The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-05-07

II or the lOCdl agent WHO HldkeS uLEcdSOu- able demands on the companies.
 Referring to the fiat advance of 25 per cent in rates, permit me to say that our ratings are now being revised, and as soon as possible new rates will be pro- mulgated, and this advance will be a thing of the past.
 There is still some demand for cheap insurance of the wild cat kind. but it is fast disappearing, except in cases where there is a large combination of capital, then the idea seems to be to advance prices on their products and cut the prices on insurance. But companies from experience have come to know just what risks are worth, hence when there is any considerable departure from estab- lished rates they let them go to the wild cats rather than engage in ruinous com petition. Good insurance insures against fire losses, while poor insurance only tn- sures you the loss of your money. There has been nothing of general in- terest effecting this Association to report. Heavy losses have tended to cement managers more closely together, and there is today more prudence in selecting and | writing than there has been for some years past.
 Concerning Cotton Insurance. "So far as my information goes there is | nothing new to report in the cotton in- surance. The Marine Companies seem | to have the best of 1t, and will be likely to continue to keep 1t, so long as our own State laws are not enforced, and fire companies continue to re-insure the hot | end of the risk. But as this matter | was referred to a special committee at our last annual convention. l will leave the same in their hands to report upon during our present session.
 Taxation is a question that will not | down, and one that should receive your careful attention, before the Legislature | or the various towns and cities of the | State. Can't something be done to cut | down this expense so Alabama can appear | in the tax column of expenses on a | reasonable basis? In urging this matter | before your State and city authorities, don't fail to remind them that a less rate of taxation on the companies means less | expense to our people
 Please allow me to again call your at- l tention to the broker who Is sapping the very foundation of our business. If the l local agent continues to accept his forms and write the business that should be written and controlled at home, we will soon have all of the manufacturing risks | of any note written in New York and | Chicago, and all you will have left will | be small stores and frame dwellings 1 Whose fault is it that he continues tc | thrive? No one but the local agent. whC accepts the brokers line believing he is | getting the advantage of his brother | agent Let's quit this, will you? Let us adopt strong resolutions on the sub | ject, pledging ourvelses, under no circum. stances to write a line for a foreign broker on business in our midst. l would I | committee to report at the present meet | ing.
 l National Association. "I attended the last annual convention of local Fire Insurance Agents at Louis l vile, Ky. in October last. It was late in the season and the attendance was small. There was notahing of any greaa
 importance before the Association, ex | cept the report on Article of the by | laws. It appeared from President Mark | hams report that twenty-seven of tho
 States have adopted this section, whil' | Alabama alone had rejected it, and ter
 States made no reply. After my attend
 ance there and hearing the discussions about attempted legislation elsewhere am more strongly convinced than evel
 that Alabama did the correct thing.
 'I have always taken the position tha I
 affairs, and I am free to say that fee
 that 1t Is to our own interest to continue | to do so. Why should we be required
 to consult others about home matters wht
 know nothing of our requirements, and'f
 called in to assist us in some legislation
 would be more likely to do harm thar
 good.
 American Agency Bulletin.
 'I feel that I would do injustice to the
 cause of the local agents here, if failet
 to call the attention of this Associati
 to the American Agency Bulletin. It 1.
 a journal printed purely in the interes
 of the local agency movement, and
 would like to have each member of thi
 Association to become a subscriber to i
 that we may keep in touch with tn,
 agency movement as well as insuranc
 doings in the United States. Indeed m,
 own opinion is that it would be a gooC
 idea Gf our treasury would justify tn,
 outlay) for the Association to subscrib,
 for one number for each member of thi
 Association. The expense would be smal
 (only 50 cents annually and I am sur,
 we would be all greatly benefited b,
 the perusal of its contents. The editor
 Mir. Henry IT. Putnam I know personally
 and I am exceedingly fond of his articles
 written in the interest of the agenc,
 movement, anu I firmly believe 1t woult
 be money well spent. and In the ent
 greatly aid us in our work.
 With this convention my term of offic,
 will expire and I shall only be too glat
 to surrender the gavel of authority to m,
 successor in office, and take my place il
 the ranks again. holding myself in readi
 ness to do all can for our honorable pro | fesson.
 In Surrendering Gavel.
 Tn surrendering the gavel l want t
 thank each of you for the support an,
 assistance given me during my severa
 terms of office. feel that 1 need not tel vou that our annual gatherings have beel
 a source of great pleasure to me; and a continue the journey of life I shal often look back to these pleasant occa sions, and sometimes, doubtless wish were a boy again As your preslden have done the best I could with tn means at my command, and while hay not. perhaps. made the progress you like feel that you will be charitable nougl
 to say that my mistakes were errors o
 the head and not of the heart, and tha