Catoctin clarion., 1899-12-28
THURMONT Frederick County, Maryland Thursday December 28 1893.
BIG lN9URANCE.
The Prince of Wales Carries an
Enormous Amount.

The Prince of Wales Carries an
Enormous Amount.
A big insurance man told me recently
in New-York that the Prince of Wales
was the heaviest risk of any patron of
the insurance business, and that his
death would cost English, German,
French and American companies not
less than $10,000,000.
"No other person carries 20 per cent
of that insurance" he said, but COM
paratively little OF it is for the benefit
of his family; perhaps not more than
$1,0O0,OO0.
1T is curious fact" continued my
insurance friend, who spends a good
deal of his time III England, that $2,-
900, 900 or $3,000,000 of insurance, per-
haps more than that, has been placed
on the life of the Prince of Wales as a
speculation by persons who do not
know him and have never had any rela-
tions with him whatever This would
not be possible under the insurance
laws Of the United States. but it is al
lowed by some of the English compan-
les. Over there any man can secure a
policy on the life of neighbor, pro-
vided he can persuade the neighbor to
submit to a medical examination or find
a company which has recently had him
examined. Thus when the Prince Of
Wales undergoes an examination for in
surance lots of spectators apply to the
same company for policies on his life,
or get certified copies Of the report OF
the medical examiner and use them
with other companies. 1t is pure specu-
lation. They pay high premium, a
margin, so to speak, or, to put 1t in an
other way, they book wager with the
insurance companies that the Prince
will die before the total of their pre-
miums exceeds the amount of the poll
cy. Therefore, many persons would be
financially benefited If Albert Edward
should drop off suddenly one of these
fine days. The Prince Is perfectly aware
OF this fact He knows very well what
advantages have been taken Of his sit
uation, but do not suppose 1t makes
any difference with his habits
Are kings generally insured?" l
asked
"Yes, most of them, but they are not
regarded as a good risk, and companies
that carry the policies do not advertise
the fact any more than necessary. 1t
Injuries rather than benefits them. The
late Emperor Frederick, father Of the
present Kaiser, carried nearly $4,000 900
of insurance. which is about all the
money his widow has to live on, for her
pension frop the German Government
Is small. Frederick was considered a
first class risk. He was man of ro-
bust health, splendid stature, with the
training and frugal habits of soldier
and was an athlete: but all at once a
cancer was discovered. which he doubt
less inherited from his grandmother,
beautiful Queen Louisa, and he failed
rapidly. The present Kaiser is not
considered a good risk. This Is quite
as much because of his constitutional
defects as for political considerations,
but for obvious reasons no company
would decline an application from him
for insurance"
81 understand the Queen of Spain is
heavily insured?'
Yes, that is supposed to be the case,
although little is known about it, and
the prevailing impression is that most
Of her policies are in American COM
panies, which have agencies in Madrid
Alfonso XII, her husband was insured
in several French and English compan-
ies-some say to the extent Of $5,OOO,-
600, but | do not know the exact
amount. Chicago Record.