The San Francisco call., 1906-05-04

NEW YORK, May s.-The Tribune
today says: Representatives OF both
foreign and American frs Insurance
companies who were In the city yes
compromise In the adjustment OF
losses by the San Francisco fire. The
discussion was largely upon the Ques-
tion as to the attitude the adtusters
Of companies should be instructed to
take in regard to the disputed Ques-
tions The great companies express
a strong purpose to be not only just,
but generous IN cases Of doubt with
the victims OF the fire. but they all
evidently feel what was expressed by
the president Of q large American
company, who said:
'The adjusters for this company Will
not be allowed to waive the condi-
tions OF its policies, nor the conditions
and restrictions of its charter. We
have no more right to pay loss oc-
casioned by earthquake than We have
to pay loss of life. We are not an
earthquake Insurance company, nor
life insurance company"
Because Of exemption from loss by
earthquake damage well-informed in
surance men estimated yesterday that
the companies would ultimately pay
from 60 to 70 per cent Of the aggregate
amount Of risk.
LONDON, May "A meeting Of the
representatives Of the several British
fire insurance companies interested In
San Francisco was held In London to-
day. 1t was unanimously agreed to
send joint dispatch to Oakland TO
the following effect:
Under any circumstances the Brit
ish companies viii only pay losses for
which they are legally liable. since to
go beyond their contracts would be IL
legal They cannot recognize any LA
bility for damage by earthquake
where no fire ensued. nor for damages
to buildings pulled down or destroyed
by order of the San Francisco author
ities."
The committee OF insurance officials
of Oakland is directed in the general
interest and before the removal Of
the debris to employ Immediately the
best available engineers and survey
ors to investigate and report In detail
tho earthquake damage In the burned
area
Three British off1ces-the Alliance
the Commercial Union of Norwich and
the Union-whose San Francisco poll
cies contain clauses excluding liability
for fires due to earthquakes. have sent
kilograms to their agents at San
Francisco explaining that while con-
curing In the resolution quoted above
they do so without prejudice to the
special position they occupy.
NEW YORK. May s--An important
omission was made in the transmits
sion of a dispatch from London last
night giving the text OF the joint dis
patch sent to Oakland. Cal, as q re-
suit of the meeting Of the represent
atives of several British insurance
companies. The message should have
read:
Under any circumstances the Brit
ish offices will only pay the losses for
which they are legally liable, since to
go beyond their contracts would be
illegal They cannot recognize any
liability for damage by earthquake
where no fire ensued. nor for damage
by fire to fallen or partly fallen
buildings. nor for damages to buildings
pulled down or destroyed by order OF
the San Francisco authorities"
HARTFORD, Conn.,. May 3.-The es-
timated net losses of the Hartford In
surance companies in the recent San
Francisco fire. as given out by the off,
cials Of the companies today. are as
follows:
Aetna 81. 700. 900. Hartford Fire So
50. 600. National Fire s1.5o0.000 Orient
100000. Phoenix sl.sooOoa. Scottish