. A. Rutledge, secretary of
the Iowa State Farmers Mutual Hail associa-
ton.
The only point of difference which arose in
the session was about endorsing the work of
the United Township Farmers Mutual Hail
Association Of Minnesota This association
was founded last year at Mankato at the an
nual meeting. 1t has issued during that time
$3.50. 900 worth of insurance and has over 5Oo
members in twenty-five counties in the state.
There was little question among the dee
gates as to the value Of III policies and the
work 1t has accomplished but many thought
that the rival mutual insurance companies
would make fraudulent use of their endorse
ment, as 1t was claimed they had In the past
and hence tnjure the genuine company. F.
M. Payne, of Pipestone, who is the secretary
OF the company, made a vigorous plea in its
behalf, and after speech by Mr.. Rutledge
favoring the endorsement of it, the following
resolution was passed after it had been lost
and then brought up for reconsideration:
Resolved, That all township mutual NE
insurance companies should endeavor to build
up the united Township Mutual Hail Associa-
ton Of Minnesota believing that its success
is ours and for our mutual benefit
Before the convention adjourned an informal
discussion or plan for forming mutual
tornado association was had, but no action was
taken.