The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-08-31
FIRE INSURANCE AGENTS
FIFTH ANNUAL CONVENTION OF THE
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION.
President WOodwOrth's Address and
Report of the Executive
Committee.

MILWAUKEE,. Wis, Aug. 3o.-The fifth
annual convention of the National Asso-
citation of Local Fire Insurance Agents
convened here to-day. In the absence of
Mayor Ross, Corporation Counsel General
j. B. Doe delivered the address of welcome.
Thomas II. Geer, of Cleveland. responded.
oution that: 1.-THE National Association
request of the presidents of each State
a complete list OF all fire companies Of
fering or writing business at cut rates,
the list to be furnished on the first days
of October. January. April and July of
each year, and that the same be published
and sent to all members" The resolution
was referred to the committee on reso-
buttons without debate.
President c. II. Woodwork, of Buffalo.
in his annual address, congratulated the
members on the growth of the association
in numbers and influence during the past
year, and after giving resume of the
work. took up some of the important ques-
tions before the association and made rec
omendations for future action. The topics
discussed were: Overhead writing" and
a Rating and a classification, and
Commissions" Brokerage" Sole Agen-
cies," and "Co-operation.' Rating and
classification were discussed from the prop
erty owners standpoint, emphasizing the
absolute necessity of the classification and
comparison of the experiences of the COM
panies in the matter of losses in order to
ascertain equitable rates. He said the right
to predicate uniform rates upon such data
being prohibited by statute in some States,
the result is that rates higher in
such States than in others where this pro-
hibition does not exist. Legislation, he
said, that increases expenses by excessive
taxation and by preventing cooperation,
necessarily increases the rate of insur-
ance. He contended that equitable rating
which can only be arrived at by CLASH
fication and cooperation, is of more i'm
portance TO the policy holder than To the
company. Rates too high and rates too
low, he said, equally unjust TO the
insuring public, as they hold.
following: conference with the Associa-
ton of Insurance Commissioners, offering
them cooperation and assistance in Sc
curing uniform and equitable legislation,
means for securing a better observance of
the law against overhead writing; ma
terial restriction of brokerage; the taking
of an advance ground in the matter of sole
agencies.
A H Robinson of Louisville, KY, chair
man of the executive committee, submitted
his report, which in part said: IF the COM
panes doing a general agency business in
this country will go upon single agency
basis, decline to recognize the broker and
force their local agents to do so, deny re-
insurance to the local companies doing a
general brokerage business. combining their
acceptance TO offerings from their local
men, where the business is located and
legitimately belongs, we venture the asser-
ton that all the better class of agents
would be found willing TO do business upon
a fiat 10 per cent. commission basis and
would guarantee that the condition of the
business would materially improve.
There probably was never a time In the
history of the business more ripe than now
to experiment with anything that has
about it the semblance OF reform, but We
sometimes think the companies do not care
to engage in measures of this kind. rather
preferring opposite course, believing IL
to be a case of the survival of the fttest- =
a most dangerous and costly means TO ar
end. sure to lead up to ruination, without
accomplishing the result they are after
Under no circumstances should permit
ourselves to become party to such prac-
tice.
1--WE deem it advisable to have it under
stood that this association Is not arrayeo
with any particular class of companies as
to policy of management, having reference
in particular TO the question of separation
or any other question of a similar charac-
ter upon which the companies are divided
in sentiment Our membership represents
both classes, and, therefore, any acts or
our part should not be construed as taking
part with either class.
The business of the afternoon session was
principally the reading of the reports 81
the committees on organizations and legis
lation President Sheldon, of the Nationa
Board of Fire Underwriters. delivered al
address and was followed by Uberto G
Crosby. of New Hampshire.
Just before the close of to-days session
w. r. Stiles, president of the Texas Asso
citation OF Agents. urged that national Sc
cret society for local insurance agents b,
organized. The suggestion was favorabl,
received. The purposes of the proposed or
ganization are similar to those of other Sc
| cret trade societies. Mr.. Stiles said that
| lodge or club organized on the lines indi
| Gated existed at San Antonio. Tex, anC
| that IT had been of much benefit TO the
| members A national organization alont
| the same lines would, he believed, be
| great aid to its members.