The age-herald., 1902-05-16
Sixth Session of Alabama Fire
 Underwriters Association
DISCUSS COTTON INSURANCE
Condemn Present Plan of Insurin1 Cotton for RaiIro ads-WiIl Meet Today and Attend Banquet at
 the HlIlman Tonight.


 bama Fire Underwriters Association met yesterday at 12 o'clock in the Commer- cial Club. During the day three sessions were held, each being attended by about forty to fifty members. At the night ses- sion officers for the coming year were elected and the insurance laws of the State were discussed by State Insurance Commissioner Ned R. McDavid.
 The present officers were unanimously reelected upon report of the nominating committed composed of J. s. Dowdell, J. A. Hynd. s. Bethea, A. B. Lambkn and D. c. Jones' These officers are:
 President-John G. Smith.
 Vice President-J. K. Glennon.
 Secretary-M. w. Sweatt.
 Executive Committee--R H. Mabry, C. L. Stickney, George E. Sage, w. F. Fftts, W. B. Leedy and W. T. Chandler.
 Mir. McDavid in his address discussed the laws of the State in a comprehensive manner, He asked different members to question him about any subjects in which they had a special interest His talk was of about an hours duration, after which
  the members.
 The session opened yesterday morning at 12 o'clock. President John G. Smith delivered an address of welcome, extend ing the hospitality of the city to the visi- tors after which L. Strauss of Mont gomery followed with a response to this address.
 1g Al 1z .loo were suspended and Ned R. McDavid, insurance commissioner of the state, was elected a member of the Association. Pro- vision was made for the election of his successors In offie, also. The annual ad- dress of President Smith followed.
 President Smiths Address.
 In this address MT. Smith discussed the present situation of the insurance peo- pie of the state. He referred to various laws and their effects and to various means of doing business. He boldly de- nounced the insurance work known as wild cat" business and said agents should never accept a policy for any one from any company not licensed to do business in the state. Otherwise the agent himself becomes responsible for any loss. He referred to local organiza- tions, the advance in rates and the ques- tions of insurance of cotton.
 A report was made by Secretary Sweatt which reviewed the work of the year and announced a total membership of the association of S6 agents. Six new mem bers were enrolled today.
 The president announced the appoint ment of the following committees:
 Committees Appointed.
 On Presidents Address-R. r. Manly, R. H. Mabry, J. R. Jones. J. H. Wilson. S. A. Thomas.
 Cotton Insurance-J. K. Glennon, G. L. Waller, E. B. Joseph, c. P. Orr, L. Y. Dean, ST.
 Secretary's Report-George Sage, H. B. Foster A. A. Adams. J. s. Dowdell.
 On Legislation and Fourth Article In National Constitutional. Strauss, G. B. Thomas. ". F, Fitts, M J. billiard. J. A. Going.
 A motion presented by L. Strauss of Montgomery provided for committee on the brokerage question, and the following were named: L. Strauss, w. T. Chandler, M. J. McDermote. R. Mcconnell, w. B. Folmer.
 Telegrams from the Kentucky State Association and George D. Markham of St. Louis, president of the National As- sociation, were read. each giving greet ings.
 During the afternoon session local agency problems were discussed by G. L. Waller. G. F. Sage, L. Strauss, J. R. Jones, R. F. Manly, E. B. Joseph and w. J. Dangaix.
 The report of the committee on cotton insurance was read, as follows: Cotton Insurance Report.
 "Your committee on underwriting cotton for railway companies covering certain percentages of $l00O0O on railroad liability at compress on cotton In bales while con- tained in buildings and on platforms and sheds and yards comprising premises known as compress premises, have care fully gone over the form of the policy under which the risk is taken. and as un- derwriters have no hesitancy in saying that,
 "First-It Is contrary to the fundamen- tai principles of underwriting
 "Second-The company has at all times during the existence of the policy Its full percentage of the s100,00 at risk without receiving proper premiums
 Third = That past experience has shown that the premiums do not amount to sufficient amount to cover the ex- pense of the business
 "Fourth-That in our capacity as local agents we express surprise that the com panies have countenanced the form.
 "Fifth-We recommend the ingenuity of the form. and that only; otherwise it is a sad business and detrimental to compan- les, and local agents as we'll"
 The association will reconvene this morning. A banquet will be given tonight at the Hotel Hillman.
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