The San Francisco call., 1906-08-13
Up To WILHELM
To DISCIPLINE
WELCHERS.
Grand Jury viii Appeal to
the Kaiser to Force the
German Firms to Pay
BELIEVED TO BE
WITH PEOPLE
Ruler Has Declared He
Would Make Example
of the Unfair Companies

OF the Unfair Companies
HE Grand Jury is preparing to
deal directly with Kaiser wilhelm
Of Germany in the hope that ha
will aid in bringing some OF tha
insurance companies of his country to
time Red tape does not appeal to the
present inquisitoriaI body. There has
been too much of it in evidence since
the insurance question came under its
observation. so it has determined to go
direct to headquarters after the WEIGH
ers.
The Grand Jury realizes that many OF
the big German companies that refuse
to pay their policy-holders are solvent.
1t also realizes that these companies
are seeking loopholes in the law in an
effort to evade payment The laws or
this State cannot reach them, inasmuch
as their assets are for the most part
located IN Germany. hence the appeal
to the German Emperor.
KAISER is sYMPATHETIc.
Some time ago the Kaiser volunteered
the statement that he would make an
example of any OF the German compa-
MES that did not do the fair thing by
their policy holders Since then he has
been silent But the Grand Jury is OF
the opinion that he is still with the
people who lost their all. and Will
harken to a appeal that comes direct
from high Official body representing
the city Of San Francisco.
This appeal will be drawn up in legal
form and signed by nineteen members
Of the jury and by Judge Graham, the.
presiding Judge. Attached will be a
careful review OF the entire situation,
in which the stand taken both by the
insurance companies and by the policy
holders will be fully explained so that
all the evidence necessary to a Just
Judgment will be before the Kaiser
The Grand Jury believes the German
ruler does not fully understand the
conditions in San Francisco. 1t has
been learned that the general opinion
in the Fatherland is that this city was
leveled by the earthquake and that a
lot of scheming Yankees are trying to
force the German insurance companies
into paying out money that should
rightfully stay in the old country and
earn honest interest.
BROUGHT 1T on THEMSELVES.
This action on the part OF the Grand
Jury is the result OF the schemes and
devices OF the sharp lawyers and ad-
induce the poliey-holders to settle their
claims for half their face value.
X this communication Is recognized
and a favorable reply received much
will have been accomplished toward a
speedy liquidation of the debts owed by
the German companies to the people OF
San Francisco. II the Kaiser ignores
the document, or refuses to interfere,
there is no harm done and some other
means VIII be brought to bear in order
that the German corporations may be
forced 10 pay.
The Grand Jury has received word
that the several attorneys and adjust
ers who have recently been subpenaed
TO show their documents and photo
graphs OF buildings are endeavoring TO
squirm out on a technicality- These
men. it is said. will ignore the subpe-
mas OF the local Grand Jury on the
ground that they are now doing busi-
ness in Alameda County and that their
documents and other possessions can
not be examined by the local jury.
ALAMEDA JURY TO COOPERATE.
In order to thwart this scheme the
local body will communicate with the
Alameda County Grand Jury today and
ask that body to cooperate with 1t so
that the insurance men may be brought
to time. 1t Is expected the Alameda
jury will. listen TO this call for aid.
Assistant District Attorney Harrison
has looked up the law on this point and
his conclusion is that the local jury has
legal right to subpoena these lawyers
and adjusters from another county But
in order that they may not escape. tho
Alameda County jury will be commu-
nlcated with.
The cases OF the Insurance. men will
come up again before the Grand Jury
wednesday afternoon. 1t is the inten-
tion OF the jurors to subpoena several
more witnesses, both attorneys and ad-
justers. The inquisitorial body intends