The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-02-06
They ARE AFRAID.
Insurance Men Discuss AdVan-
tages of Organization.
Kansas Antitrust Law Is the
impeachment.
WILL TRY ANYHOW.
Attorney General Be Asked to
Approve Bylaws.
State Association Elects OIL
GERS and AdjOurns.

The annual meeting Of the local fire
insurance agents adjourned Monday af-
ternoon. The members Hmbered up and
talked and did a number of things dur
ing the afternoon.
officers for the association were Sc
lected for the ensuing year as follows:
President-R. P. Cravens, Salina.
Vice presidents-A- S. Drury, Atchi-
son; Carl Nellis. Topeka, Elmer Reese,
Wichita.
Secretary-L. c. Gray, SaIina.
Treasurer-Rosse Case, Marion.
Grievance cOmmittee-Willard Mer-
riam, Kansas City; F. 5. Thomas, To-
peka; Z. L. Charlton, Lawrence; J. M
kinkel, Hutchinson; z. A. HOrnaday,
Fort Scott.
A standing committee to prepare res
olutions for future emergencies was
named as follows:
J. P FOntrOn, Hutchinson.
Willard Merriam, Kansas City.
Frank Thomas, Topeka
The discussions We're started by
Charles s. Elliott who expressed the
opinion that something should be done
to re-create local boards to manage the
affairs of q city He suggested that II
such action is now illegal the associa-
ton should go to the legislature and
secure the legaliZatiOn of such a board.
Frank s Thomas said: I'VE have
too small membership. If we increase
the list to large proportions we can get
anything we want from the legislature.
Il favor the local boards and a COM
mission to make rates-equitable rates.
Have a punishment clause in the law
creating the commission, and then we
can put rate cutters in jail.
How many jailS have you in Kan
sas?" interrupted W. Y. Henry, repre-
senting the German of Freeport, as
special agent.
Enough to take care Of dishonor-
able insurance agents" replied Thomas.
r. L. MarShman, mayor of Kansas
City, said the membership could not be
increased until some of the companies
which have been opposing it change
their positions.
THE membership can be best increase
by having county organizations of in
surance men," said S T. Woolard, state
agent for the American Central of st.
Louis.
Mr. Thomas said the companies would
not change their position until they
were fully informed that the Kansas
association is not organized to make or
unmake rates.
That's not part of our constitution
now" said several agents.
Mr.. Marshman suggested that the
new officers communicate with the com
panieS doing business in the state and
secure permission for local agents to
join the association.
Mr.. Henry thought this would fail,
because the companies would not get
tangled up in an organization. Let
ters of that kind would be thrown into
the waste basket"
Mr.. Woodland differed with Henry and
said: 1.-THE company managers would
take favorable action on such letters
and local agents would be permitted
to join"
Mr.. Thomas asked why the attorney
general had dissolved the Atchison as
ISOLATION.
Because" volunteered Mr.. Spalding,
of AtchisOn, I'VE had a clause agree
ing to boycott a man who had not paid
his premiums. No other agent would
write him until all premiums were
paid. This boycott feature was the
principal objection"
J. .Ludlun,s special agent for the
Delaware reported that he had been in
Ohio two weeks, where there is a strong
local agents association which is en-
dorsed by the companies. IF you seek
the cooperation of the companies,
which you have thus far failed to do,
your membership will be increased"
J. w Going, secretary Of the Shawnee
Fire, said: 1.-THE Ohio local agents as
ISOLATION has power to make rates
That plan could not be adopted here
without a violation of law"
Mr.. Going stated that the plan to
consult the managers would not meet
with success.
M. Thomas suggested that the by