The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-04-20
INSURANCE men WIN.
Anti Trust Cases Decided in Fa-
vor of Companies.

Judge Hazen this morning decided the
antitrust cases against the Aetna Fire
Insurance company and 81 others III
favor Of the companies. He decided
that the fact that they used the Ed
ridge rate book did not cause them TO
be In a trust or a combine.
Judge Hazen's opinion, as delivered
from the bench this morning, was brief.
He simply announced that the allega-
lions against the Aetna and the "a
other conGanies did not show them to
be violating the Kansas antitrust laws.
County Attorney Nichols began the
suits against the insurance companies
March %, 1901, soon after he assumed
the office of county attorney. He
brought the suits to GUST the COM
panies and to recover the fines and
penalties, provided for the violation of
the antitrust law.
The cases will be appealed to the su-
preme court unless the county commits
sioners refuse to bear the expenses of
the appeal
The following is a synopsis of the
finding of fact and conclusions of law
made by Judge Hazen
The Union is not doing business in
Kansas as a union.
Chas E Eldridges notebook or in
spection report furnishes reliable infor-
nation to the insurance companies and
the personal opinion of the author as to
what the rate of insurance should be-
The insurance companies were not con
suited by the author in forming his
opinion.
There was no agreement between
Eldridge and the companies that the
rates recommended by Eldridge should
be adopted The Eldridge advisory rate
was not always followed by the COM
panies and was simply used as means
of information relative to the risk
Eldridee kept the insurance compa-
MES informed of changes in risks
Insurance agents in Topeka have held
meetings to discuss rates and to keep
from cutting rates too low but the in
surance companies had no knowledge of
these meetings
There is no agreement between the
companies and agents that the Eldf1dge
rates shall be adopted.
The insurance companies did not and
do not now attempt to. by any combi-
nation. regulate fire insurance in Shaw
The companies. both union and non
union. nay practically the same COM
mission to agents.
Fire insurance in Shawnee county is
written at a less rate for the last few
years than ever before and at a lower
rate than in Colorado, Nebraska, Mis-
souri, or Oklahoma.
There is nov and has been competi-
ton between the COMPANIES in Shawnee
county.
The rates of the Eldridge book are
/ fair and reasonable and made up IN the
best skin and Judgment of the author
as an insurance EXPERT
'.rThe defendant companies do not COL
stitute a trust or combine within tne
meaning Of the antitrust law to contro
the cost of fire insurance and the plain
tiff is rot entitled to an Injunction as
prayed for in the petition
The following are the names of the 81
companies named as parties to tbs
suit The COMPANIES are all licenset
to do business in Topeka:
The A etna Insurance Co
The A melican Fire Insurance Co
American Central Insurance Co.
Boston Insurance Co.
Connecticut Fire Insurance Co.
Fire Association of Philadelphia.
Firemen,s Fund Insurance Co.
Franklin Insurance Co
German American Insurance Co.
German Alliance Insurance Co.
Greenwich Insurance Co.
Hanover Fire Insurance Co.
Hartford Fire Insurance Co
| Home Insurance Co