The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-03-10
WESTERN INSURANCE UNION
Members Summoned to Testify in an
Antitrust Investigation.

st. Louis, March S.-More than 100 of the
125 members of the Western Insurance
union were present today when that body
met here in semi-annuaI session. Among
those present We're ceveraI presidents Of
large companies in the east.
To the surprise Of the delegates a num-
Der Of the more prominent members re-
ceived subpoenas shortly after their ar
rival summoning them to appear in the
genuemen's parlor of the Southern hotel
to give testimony in the suits Of custer
brought by the attorney general of Mis-
souri, against % insurance companies
charged with being members Of a trust,
known as the Western Insurance union -
sam Davis, Of Marshall, Missouri the
commissioner appointed by the supreme
court to take the dispositions, together
with Attorney General Grow, Superin-
tendent of Insurance O'Rear. and a deputy
marshal from Jefferson City. constituted
the court Of inquiry. Mrs O'Rear said
the taking of dispositions at this time was
solely with a view of saving witnesses
the time and expense that would be in
volyed by a different course Of procedure.
The regular order Of business at the
semi-annual meeting provides that the
opening day shall be taken up with the
reading of the reports of committees.
Most important. therefore. under the cir
cumstances, was a report from the special
committee appointed in September last to
conduct the defense for union companies
in the suits instituted in Missouri.
This committee, which is composed of
~ IL,
II. Washburn. Eugene Carey and w. II.
Wyman, reported that lawyers had been
retained and that the course of procedure
Of the Missouri state officials was being
followed closely.
The effort of the state officials is to
show that the real business Of the West
ern Insurance union is to fix rates. all the
interests being pooled Several of the
general managers have said that if the
precise language OF the law is enforced
it vii be impossible for insurance com
panies TO be represented in this state and
they will have to withdraw.
Superintendent O'Rear saws: Three
years ago the insurance companies made
a large increase in rates in this state.
Since the attorney general instituted pro-
ceedinEs against them several months
ago. they have made reductions Of from
10 to 25 per cent, saving to the people be-
tween $4,000 and 100000 a year. and on
that account should have consideration.
But their rates are still above those which
existed before the increase of three years
ago.
They can hardly cry poverty or IN
profitable bushes either. as their own re-
ports Will show. The people Of Missouri
do not intend TO be unjust or unfair. but
they want reasonable rates Of insurance.
and the abolition of the trust"
In the proceedings Of the Union it was
reported the question OF outside competi-
ton was taken up IN connection with a
committee report. The subject OF rates
was laid over until Wednesday. when
most o fine time of the members will be
occupied with discussion Of the pro-
ceedings instituted against them by the
attorney general.
The hearings before the state officials
began a. o'clock.