The San Francisco call., 1906-07-31

~ Alliance of London, Norwich
Union, New York Indemnity
Commercial Union of London and
Commercial Union of New York fire
insurance companies, which, together
are liable to San Francisco losers for
many millions of dollars, met yesterday
and resolved to name committee of
seven to prepare a plan to help them
TO recover. Walter H. Robinson, who
presided, was authorized to name seven
persons, including himself and Pelham
w. Ames, secretary of the meeting, tG
proceed with that important work
About a week ago these companies,
through their attorneys, made public
statement to policy holders, in which
liability to San Francisco policy-h hold
ers was denied because of the earth
quake of April Is. The Norwich Union
has since, through it's San Francisco
representative, w. H Lowden, ad-
dressed a communication to each of its
policy holders advising them of the
opening OF an adjusting bureau in this
city and inviting them to come to the
bureau, intimating that the company
is prepared to consider each and every
loss on its merits.
DELAY Is OPPOSED.
Although two of the policy holders
present at the meeting yesterday coun-
seled delay, the general opinion Of
well to have their own organization
and theig own plan of procedure
The meeting was called by commit
tee consisting of Walter H. Robinson
Hugo D. Newhouse, William Spencer
Pelham W. Ames and John Ralph Will
son. Robinson opened the proceedings
and made general explanation of the
situation as it appeared to the com
mittee. He said:
Six British companies have issued an
elaborate statement and have denied
all liability. They have ali the assets
that are necessary to pay their San
Francisco losses. There is no ques-
ton of their ability to pay If they can
preparing for litigation They have
hired attorneys and are making ready
for battle. A letter has been sent to
the the ion policy -hoidsrs Of the Norwich
pany, but that is less satisfactory than
the statement issued by. the six COM
panies.. The communications are vague
and give little light concerning the
intentions Of the insurers.
The six British companies represent
ed here by policy holders expect to be
defeated here in the courts and then
to take the cases to the British courts,
on the. earthquake plea The clauses
regarding earthquake In their policies
dlner. Inc Alliance policies have an
earthquake clause in the body. The
others have the clause in small type
at the bottom. There probably will be
an attempt at adjudication. The COM
mittee wishes to know what policy
shall be followed. Shall a corporation
be formed or shall their interests be
left in the hands of committee?
DECIDE TO ORGANIZE.
A general discussion followed Some
Of the policy holders, among them
Livingston and Clayburgh, advocated
waiting for a few days to see what the
companies would do. w. ]. Herrin,
Hugo D. Newhouse. Sidney Van wyck
Jr., Sanford Figenbaum, w. M. Cannon
and others urged forming some sort Of
an organization at once and the ap-
pointment of a committee to take the
preliminary steps was finally author
lied by vote.
Unite and throw your claims in to-
gether," urged w. ]. Herrin. That
will make it possible TO collect at small
individual expense. What all can ac-
complish acting together would be i'm
possible for an individual Some money
will be necessary. The English solicit
tors in the case of the North German
policy holders want 10 per cent, and
a large retainer down. The English
law recognizes the judgments of Amer
lean courts as final and conclusive on
common principles of law. If we get
judgments here there will be no diff
Guilty in collecting on them in England"