The San Francisco call., 1905-01-11

At the twenty-ninth annual conven-
tion of the Fire Underwriters Asso-
citation of the Pacific, which opened in
this city yesterday, President j. L..
Fuller urged upon the field men," the
experts connected with the fire under
writing of the Pacific Coast, the TAX
ing of a very important step. Some
time ago the executive committee or
the association, which represents a ter
ritory extending from Montana to
Texas and the entire Pacific Coast, ad-
vocated the formation of d federation
of insurance associations in the United
States. similar to those that exist on
the other side of the Atlantic.
A federation prospers IN Great Brit
ain and Ireland. The executive COM
mittee of the Pacific Association has
already sent invitations to other or
ganizations of insurance men in the
United States, but has received no
response yet to the suggestion that a
great association shall be formed.
President Fuller reviewed the steps
that have been taken elsewhere. He
said that in comparison with the in
surance Institutes of Great Britain and
Ireland none of the insurance organi-'
cations Of the United States have ad-
vanced in technical education to the
Possibly" said President Fuller, 1.-The
time is premature, but technical train
ing in underwriting is needed"
1t was time for the subject to be
considered. Incidentally President Full
Ter gave an account of what has been
done elsewhere. This in part is as
follows:
shall try to point out the way that has
been 'blazed' by brethren In Great
H.
tuaries. which founded in 1S4s While
this institute, as the n6ne implies, is devoted
to life insurance. its existence and workings
influenced the formation of other life insti-
tutes and also those combining fire and life
the first OF the latter class being the Institute
of Manchester. which founded in 1873
In the course Of time nine other combined fire
and life institutes were founded. all en-
bodying about the same educational scope.
which includes regular course OF study and
examination of students.
In 1897 these Institutions ten in number
of Insurance Institutes of Great Britain and
Ireland which is the only federation of insur-
ance institutes in the world to-day.
The value that is placed upon the privilege
of being recognized by this federated body is
demonstrated by the action of friends just
across the border line. in Canada, where there
Toronto These two institutions work jointly
in the educational course and are now prac-
tically members of the federated body on the
other side OF the water.
PAINTS STRONG PICTURE.
President Fuller, whose address was
filled with practical thoughts from be-
ginning to end, strongly recommended
the better education of the younger
insurance men in underwriting and in
whatever appertains to it, and said in
part:
Here we are. one hundred companies strong,
handling a premium income aggregating up
ward of S15.O00,0 COO annually, without the
proper educational safeguard. Just think of
this too by way Of comparison: The head
office staff f-one company alone constitutes
the active membership of one of the institutes
included in the Federation of Insurance Insti-
tutes of Great Britain and Ireland. Further
more. insurance institute work, far as
can learn. is confined to the English speaking
countries of the globe and the United States
of education. Just see where we stand
Circled around US is Great Britain and Ire
land with eleven institutes, Australia with
four New Zealand with two South Africa with
one and Canada with two.
In view OF the foregoing, the question now
arises: Must we continue in the narrow path.
or shall we broaden our course and try to
keep up with the procession of educated work.
ers? II the latter course be decided upon let
us act now and have it said that the first
recognized insurance institute founded in the
United States was established under the aus
pices of the Fire Underwriters Association OF
the Pacific.
Long and earnest applause testified
to the favor that was accorded to the
suggestions made by President Full
Ter. A. committee will consider and
report to-day and will probably make