The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-06-26

A most important meeting Of the Fire
Underwriters Association was held yes
terday afternoon in the Adams Building
from to o'clock. In brief the associa-
| ton decided to make a cut in rates on
| certain important classes of risks, but left
its decision subject to the approval of the
middle department of the Special
| Agents Association" of the United States,
| the only recognized general body of fire
| insurance men.
a committee of seven was appointed
| composed of three representatives of local
companies, three local agents of outside
| companies. and the president Of the Fire
Underwriters Association. This commit
tee will go to Philadelphia today to confer
with the rating committee OF the middle
department which is to have a regular
meeting today. This committee will pre-
sent the entire local insurance situation
to the general body. and it has been agreed
by both local companies and agents to
abide by its decision.
The committee appointed was composed
of the following: Myer Cohen. President
of the Fire Underwriters, chairman Capt.
r. w. Tyler, T.. II. Smith, of the Colonial
Company; Ralph Lee. H. c. Birge, of the
Riggs Company; Louis r. Peak and H. II.
Bergman of the German-American Com
pany. The middle departnent' of the
Special Agents Association will be rep
resented at the meeting by the regular
subcommittee of seven in the District of
Columbia and Maryland. The action OF
this subcommittee on the report of the
Washington committee will be reviewed by
the Special Agents Association. 1t is this
action of the Special Agents Association
as body that the insurance men OF the
District have decided to abide by.
An important member of the local Fire
Underwriters Association said last night
regarding the meeting yesterday and the
coming meeting today in Philadelphia, that
the association generally believes the re-
suit will be the STRENGTHENING out of all
the snarls in the local insurance situation.
The formal cut in rates was made partly,
If not wholly, to have definite issue to
present to the middle department man
ayers. 1t Is confidently hoced that the
cut will not be permanent one, but that
the Potomac Company, now an OUTLAW
will see it's way to acquiesce in the action
Of the middle department as well as the
present members Of the association. IL
this is DONE this gentleman said, the
Potomac will be welcomed back into the
association again.
The insurance fight began six months
ago, but has attained an acute stage only
recently. The association as body has
been opposed TO what are called multiple
agencies" or numerous agencies OF one
company in any one city. The association
last winter adopted a rule that any COM
pany having these multiple agencies should
pay a large special tax for every one over
a certain limited number. The Potomac
Company and several outside concerns OBJ
iected TO this rule. and refused TO pay the
tax. They were then suspended from the
association.
1t was feared that serious break would
be the result. There were threats of rate
cutting, and of other offensive and def5n-
sve measures by both parties to the fight.
The first step taken in the actual warfare !,
was at a meeting of the association a week
ago. when it was decided TO begin cutting
rates. The local companies In a body tb- !
iected to this measure, on the ground ttat
il would ruin their business, and they
threatened to withdraw from the associa- .
ton in a body if the action were taken I
The cut in rates was therefore held up and
the meeting of yesterday was 6e3ided on, /
at which final action might be taken.
1t is understood that the Potomac Insur- !
anee people and other suspended members |
of the association do not feel confident OF
an adjustment of the fight through the OFF, |
GERS of the Special Agents Association. !
The criticism was made by a Potomac MAJ |
last night that this association is COM |
posed of agents, and not of companies, AID !
that its decision will naturally favor the |
agents of outside companies and not the |
local companies in the present dispute.