The San Francisco call., 1906-08-24
AGREE TO COMBAT
FIVE WELCHERs.
Stakes of S15,000,O 900 Stir
the Policy-Holders to
Make a Joint Move
INDORSED

Owing $4,000 900 to the people of San
Francisco as fire losses, the Austrian
Phoenix. German of Hamburg, Rhine
and Meselle, Transatlantic and German
of New York insurance companies were
classed yesterday by F. w. Dehfmann
before a room full OF their policy
holders as Eve runaway companies"
They have paid no losses in San Fran
cisco. Two have departed from the
city without leaving any representa-
tive behind them and all deny liability
for loss.
Between 400 and 500 policy holders
of these five corporations gathered at
Calvary Presbyterian Church yesterday
afternoon to see what could be done
They came at the invitation of the
Policy holders League. F. w. Dohr-
mann, as chairman of the executive
committee of the league, proceeded at
once to enlighten them concerning the
leagues general programme.
The league will try to help get your
money" he said. 1T will cost you
per cent of the face value of your
policies All the five insurance corpor-
ations that we will call the runaway
companies are able to pay II they wish
to do SO. Their liabilities on account
of the fire are about sl5,00o,0 ,000. We
will have to fight them. Four of the
companies are in Europe. One is in
this country and is controlled by one
Of the others.
WANTED SUIT BROUGHT.
"A representative of company who
came TO San Francisco told me that he
was held responsible at home by the
stockholders for what he did and here
the policy holders held him liable.
Bring a suit to decide he begged
This is one of the hardest OF our fights.
If we must fight in Germany and Aus
tria, 1t is time TO begin. The com
panies have withdrawn from this field
and do not seem to care whether they
come back or not. If you do not act
unitedly you will not get your money"
Attorney Redman, for the Policy
holders League. told of the attitude of
the FIVE companies. The Austrian
Phoenix has declared that it's policies
were void because Of an earthquake.
That concern has closed its offices in
San Francisco and has only a legal
representative in the country, whose
sole duty is to set aside legal service
against the company
The Transatlantic Company has the
same attorney as the Austrian Phoenix.
His instructions are to put every one
to proof and to set up that his corpora
tion owes nothing, the earthquake be-
ing the excuse.
The North German OF Hamburg has
an earthquake clause that is useless
as a defense, and that jeopardizes it's
fallen building clause. This company
has engaged two attorneys.
The Rhine and Moselle Company has
not decided upon it's course. The direc-
tors will meet today. SO Redman said,
and then will probably make a state
ment for the information of everybody
iS ne Sai
Redman, but that the Rhine and Mo-
selle is responsible in a large number
of fires that can be traced to other
causes than earthquake. British com
panies have admitted their liability in
such cases.
FIGHT MUST BE MADE.
The North German of New York has
initiated the North German of Ham
burg in that it has not paid a dollar
to policy holders. The shavers among
the insurers, or BARRIERS as they are
now called, will soon come to the end
of their operations. Then there will be
fight with twenty fve or so COM
panies Redman and Dohrmann recon- :
mended united action and said that no
favorable results could be obtained
otherwise.
The plans proposed were taken fav-
orabiy by the policy holders. After a
discussion of various phases of the
matter. in which W.. j. Herrin. K. j.
lie Breton, J. Parker Whitney, NJ.
Greenbaum and others took part. Mark
Gerstle moved that a committee of
five from each of the five companies
should be appointed to cooperate with
the Policy holders League and that
the policy holders of the companies
should join the league. This was
adopted.
Andrew Carrigan made the an
nouncement that while the league
needs money to carry on the big fight
against the derelict companies, no per-
son would be turned down vino wished
the assistance of the league and would
put up some coin with the league and
would pledge a collection on the face of
a policy when such policy was paid.
The meeting was the most enthusias-
tic that has been held by the Policy
holders League. Applause followed
statements concerning the aims OF the
organization. The vote sanctioning the
work was unanimous.