New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-26
THE REPORT NOT ADOPTED.
A UNANIMOUS VOTE NOT OBTAINED AT
YESTERDAYS MEETING OF THE
TARIFF ASSOCIATION

The Executive and Rate Committees Of the Tariff
Association Of New-York. comprising the joint
committee to which at It's meeting last week the
association gave authority to revise fire rates gen
orally. and referred resolution regarding the fix
ing OF a % per cent commission on "unrated busl-
ness" with a suggestion 10 the necessity Of
favorable action that point. presented its re-
port at the meeting yesterday morning Of the
Tariff Association which was largely attended
The report silent on the matter Of revision OF
rates. but the Joint committee unanimously urged
the adoption OF a % per cent commission for "un-
rated business" and such regulation OF branch
Offices should insure the compensation of up
town agents upon uniform basis.
A letter from W. s. Banta, who Is the agent OF
several companies was read by the president In
this letter Mr.. Banta objected 10 the principal
points IN the Joint Committees report. He said
he was opposed TO limiting the brokerage to Is
per cent. a scheme which the association in its
most prosperous days had never felt strong enough
10 adopt. because Of its admitted nexpediency.
while the Continental stood ready to take advan-
tage Of what would be practically abandonment
10 It OF the smaller non-rated rsKs uptown. He
had no faith In the gain To the members or the
association by the accession Of a few OF the less
important non-tarlf companies. which were
ready to get in under the shelter OF an association
which they had done much to destroy. lie was
also opposed TO the suppression OF the SUB agen-
cies and believed that In the few where i'm
rroper practices were traced charged 10 the
branch Offices they could easily be prevented by
the main Office which should be called upon to CO.
operate IN A scheme for the regulation. Mr.. Banta
repealed the attempt TO lagd responsibility upon
him for any disaster to the association which
might follow his vote. He convinced that Il
was unwise to sacrifice principle to eKpediency, and
ended his letter with the statement that he would
endedvor TO endure tho false position in which
may be thrust ~ my action
After the reading of tho letter. Mr. Ban'n's rep
reseEtative said that In accordance with his prin
clpas letter. he should be compelled TO vote INST
ager of the Norwich Union made motion that
the sense OF the meeting bA expressed upon the
adoption OF the Joint Committees report. The
ayes and noes called. and all the sixty
port except Mr.. Banta. whose representative voted
In the negative. Each member OF the association,
no matter how many companies he represents. has
one vote and for the adoption OF the report 4
report was laid on the table and the association
adjourned until Tuesday morning. u is under
stood that in the mean time an effort will he made
10 induce MIR. Banta 10 make the vote In favor OF
the Joint Committees report unanimous
After the adjournment a great deal OF feeling
was expressed and the sentiment was general that
unless the report IL adopted IN substance the days
of the Tariff Association are numbered. There
patroI report for the six months ending December
81 1857 showed that. Notwithstanding the fact that
a large majority OF the companies: including the
leaders renor,ed largely decreased receipts, the
romantics represented In Mr. Banta's agency
showed n considera bic increase At the meeting on
TUESDAY the matter viii he brought 10 crisis.
MANY o. the representative companies believe that
tho crisis should have been met yesterday. and the
Association should take vigorous measures In self
defence but nobody suggested that the association
should dissolve There was. however, a general
sentiment that unless the report or me JOINT ON
inittee should be adopted the association would not
La