Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-18
SETTLING UP CLAIMS
Insurance Companies May
Meet Drastic Action
IF THEY RESIST PAYMENT
Of Losses Sustained by San Francisco
Insurers.
REPLIES RECEIVED TO APPEAL
Sent Out by Commissioner Wolf Of
California to the Departments
in Other States.
IF THEY RESIST PAYMENT
REPLIES RECEIVED TO APPEAL

buIauCG companies WnlCn MANIFEST an IN
tention of resisting claims and evading pay
ment Of losses sustained by policyholders
in the great fire here by resorting to legal
technicalities will be marked companies and
may meet with drastic action in some states
is indicated by the tenor of replies received
by Insurance Commissioner e. Myron Wolf
In response to his appeal to the insurance
departments Of other states to assist him In
compelling the insurance companies to deal
fairly with their policyholders in the pres
ent crisis. Commissioner Wolf received yes
terday the following official communication
from Samuel p. Davis. state controller Of
Nevada:
II understand that some of the eastern
ana foreign companies are proposing to
crawl behind technicalities in the matter Of
adjusting losses In San Francisco; that four
houses were dynamited to stay the progress
OF the fames-houses which in the natural
course of events would have been swept
away by the fire a few minutes later-they
will refuse to pay the insurance
NOW 1t appears to me that the act of
destroying those buildings was alone what
saved. the rest of the city from total de-
struction and no doubt protected these COM
panies from further loss. II this saving of
additional losses to these companies is to
be made a pretext on their part to evade
their just obligations in settlement Of their
San Francisco liabilities it is prima facie
evidence to me that the companies resorting
to these technicalities dishonest and on
proper showing of these facts I will re-
woke their licenses in Nevada"
Contents of Safety Vaults o. x.
More than 1000 persons, each wearing an
anxious and worried look and impatient
to examine papers and valuables deposited
in the vaults of the California Safe Deposit
and Trust Company stood in line yesterday
waiting the opening of the vaults when the
brick and debris had been cleared away
The contents of the boxes were found in
tact and most Of the depositors left their
valuables in the compartments. The Anglo
California Bank also opened Its vaults and
found books, papers, currency and coin in
perfect condition.
At d. meeting of the clearing house COM
mittee yesterday 1t was decided that the
commercial banks of this city will open for
regular business next Wednesday. 1t Is be-
l1eved that the extended delay has insured
the banks from any panic, that the conf
dence of depositors has been restored, and
that the banks have had ample time to
prepare for any run on them.
Health Officer D. M. Ragan reported to
the board of health yesterday that San
Francisco is no longer in danger of a water
famine and that within a few days the
entire water supply will be in normal
condition again. According to Dr. Ragan's
report the big 44-inch Crystal Springs pipe,
which was broken for 5000 feet, has been
repaired and there is flowing into San Fran
d
which he considers amply sufficient, pro-
v1ding there is no waste.
Workmen's Wages Raised.
The Masons and Builders Association has
raised the wages of bricklayers and brick
layers helpers. Commencing May q brick
layers will receive 81 per day of eight hours
and helpers 81 day. This Is an advance
of 81 day for bricklayers and so cents for
helpers. In a statement that has been Is
sued the Builders Association declares the
supply of this kind of skilled labor Is in
adequate to the demand, and that 1t has
been found necessary to take this action as
an inducement to journeymen to come and
help in rebuilding the city.
F. L. Hadley, secretary Of the Journey
men Bricklayers' Union, is of the opinion
that there are enough bricklayers here to
supply the demand existing, but many of
them are temporarily engaged in repairing
chimneys.
Squabble Over City fractions.
The city and street railway officials of
San Francisco are having a squabble as to
whether or not the street railroads. which
were so badly damaged by the earthquake
as to necessitate rebuilding, shall be recon-
structed with underground or overhead
trolley.
1t is said to be the desire of the city coun-
Gil to abolish the overhead wires, while the
railway companies wish to employ the
same
Beside having conferred with many ex-
perts on electric railway construction
throughout the country, the city govern
ment Is erdeavoring to secure from Wash
ingtonians who are qualified to speak prac-
tical opinions as to the advantages of the
underground system over the overhead troll
ley in case of earthquake and fire as de-
picted In the recent holocaust.