The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-08-31
IN A SHIRT WAIST
President of Insurance Agents
Convention Presides Over
Deliberations.

Milwaukee, Aug. S1-"Millions for
comfort but not a cent for style, salu
President Woodwork as he called 70 Or
der the convention of the Natlona1 AS
ISOLATION of Local Fire Insurance Agents
today taking off his coat and conduct
ing the meeting attired in SHIRT waist.
The first speaker Henry H putnam OF
Boston.
Mr.. Putnam, in his address, reviewed
the causes leading to the organization
of the national association. he slaleo
that organization was the natural oe-
Tense of man against those forces with
which he is unable to cope as an III
dividual; pointed out that the tendency
of modern times is more ana more
towards cooperation and the conSonda-
ton of interests; that this tendency Is
in the right direction and is the natural
result of advancing civilization.
Discussing the present SITUATION IN hre
insurance, he said:
THE business today is in state OF
turmoil and distress which, we are loio
by veteran underwriters, IS unpfecedeiil-
ed since the Chicago and Boston nreS.
Tariffs are far too low to provide for a
normal rate of burning; expenses are
higher than ever before, agents are HluA-
tiplying, industrial changes are threat
ening the interests of both companies
and agents, brokerages and oyerheao
writing are undermining the business Oh
agents, while legislation promises a
revolution in the rate making metnodS
which have been pursued by the com,
panies for three-quarters or a century
He recommended that in view OF the
extraordinary circumstances confronIlng
the business of fire insurance as a Wnoie,
the time was ripe for the Appointment
of conference committee by the ma
tional association representing dlderent
sections as well as city and country
agentS-to meet with similar conference
committees from the national board OF
fire underwriters, the New Engianu IN
surance exchange, the Eastern Union,
the Southeastern Tariff association, the
Western Union and the Paelnc COAST
board. Such committees to meet
at some central point during OCTOBER OF
November for the purpose OF DISCUSSING
and il possible of formulating a program
upon the following questions: Rates,
state legislation, compensation, muItlple
agencies overhead writing, brokefaSeS
and trust lines. He believed that such
a conference would do more than any
thing else to harmonic conflicting rae
tors, promote good practices, check grow
ing evils and place the business as a
whole upon a better foundation. Even
if the suggested conference falled TO
secure uniform general action upon the
several problems considered, it would at
least produce a declaration OF principles
which would have q profound erect
upon public opinion and estabhsn stan-
dards which would serve as guide Ior
fire underwriters for many years 10
come.
President Woodwork then introduced
General J. B. Castleman, of Louisville,
XIV. who spoke of the power accorueo
to local agents, claiming II was greate e
than given to attorneys in other INES Oh
business: that the need of the day was
unity He spoke against the customs
of some companies in allowing otneI
cornDarieS to solicit insurance Tor them.
Mr. Jones' of Sherman, Tex, read a
PAPER on 1.-THE Mission of Woman IN tne
Insurance World - g