The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-08-31
FIRE INSURERS IN SESSION
THE LEGAL FIRE AGENTS CON-
VENED YESTERDAY AT
MILWAUKEE,
DELEGATES WERE KEPT BUSY
Time of the Convention Was De-
voted to Consideration of Ways
and Means for Bettering
Conditions.

MILWAUKEE,, Aug 3O.-The fifth an
nual convention Of the National Associa-
ton of Local Fire Insurance Agents was
called to order at 1890 o'clock this morn
ing, at the Davidson theater, by President
Woodwork. There were 200 delega ties
present. In the absence of Mayor Rose,
Corporation Counsel General ]. B. Doe
delivered the address Of welcome, delight
Ing the audience with few anecdotes and
cordially welcoming the delegates to the
city. Thomas H. Geer, of Cleveland, re-
sponded. He referred to the third prod
uct, and advised his hearers not to in
dulge or even investigate the industry.
He also spoke in a light vein an6 imme-
diately put the gathering in good humor.
He drew picture of the man whose Gu
rfosity overcame him in regard to the
beer traffic, as he might appear before
the police Justice in the morning. He
made many personal and professional
cracks that were enjoyed immensely by
the insurance men.
A committee on nominations was then
appointed, to consist of one man from
each state association. A committee on
resolutions was similarly arranged for.
with Clarence 8. Pellet, of Chicago as
chairman.
E. w Wilson, Of Utah, introduced a
resolution that the national associate
request Of the presidents of each state a
complete list of all fire companies offer
Ing 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"
Al
plause and referred to the committee on
resolutions without debate.
PRESIDENTS ADDRESS.
President C. H. 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 a resume Of the
work, took up some of the important
questions before the association. Among
his recommendations were the following:
A conference with the Association of
Insurance Commissioners, offering them
cooperation and assistance in securing
uniform and equitable legislation; means
for securing a better Observance of the
law against overhead writing; a material
restriction of brokerage; the taking of
advance ground in the matter of sole
agencies.
Seeretary-Treasurer Frank T. Holmes,
Of Chicago, then made his annual report,
saying among other matters discussed:
Since the last annual meeting the as
ISOLATION has made substantial progress.
| States and territories are not only or
ganized with a complete list Of officers,
with their own constitution and bylaws,
but almost all Of them are in healthy
growth with active and far-reaching in
| fiuence in the support of right principles
In opposition to bad practices In fire I'M
| derwriting I believe that the COM
! panies as a whole are bending their
| energies to the sole agency plan. This
REFORM which will benefit the insuring
public, companies and agents alike, may
| be considered the dominant influence fol-
| 1899 and 1901 This association has pass
| ed the experimental stage, and has out
grown the present constitution and by
laws. A new constitution, bylaws and
platform Of principles should be pre-
pared"
SOLE AGENCY QUESTION.
| A. H. Robinson, Of Louisville, KY,
chairman of the executive committee.
submitted his report which, in part,
said:
1.-THE main issue now before this asso-