Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-01-30
INSURANCE A TOPIC
Underwriters Suggest a Possible In
crease in Rates
THEIR FIFTEENTH ANNUAL BANQUET
Patriotic Speeches Made in Re-
spouse to Toasts'
LIST OF THE ESTS

Twice a year the fire insurance men Of
the District come together for social pur-
poses. These occasions prove to be highly
enjoyable not only to the members Of the
Association of Fire Underwriters of the
District, but to the friends whom they tn-
vite to participate. Last evening the fif-
teenth annual banquet of the association
was given at the Arlington Hotel, and it
proved to be no exception to the similar
occurrences which have so pleasantly
marked the history of the association.
The membership of the board, which was
well represented, and a number Of personal
friends formed a company of nearly $50
people, which assembled at o'clock in the
pariors of the hotel. They were received
by the president of the association, MIR.
Myer Cohen. and the officers and members
of the executive committee, of which Mr..
Henry Wells is chairman. Each guest was
furnished with a printed diagram of the
tables. which We're set in the form of
gridiron, and in the order in which each ap-
peared on the diagram the large company
was promptly seated. As soon as the doors
leading into the banquet hall were thrown
open an orchestra played a march. and dur
ing the serving of the dinner rendered an
attractive and pleasing program OF music.
TOastmaster Introduced.
1t was a jovial company that President
Cohen looked upon when he arose at the
end of the feast. Owing to the fact that
conversation was so general he did not at
once secure the attention OF the company.
Finally. however, there was luil in the
buzz of talk and Mr.. Cohen stated that by
direction of the executive committee ne
would call upon Mr.. Simon Wolf to act as
toastmaster. AS he had not been INFORMED
by the latter gentleman, he added, that ne
Nd, to WA 10
would seize the present moment to make
some remarks. He then made brief but
admirable speech, which was listened TO
with close attention.
statistics. and said they showed that
during a period of years the average
premium paid by insurance In TINS Dlstfict
for every 500 of insurance was 81 cents.
the lowest rate which prevailed in any city.
He referred to the heavy losses which fire
insurance companies had suffered during
the past year. and said insurers must not
be surprised at the readjustment OF the
present rate.
President Cohen concluded his entertain
ing speech by reciting a parody on a poem
of Kpliug's, in which reference was MADE
to the happy future of insurance men and
the fate of the rate cutters who would
then be found busy with fires below.
President Mckinley Toasted.
Mr. Cohen gave way to MI. Simon
Wolf. The first toast was THE President
OF the United States" and after the COM
pany had risen and drunk to it Mr. M M.
Parker made a response in words which
were at once eloquent and effective. He
spoke of the return of prosperity to the
country which had followed the Inaugural
ton of the administration of President Nc
kinley and said the Presidents course in
the difficult and trying times OF the Span
ish war had been married by mistakes.
His tribute to the chief magistrate pro-
yoked hearty applause, and, in conclusion.
he proposed a toast to THE Next Presi-
dent. William Mckinley, and prosperity"
which was drunk with much enthusiasm.
The next toast was THE United States"
and, as it became evident from the grace
full preparatory remarks OF the toastmas-
ter that he intended to call upon Mr..
Henry E. Davis, who sat near him, the
company was alert with interest and greet
ed the mention of Mr.. Davis name with
hearty demonstration of applause. Mr.. Da-
Wis response was made in thoughtful
mood, and was characterized by patriotic
utterances which at once found reSpon-
siye echo in the hearts of those present.
He said the toast evoked the loftiest senti-
ments Of patriotism, and in referring to
current events. he remarked that the race
which this nation represents is now on
trial.
Mr. William Fl. Conley gave a character
song which was much enjoyed, and he re-
sponded to an encore. Later in the even
L.
gro melodies, and the efforts of both these
singers were greatly enjoyed.
The Ideal City.
The next toast was washington, now
the ideal city Of the nation and soon to
be Of the world" and the POSTMASTER in
calling upon Commissioner Wight to re-
spond referred to the fact that he was
formerly president of the board, and that
he had transferred the ability which he
then manifested to the public place to
which he has been called.
Mr.. Wight was warmly received by his
associates and made a graceful response.
formed a fitting prelude to the one he was
called upon to respond to, for as the coun-
try prospers so does It's capital city. He
then spoke of the great interest mani
tested by the citizens in the observance OF
the centennial year Of the District, and said
no one displayed greater interest in this
event than President Mckinley. He said the
plans which were maturing for the pro-
posed celebration contemplated what would
be creditable as we'll as enduring. 1t was
proposed to commemorate the centennial
by the erection here of a memorial struct-
ure. Whether that should be bridge or a
building had not been decided. The citi-
zens' committee was in favor of a memorial
bridge, and the President thought such a
structure should be a memorial to Amer
lean patriotism, not to any one mana
reason MIR. Wight thought the erection Of
a bridge connecting this city with the Ma
tional cemetery at Arlington would be ap-
propriate.
In addition to the erection Of a memorial
to commemorate the centennial year, he
would be pleased to see the abolition of
Florida avenue as the dividing line between
the city and the county, the enactment of
legislation to abolish steam and road grade
crossings in this city and the erection of a
municipal building. He said 1t was a mat
ter of congratulation that the antiquated
horse cars were disappearing from the
streets of the city and their place being
taken by the best modern street railroad
system in the world. A burst Of applause
followed Mr.. Wight's enthusiastic words
expressive Of local patriotism.
The POSTMASTER then, In a pleasant vein
of humor. displayed a mysterious package,
which he said was present for Commits
sioner Wight, and, unwrapping it, dis
played. to the great amusement Of the
company, a plaster paris dog wearing q
muzzle, as required by a recent regulation
of the Commissioners. The gift remained
on the table for the balance of the evening"
Testimonial to Retiring President.
Mr. Wolf then called upon Mr.. Paul Tur-
ner, chairman of the middle department,
to which this District belongs, who re-
sponded in a speech, in which he gave the