Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-16
FIRST UNDER NEW ACT
TEE NATIONAL METROPOLITAN
FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY.
Splendid Growth Of This Corporation
Since Its Organization Thirty
Two Years Ago.

The National Metropolitan Fire Insurance
Company was the first company to become
Incorporated under the general incorpora-
ton act Of the District OF Columbia.
The company was incorporated in Septem-
ber 1870. and has for over thirty-two years
stood as one Of the soundest local companies
in existence.
From its organization the company has
been particularly fortunate in escaping
heavy losses. which contribute to the I'M
doing OF so many fire insurance companies.
During its career the average losses Of the
corporation yearly have not exceeded 5000.
In this connection 1t may be mentioned as
an extraordinary fact that in past years.
when coal oil was used extensively and ia
cilities for fighting fire were meager, there
were fewer disastrous fies than now when
buildings are flreproof and the facilities for
controlling fires are excellent
This company is now. and ever has been.
careful in the selection Of risks, and for
that reason the affairs of the corporation
are In a prosperous condition.
The original incorporators of the company
were Jno. B. Blake, Moses Kelly, William
B. Todd, Nicholas Acker, Matthew G.. En-
cry. Samuel Emery, John W. Butler, Lewis
Clephane, James w. Barker, Alexander R.
Shepherd. William Wall. George F. Gulick,
William G. Metzerott, F. H Smith Edward
F. Droop. Charles Just, John T. Lehman,
Anton Eberly, George w. Cochran, Michael
Green. Edward Clark, B. H Stinemetz.
Henry Clay Stewart, John o. Evans, Sam
ueI Cross, Bushrod Robinson, c.. A. James
and A H. Eichstadt
After the company had been Incorporated
and prospered for twenty years, the time for
which it had been incorporated under the
act, no provision was found for extending II.
An appeal was made to Congress, but as
delay was foreseen in securing the neces-
sary amendment to extend its charter it was
reorganized in 1890 and continued.
The first secretary of the company, Mr..
Samuel Cross, still retains his original po-
sition, and 1t is largely due to him that the
prosperity Of the corporation has been
maintained during its existence.
Mr.. Cross, who is man of wide popu-
larity, ability and strict integrity, is one of
Washington's most respected sons. He was
born here in 1888. At the ripe age of sew
enty his energy, mentality and physical
powers show no perceptible diminution. In
early life Mr.. Cross studied engineering,
and for a while was connected with the
navy yard. Later he engaged in the broker
age business, which was successfully con-
Quoted. He was called upon a member
of the District militia for military service
during the civil war. In 1870 he became
secretary of the company upon its organiza-
ton. He is also secretary and treasurer of
the Washington Safe Deposit Co.
Mr.. William A. Gordon, the president of
the company, is one Of the most actively
engaged men of business in the city, being
president Of many institutions and vice
president of others.
The first president of the company was
Moses Kelly next DIR. Jno. D. Blake, then
W. g. Metzerott, then Edward Clark and
finally William A Gordon.
The capital stock Of the company Is $780,
600 On May 81, 1902, the company had a
surplus of $112. 403 II. These figures show the
progress and sound foundation upon VIII CHI
1t rests. Closely identified with the expan-
sion and development Of the city, the CO =
pany has partaken Of the genera prosp rty
that has characterized thA passing yeafs