The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-09-01
LOCAL INSURANCE AGENTS EX-
PRESS A DECIDED PREF
ERENCE
THE THIRD DAYS SESSION
Was Again Devoted to Discussion
of Bettermemt of Business Con-
dftfons-SmOIxer in the
Evening.

nam, of Boston, editor of the Journal of
Insurance Economics; Gen. John B. Cas-
tleman, Of Louisville, and George P.
Sheldon, of New York, president of the
National Board of Fire Underwriters.
Brief oral reports on conditions in a
number Of states also were made.
The forenoon session closed with brief
reviews of \ conditions in Alabama by
Col. John G. Smith. of Birmingham; In
Connecticut by J. c. North, of New
Haven; in the District of Columbia by
w. r. Hensey, of Washington; in Illinois
by G. S. Pellet, of Chicago. and in In
diana by Aaron Wild, of Indianapolis.
Millions for comfort but not q cent
for STYLE so said President Woodwork
as he called to order the convention of
the national association of local fire
agents at 1890 o'clock this forenoon, and
he took off his coat and called the meet
ing to order, attired in a cool-looking
shirtwaist.
The first speaker this morning was
Henry H. Putnam, of Boston Mr.. Put
mans speech was well received and was
referred to the committee on resolutions.
President Woodwork then introduced
Gen. John B. Castleman, of Louisville,
KY, who spoke of the power accorded to
local agents, claiming 1t was greater than
that given to attorneys in other lines of
business; that the need of the day was
unity, and the prime cause of trouble in
insurance business is the Quarrels Of local
agents. He spoke against the custom of
some companies in allowing other COM
panies to solicit insurance for them The
Speaker also scored the system of null
tiple agencies, and boosted that his COM
pany was an offender In that way. He
was applauded vigorously
INSURANCE WOMEN.
The programme committee then surpris-
ed the convention by announcing that a
paper would be read this time by wom-
an, Mrs. Jones, of Sherman, Tex Her
subject was "the Mission Of Woman in
the Insurance World" Mrs Jones told
a most humorous story about insuring a
skeleton belonging to a physician in her
town. The convention gave vote of
thanks to Mrs. Jones amidst great APP
plause.
The call of states was made, and dele
gates told Of the condition in their sew
eral states. The convention then adjourn
ed.
At the afternoon session George P,
Sheldon, of New York city, president Of
the National Board of Fire Underwriters,
made an interesting address
If the wealth of this country continued
to increase at its present ratio during the
next twenty-five years, the loss by fire
in that period, he said, would be probably
about $1,000, 100000. In view of this appal-
ling fact, every one was in duty bound
to do whatever he could to lessen this
great loss Systematic inspection and
scientific schedules would do much to les
sen losses, he asserted. Forty per cent
Of the premiums taken in by insurance
companies, he said. went for expenses;
DIR 10 noe or fxTo
been an increase of per cent in COM
missions and per cent in taxes. He
asked the agents to be careful in gather
ing statistics on which rates are based,
and he predicted that information would
soon be obtainable which would enable
the agent to state clearly just why a GER
tain rate was fixed on a certain risk. He
assured the convention that the national
board no longer felt any apprehension re-
garding the agents association. In COR
clusion he said: God speed and God
prosper you in your work"
INSURANCE LEGISLATION.
A w. Neel, of Ohio offered a resolu-
ton directing the conference committee
to draft set Of fair Gnd equitable laws
with the request that every effort be
made to have them placed on the statute
books. William WEIGH, of Ohio, offered
a resolution providing for uniform COM
missios. Both resolutions were referred
James Haines, of Pekin, Ill, spoke
briefly on fair commissions and just legis-
lation. He urged the agents to take an
active interest In politics, and when
threatened with hostile legislation to go
to legislators and congressman and de-
mand fair treatment
George Nicely, president of the New
England exchange assured the agents
that the organization he represented was
in hearty sympathy with their associa-
ton. He said the exchange had been
gratifyingly successful in securing the
repeal of oppressive legislation in the
New England states
John P Hubbell, Of Missouri a member
of the conference committee of the West
ern union, assured the agents that the
Western union stood ready to support
them In their attack on barriers which
bar the progress of the insurance bust
ness. The greatest of these barriers, he
thought, was adverse legislation. and a
united effort should be made to secure It's
repeal.
FOR A SECRET SOCIETY.
At a conference of the agents held for
the PURPOSE Of considering the advisable
ity of organizing a national union or secret
association, as suggested by w. L. Stiles,
of Texas, it was decided not to form such
a fraternity at this time, but to urge the
members of state organizations to or
ganize independent societies, to be joined
Into national fraternity at the general
convention next year. In the meantime
Mr.. Stiles suggested that agents In states
with oppressive laws could join the Amer
lean Federation of Labor and perhaps Sc
cure some degree Of relief by inducing the
legislatures to amend the obnoxious laws.
The delegates will be given a vaude-
vile smoker tonight.
President Woodwork said today that
the idea of the suggestion made by w.
L. Stiles, Of Texas, that agents organize
and affiliate with the American Fedora
ton of Labor, was simply for the protec-
ton of agents from hostile legislation In
states where antitrust laws are applied
to insurance organizations. In Texas.
Missouri and Arkansas labor organiza-
tons are exempt from the provisions
of the antitrust laws, and so the local in
surance agents form labor unions The
plan has been successful in Texas, and
efforts are being made to form other
unions in other states.
Chairman Pellet of the resolutions
committee, says there will be no radical
measures recommended In the committee
report. This organization cannot do
anything radical" he said tit would
hang itself In a minute If 1t did"
The reports of the nominating and reso-