davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-09-19
MORE FALSE ALARM.

LAWRENCE, KAS., Sept. 1s.-(Special)
If Webb McNall has benefited the people
by his war on insurance companies the
residents of Douglas county have not felt
the effects. The rates of insurance have
not been reduced here.
A. l.. Seig. ex-mayor and prominent in
sCrance agent, said, You can say for me
that McNan has not done anything to
cheaper insurance or to make the risks
any better. Insurance business has been
better for the companies because of better
times, and for this reason McNall claims
that they are making too much money. He
has not affected rates one way the
other
J. J. Cox said. II have both farm and
city insurance that has been renewed with
in the past year, and the rate is the same.
McNaIl has not helped me any
Simpson Holiister said, II pay the same
for insurance 1 have always paid. Nc
Nall has made an unholy war and he has
not helped me any by it."
Joseph Miles said, II have farm insur
ance and 1 had to change companies be-
cause the one in which 1 was insured
pulled out. The agent gave as his reason,
Too much McNail.'" 8"
All the men interviewed told the same
story, that McNalPs warfare had not done
them any good.
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-09-19
HAIL INSURANCE DOUBLED.

KINSLEY, KAS., Sept. B.-(Special)
The following will show how insurance
rates have been changed in this vicinity:
c. B. D. Colver-"While the efforts of
the Hon. Webb McNaIl to reduce rates of
fire and life insurance throughout the state
of Kansas may have had a telling effect
in other parts of the state, do not notice
any material change here at this point
Marsh &c Bidwell dealers in general mer-
chandise-"We can see no great change in
insurance rates but IL there is any. II Is
this: the fire insurance is higher, there
is less competition"
Misner & Kennedy-"We do not know of
any material difference in changing rates
on life or fire insurance in this locality.
Our insurance rates remain the same ap-
parently."
George ". Watson, postmaster-"His ac-
tion in ruling out mutual hail insurance
companies has made that class of insur-
ance cost the farmers double what it for
merly cost"
A NJ. Merriman-''There has been no
change in either fire or life insurance and
am carrying both lines. cannot answer
for Others"
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-09-19

s1.25. and five years from $50 to 81. and
this is cheaper than the cooperation COM
panieS are furnishing it. There are few
companies soliciting farm insurance.
F. H. Brunner. groceryman-'I renewed
my insurance the other day. and it has
been the same for three years"
W. W. Naylor, druggist-'I just yester-
day renewed my tornado, and the reduc-
ton in premium was So
Walter Talbert. real estate and loan
agent-"There is no change. but the tend
eEcy is upward rather than downward"
]. p. Moore, cashier OF the First Ma
tional bank. said that there was no change
of consequence; that on city risks the rates
are about the same. with an upward tend
ency.
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-09-19
WHAT LEAvENwoRTH MEN SAY.

LEAVENwORTH, Sept. 1S-(special.) J
For the purpose of ascertaining the truth or
falsity of the claim that McNalTs fight
upon insurance companies has been of di-
rect benefit to the people The Journal cor
respondent called upon few of the leading
business men and asked them for their
views upon the subject.
Mr.. Amos Z. Wilson, cashier of the First
National bank, in reply to questions stated
that he could not observe any change in
the rates of the various companies, and as
far as he and the bank was concerned no
benefit had been derived as q consequence
of the fight.
J. W. GRANGER, hardware merchant and
lifelong Democrat-.1 have not been bene-
flied whatever and McNaTl's fight is doing
no good. / have recently placed some in.
find that am paying the same old rate
John Wilson, president of the Great
Western Manufacturing Company, stated
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-09-19
ONLY TORNADO RATES LOWER.

HOLTON, KAS.. Sept. 1S.-(Special) H
C. Tucker shoe dealer-"So far as I know
rates remain about the same. Proximity
to a baker and feed store lent some tend
ency to raise the rate year or SO ago;
otherwise there is no change"
T. C. Mcconnell. editor of the Tribune,
says rates seem to be about the same in
the city as of old.
S. B. McGrew. secretary of the Fair As
sociation-"There is no reduction"
". A Smith, insurance agent-"Tornado
insurance is cheaper, and fire rates on city
property remain the same. but farm rates
lave changed for three years from 81 to
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-09-19
LOWER RATES At WINFIELD.

WINFIELD, KAS.. Sept. 1s.-(Speciai.)
In great many instances rates on fire in
surance have been reduced, and in some
instances raised, noticeably the rates on
tenant farm houses. and on some buildings
in town. Without exception the local agents
seen, some of whom are Democrats, refuse
to give McNall any credit for what reduc
tions there have been. One agent, a DEM
ocsat. said McNall might have in some way
had something to do with 1t, but he con-
demned his method of doing business. The
Clarkson rate book is still used as a basis,
but rates in many instances have been cut
from 10 to 10 per cent. in every instance,
however. by local agents. without instruc-
tions. but afterward affirmed by the COM
panies.
j. j. Brady, department store, said: "Our
insurance rates are materially lower, and
l can attribute the cause to no other source
than the work of McNall. 1 certainly give
McNail the credit for the change"
]. 7. Baden, miller packer and manufac-
turer-"On some of my property l am now
getting Il cheaper rate of insurance than
did two years ago, and on some other prop
erty the rates are higher. Local agents,
after the decision against the Clarkson rate
book, cut the rates, but they have since
been readjusted. and l am now paying
practically the same rates did prior to Mr..
McNalfs career
]. B. Lynn, dry goods-"The rates of in
surance on my property have been mater
tally reduced. and l think McNall deserves
all the credit"
w. C Root, boots and shoes-'I am pay
ing the same rates ! always did. If McNall
has caused a reduction in rates 1t has not
benefited me.
NJ. Hahn, dry goods-"We are getting
lower rate of insurance. but McNall had
nothing to do with it. 1t was the result of
Il readjustment on account of change in
the building"
4 w. II. Coffin hardware-"I am getting
cheaper rate of insurance, but L do not
know who or what IS responsible for IL.
Mr. McNall may be entitled to the credit,
or It may be the result of competition"
John CIarkson. of the Alexander Milling
any. We are now paying the same rates We
were TWO years ago. In the readjustment
in 1886 our rates were arbitrarily raised,
but have since been reduced to the old ba-
sis by the companies themselves
c. F. Holmes, miller, grocer and livery
mani am not getting any cheaper rates
of insurance and L do not expect to under
McNalls administration. l think McNall
has made foolish fight. in most instances
to the injury of the state
John e. Pickard, boots and shoes-"1 am
getting a lower rate of insurance, the re-
suit of competition. Just who is RESPONSE
BILE for the condition from which this COM
petition resulted / can't say"
NJ. Il. Kerr, dry goods-''l am not getting
any cheaper insurance, but the owner of
the building / occupy has, and | think
will. l think McNall is responsible for the
reduction
w. H. Day, hardware-"I am getting
cheaper insurance than I ever did, and |
think McNall did 1t. If the present admin
istration is reelected l expect the rates to
be still lower"
OF the above Mr.. Brady, Mr.. Lynn and
Mr.. Day are Democrats: the others are
Republicans.
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-09-19
SAME AS TEN YEARS AGO.

MANHATTAN. KAS., Sept. 1s.-(Spe-
cial) Insurance rates have not been
reduced here. The situation is covered by
W. E. Smith as follows:
"The rate has not been reduced single
cent. Web McNalls influence in this mat
ter has not weighed anything. 1 pay the
same to-day per 800 that / paid ten years
ago. He has succeeded in driving out some
ing the competition, which will have the
tendency to raise the rate. Members OF
these companies have great influence as
business men in the East and his way in
dealing with them has to some degree i'm
paired our credit as business men of Kan
sas. He has not made insurance cheaper
for US and has succeeded IN lowering our
credit in the estimation Of Eastern business
men"
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-09-19
HAS NOT HELPED FRANKFORT.

FRANKFORT, KAS., Sept. 1s-(SpeciaD.
Joseph Shumate, insurance agent-'No
change in rates of fire or life insurance in
old line companies. In tornado, rates are
less"
G. H. Thomas, grocer-"My insurance has
not been increased-fire or life-in past two
years. Insured in old line companies"
George Helliker, of Helliker Bros, gener-
al merchandise-"My insurance policies
have not been affected by McNalrs admin
istration. Insured in old line companies"
William Holthum. groceries-"The rate of
insurance on my stock of goods is a little
less than a year ago. Insured in old line
companies
Henry Kennedy. furniture and carpets
MY insurance Is less than one year ago.
Am insured in old line companies"
T. F. Rhodes. bank-"There Is no change
in rates with US in fire or life insurance.
Insured in old line companies
L. V. B. Taylor. druggist-"There Is no
change in my rate of Insurance.
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-09-19
NO THANKS DUE TO M,NALL.

OLATHE, KAS., Sept. 1s.-(Speciall
Since Webb McNall's speech here last week
praising himself for the great good he had
done for the insuring public, The Journal
correspondent has interviewed some of the
business men of this city, and in not a
single instance has he found a cent reduc-
ton in rates that can be attributed to Nc
Nall.
]. w. Norvell, manager for Swofford
Bros. Dry Goods Company, says: The
only reduction in rates We have had for
many years was caused about two years
ago by a frame warehouse burning near our
building"
Whitney & Armsby, druggists-"We have
had no reduction in rates for many years.
although We think We are entitled to a
lower rate"
s. e. Mackey, F. r. Lanter and Hodges
Bros, all in the lumber business, say: We
began several years ago to write some of
our business in the Lumberman's Insurance
Company, and by SO doing the old line
companies are offering US a better rate
than before to regain our business
j. H. Dow, merchant-"The only, reduc-
tion l have been able to get has been on
account of the burning out of frame build
ings adjoining and their replacement by
brick. The agents reduced the rates accord
ingly, but nothing due to McNall."
NJ. G. Miller. who owns about block of
buildings-"My reductions have all come
from frame buildings being. replaced by
brick. Nothing from McNall, but merely
from voluntary reductions by the agents.
H. c. Livermore, manager for the John
son County Cooperative Association, which
carries probably $1,000 insurance. is in
Omaha this week, but his rates continue the
same.
Duffy G. Kean, furniture. say they have
paid the same rate for years.
Other firms were not visited because The
Journal correspondent has personal
knowledge that not a single reduction has
been caused by McNalls actions in the in
surance department. Many are ready to
praise McNan if they could see any fruits
of his pretended good works. but as yet
nothing has come home TO any of them in
the way of real benefit.
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-09-19
M,NALL HAS NOT LOWERED RATES.

BALDWIN, KAs., Sept B-(Special)M
]. Stickel & Co.. book dealers-"We are
paying at the same rate as before McNall
went in. We see no difference in any
way"
w E. Cary. drugsist-'T pay the same as
before McNall went in
]. Z. Hair. cashier Baldwin State bank
Rates on all kinds of insurance are the
same. There Is no change"
II. ]. Black. ieweler-"I see no change
At least my pocketbook does not know it"
W. +. Osborn. druggist-'I have not
paid less at any time since McNalI has
been commissioner"
II. Hurbert. lunch and con nsecttoner-"Am
paying at same rate as beSo1e"
s. Lake. grocer-'I see no change. We
pay the same old rate"
Hair & Miller, hardware-"Our rate has
been the same for several years"
C. p. Ives. lumber-"Our rate has not
changed in the past seven years.
Flora e Dening. grocers"We have not
noticed any change either way"
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-09-19
WHY HIAwATHA RATES Arr
LOWER.

HIAwATHA, KAs.. Sept 1s.-(SpecialD
The insurance tariffs in this city do not
fiuctuate with the state insurance commits
sioner. Rates have been lowered somewhat
within the past two years for the reason
that the town has most efficient fire de-
partment and first-class system of water
works. New and better buildings have re-
and safer risks the rates have been low
cred: but on the old buildings the rates are
about the same. All of the insurance
agents Of the town are guided by the
Clarkson rate book. although they do not
stick close to it now. and never have done
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-09-19
SAME OLD STORY.

ABILENE, KAS., Sept. 1S.-(Special.) Dill
igent inquiry has failed to find that insur>
ance rates have been lowered in this county
during the past two years. The testimony
of leading business men of all parties and
the insurance agents is that there has been
no change and that the charge is as large
as before McNall began his administration.
These are a few of the expressions used:
F. NJ. Whitlaw, merchant, a strong DEM
ocrat, says-"I have had several proper
ties insured in the past year and have not
same as it was before We had this kind Of
an administration. i hoped there would be
4 reduction, but had not cent.
G.. c. Wyaudt, insurance agent, Repub-
lican-"I have written hundreds of dollars
worth of insurance every month and almost
every week during the past two years. If
was able to find it out. The rates remain
exactly the same except where, owing to
the nature of surroundings, rates on sim
change of exposure, changed. This, of
course, is always being done. The list is,
however, unchanged"
r. H. Seeds, insurance agent, a Demo-
crat-'There has been no change in in.
surance rates. We write the policies at eX-
actly the same rates as two years ago. CON-
ditions being the same. Indeed. some of the
rates are higher than formerly. but it is
due to special causes. The rates on the
whole are unchanged
NJ. II. Malott cashier of the Citizens
bank-'I have written about 800 politics in
the past year and half and there has been
no reduction in rates. l know of but three
reductions, and two were due to changes
in exposure, the other to a keen competition
between companies for the insurance on a
public pudding"
]. B. Case. merchant and one Of the larg-
est property owners in the city, says-"I
have found no reduction on any of my in
surance policies in the past two years. The
boasted reductions of which the Populists
talk are entirely false so far as my expert
ence goes-and I have had good deal of it
in the past twelve months. / have paid
the same rate as formerly and see nothing
to indicate that there is any change in
prospect that will make insurance cheaper
under the present administration"
c. II. Pattison. vice president of the Abb.
lene National bank and county treasurer
Il know of no change in rates. All the
insurance have had in the past two years
has been at the old rate.
Richard Waring, postmaster-"There has
been no reduction in rates. The agents
charge the same as two or three years
ago.
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-09-19

fit from the so-caIled McNan cut in rates,
and do nos krow o. any one who has"
J. NJ. Steele. of the Emi,oria National
bank, both stated that their insurance was
costing just as much as it did before Nc
Nall Was appointed and they could see
no way in which they or any other property
owners had been benefited unless an in
crease in the expense of the state be con-
sidered a saving.
Owen Jones, OF Jones. Eckdall & Haver
said that his firm was paying the same
rate as before the present superintendent
began his war on the insurance people.
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-09-19
SOME REDUCTIONS AT OTTAWA.

OTTAWA, KAS., Sept. 1S.-(Special)
George L. Brown. a druggist, on being
asked whether his insurance rates had
been decreased any during the last year.
said: Yes, sir; they have, but 1 don't
know who. whether Webb McNall did it
or not. But what L paid $3.50 for last year
l got this year for SO. Doing away with
the Clarkson rate is what lowered the
rate. and if McNall did that. then he has
helped me out.
L. W. Dowd, who owns a large furniture
store and much other property, said mis-
rates had not been changed.
Mr.. A. Dobson, of the Bank of Ottawa
II pay less on my mill than i did, but I
don't think McNall had anything 10 do
with the lowering of the rate. There has
been no change in the rates on any of
my other property. The rate at the uni
yersity is the same, l know.
Charles Esterly, secretary of the Ottawa
Hardware Company, said no insurance
rates had been decreased either On their
store or stock.
G. C. Smith. cashier of the First Ma
tional bank. said the rate on the bank
building had remained the same regard
less of what had been claimed by McNall
and his friends.
Mr.. L. B. Peck. who conducts large
grocery store. said his rates had been de-
creased, but 1t was due entirely to local
causes and Webb McNall had never done
anything to relieve his insurance rates.
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-09-19

but those who are fortunate enough to Sc
cure cheap rate error in giving the state
administration the credit for it, II the re-
lation then the reduction would be general,
which IL is not"
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-09-19
RATES HIGH As EVER

PAULA, kAS., Sept. 1S.-(Special) Frank
hoehler, dealer iii harness-'I get no bet
ter rates now than before In fact, 1 got a
cheaper rate when the Clarkson ratebook
was in use"
,s Otto Peiker, of Peiker & Wistropp. whole
same 1t has always been. The law COM
peliinS insurance companies to pay full
amount In case of loss is of more benefit to
the people than any cut rate could be.
But the rate has not been lowered"
Z. w: Mitchler; clothing-"Rates are no
lower now than before. So far as that is
Fire insurance rates are outrageously high
LIS II IS perfect robbery. My rate is just as
Harry Adams. of Fowler & Adams. mill
ers-No, the rate is no better now thaa
formerly. But McNall's fight has done one
chlngnit .f has fs Weeded out wildcat insurance
payment IN full in case of loss has done
much good
=, E. T. Ahrens. of the Ahrens Mercantile
it has. Having been in business here for
nearly thirty years, always been insured
ana a never had fire. it has only been since
local agents here did not pull the combina-
tion pool ratebook on the victim when in
suring; good deal like highwayman
book is used, the pool busted and insurance
lower than the former rates.
nanet w, 3. crassan; sSn1;;. lawyerM"The greatest
from the fact that insurance companies do
not permit patrons to over insure. A spe-
cial agent told me yesterday his company
would not permit irresponsible agents now
to insure for more than property was
worth. as now the company had to pay
full loss
S. D. Condor, hardware and implements
mo, the rate is no less. I pay the same
have for years. ! have no fight to make on
McNall but | fail to see wherein his action
has benefited insurers.
T. w. Rainey, dry goods-"Yes. When
renewed my insurance recently the rate
was about S1.5O on the LOCO less than
before. Why it was SO, l do not know.
Whether it was caused by the abolishment
of the rate book or not do not know. I
did not ask any questions
c. w. Carr. implements-'My rate is no
greater than before, nor is it less. But the
fact that insurance companies are COM
PEELED to pay in full for loss has tended to
purify the insurance business and prevent
companies from taking excessive insurance
and then in case of loss compromising for
% cents on the dollar"
E. E. Alexander. notions-"Yes my insur-
ance is lower, l think; that is, l get my
insurance now for $1,000 for the same
amount of money that l formerly paid on
$500. What the cause is I am not able 20
state. Whether 1t is attributable to Nc
Nall or not cannot say"
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-09-19

All caset II weak and lame back,
backache, rheumatism, will find relief by
wearing one of Carter's Smart Weed and
Belladonna Backache Piasters- Price p
cents. Try them.
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-09-19

Hicks-"Bowers has been telling me some
of his war experiences" Wicks-"And I
suppose you believed all his yarns?' Hicks
-"Oh. yes; they were so uninteresdng I'm
sure they must be true."-Boston Trans
cript.
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-09-19
INSURANCE RATES HIGHER.

BAXTER SPRINGS, KAS.,S eptB-(spe-
cial1 Captain N. H.Eastham, leading Demo-
crat-"No reduction in fire insurance rates
in this county. In fact rates on farm prop
erty are sitter than ever before, and ten
ant property 20 per cent higher
Norton & Skidmore-"AI fire insurance in
this section is just as high. If not higher,
than ever before. There has been no re-
duction whatever in the past two years.
j. NJ McDonald-'lf insurance rates are
lower in the last year We have faiied 10
discover il, and have in our business mad
good opportunity to know.
Andrew Jarrett-"Have heard OF no re,
duction in insurance rates since McNaii
went into Office.
j. P. Hartley-"McNall's promised reform
in insurance rates has panned out about
like all other reforms of the Pop party
nit
c. W. Daniels-"The holding up of East
ern insurance companies by Populist high
waymen has not resulted in a single dol
lars benefit to insurers, but has forced the
withdrawal of many millions OF much
needed capital from Kansas"
BENJAMIN Houston-'I am paying same
rates / have always paid"
A Willard-"The McNall method Of at
tacking reliable insurance companies has
not resulted in lower rates of insurance or
in any good to the people of Kansas"
Charles F. Noble-"Why does not McNah
examine the Shawnee Insurance Company
of Kansas"
John NJ Cooper-'I carry about $4,000 fire
and $50, 600 life insurance. and have obtain
ed no reduction Up to this time
Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-09-19
OLD RATES STILL IN EFFECT.

HUTCHINSON. KAS., Sept. s.-(Spe-
ciaI.) In a number of interviews with
business men in Hutchinson it is ascer-
tanned that the work of Insurance Com
missioner McNall has had no visible effect
upon insurance rates in this city.
A. C. Schermerhorn, the leading furni-
ture dealer, says: Il am paying the same
rates on my insurance that l pad five
years ago, and cannot see that merchants
have been affected one way or the other
by Mr.. McNall's work. If anyone has
gained anything it must be the insurance
examiners"
L. Ardery, druggist. says: There Is no
change in the rate of insurance SO far as
l can learn. I am paying the same rate
that have paid for four years past. My
idea of the fight on insurance companies is
that it will have a tendency to increase
rates by lessening the competition"
A C. Hoagland. of the clothing firm OF
Hoagland, Hostetter & Co., says: I'VE
are paying the same rate of insurance as
in the past" Mr.. Hoagland showed prem
ium receipts for four years back, all bear
ing the same rate. There Is a great deal
of discussion regarding lower rates" said
Mr.. Hoagland, but / am pretty well ac-
quainted with the business of Kansas. and
have heard of no decrease in insurance
rates from any quarter"
Ed Sidlinger, druggist, says: Il am pay
ing the same rate for insurance that
have paid for several years Mr.. McNali's
efforts may have run some unreliable COM
panies out of the state. AS to rates, they
are exactly the same"