The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-05
In the Insurance EUortd:
NelOs and Notes of Interest

Dr. John Pitman has taken position
with the Interstate Life Assurance Com
pany.
The New Jersey Plate Glass Insurance
Company has applied for admission to In
diana and will probably be licensed this
week.
The Mutual Life and Trust Company, of
Des NIoines. Ia, has been absorbed by the
Central Life Assurance Society, also Of
Des Moines.
W. e. Barton. formerly general agent Of
the Union Casualty and Surety Company
for Indiana, has taken district agency Of
the Travellers.
Inspector Birch, of West SUPERIOR Wis,
has been appointed inspector of the Evans
vile. Ind, board. He is recognized as very
capable I. NJ. GOodloe of the Indianapolis
fire inspection, will continue to keep an
oversight Of Evansville affairs.
A Texas insurance company. recently or
ganized. has taken the name Ineeda Insur-
ance Company. The organizers seem to
have lost sight OF the fact that an insur-
ance company should have dignity in name
well in conduct if it is to inspire pub
lie confidence.
To the low temperature which prevailed
throughout the United States during Janu-
airy is attributed the heavy fire loss record
of the month. During January. 1893 losses
were estimated al Sl3, $780, while the Janu-
airy just ended exceeded that sum by from
100000 to 100000.
The Union Casualty and Surety Company,
which recently sold its business to various
companies, is taking out licenses in some
States, owing to it's contracts with the
United Underwriters Company of New
York, for which it issued coupon policies.
1t may decide TO continue this monthly pay
ment business.
The American Central Life Insurance
Company last Saturday held the first of its
regular monthly meetings for agents. About
thirty were present and programme,
which included number of papers, was
carried out. Many companies are now hold
ing meetings of a similar nature for their
agents and the results in new business and
in new ideas fully justify the scheme.
Superintendent of Agencies Williams, of
the American Central Life Insurance Com
pany, of this city, says that an unusual
number of new agents have been added to
his company's field force since the begin
ming of the year Among the more i'm
portant appointments are those of w. a.
Groom, as manager for southern Michigan,
and W. A. COverdale for western Pennsyl-
vania.
The Prudential Insurance Company has
for number of years led all others in the
amounts of its tax payments to the Indiana
Insurance Department. Its payments for
1903 still place it at the head of the list. It's
tax on Indiana business for the last six
months of the year was $15,92S 60. and for
the first half S14, 49, a total for the year $780,
1921 The New York Life was second with
S24,527 81.
The LIST of February was awaited with
some anxiety by Chicago fire insurance
men, as that was the date on which peace
settlement was TO be secured in the affairs
of the Chicago Underwriters Association
or all agreements were to be declared off
and a big rate war was TO have been in
augurated. Pacific measures have prevailed
and it is now claimed that harmony is
assured.
Several fire insurance companies are re-
sisting the payment of a loss in Topeka.
Kan, which resulted from fire that was
caused by water-rather a unique cause for
flood last summer, and was the result of
the high water, which reached a stock of
wool in the warerooms of the Western
Wooden Mills Company and caused it to
heat. The high water at this time also
caused a number of fires by flooding ware
houses where lime was stored.
- =
The annual meeting of the Indiana Asso-
citation of Life Underwriters will be held
next Monday. The meeting is important,
as officers will be elected and plans will be
discussed for the preparation of entertain
ment and accommodations for the delegates
to the annual meeting of the national asso-
ciation which IS to be held here next fall.
The association in Indiana is growing rapid
ly at present The banquet which was held
last week has done much to Increase inter-
est and attract the attention of those agents
who are not members.
+
Guilford A. Deitch, of the indianapolis
bar, delivered a very interesting address
last week before the Fire Insurance Club of
Chicago. entitled Policy Writing by the
Agent" He impressed his hearers with the
importance of exercising extreme care in
the writing of policy forms. Much of the
litigation over insurance CLAIMS results from
the slipshod manner in which some agents
permit policies to be written in their offices.
This important part OF an agents business,
Mr.. Deitch maintained. should not be left
to some irresponsible clerk, but should have
his own careful personal attention.
Chicago fire insurance general agency
has under consideration a peculiar claim
from ST. Louis under a use and occupancy
policy covering a dwelling occupied by the
owner. A servant was set on fire by an ex-
nlosion and was burned to death, and the
family promptly vacated the premises, on
the claim that the odor of burning flesh
was uncomfortable, and on the advice by
their physician that it would injure their
health. They have now been out about
Joint tariff is a mere subterfuge to give
concession in rates.
The Big Four has issued circulars giving
notice of the adjustment or the nnllleo
route to Jacksonville. Formerly no tickets
were sold over the Louisville & Nashville,