Omaha daily bee., 1906-02-08
INSURANCE FOR LUNBERMEN
Protection from Fire on Mutual Basis
Advocated BY the Convention,
THREE HUNDRED DELEGATES PRESENT
President snyder aud Secretary
CritchneId Advocate several re-
form Measures In Their Mes
sages 20 Association.

with a register showing VO names the
Nebraska Lumber Dealers association be-
gan its sixteenth annual convention Wednes-
day morning in the Auditorium. The time
OF the forenoon session was mainly taken
up with the address of the president, the
reports OF secretary and treasurer and the
appointment of committees. More than 100
men were present which is remarkably
good for the first session, when the bust
ness is principally OF a routine nature.
President o. o. Snyder OF O'Neill called
the convention to order promptly at 1890
and read his annual address.
The report OF Secretary BIRD S. Critch-
field of Lincoln covered an extensive held,
the most important subjects being those OF
mutual insurance and demurrage.
Mr. Critichfeld told of the efforts of the
lumbermen to organize a mutual insurance
company. After consultation with Dep
uty Insurance Auditor Pierce the orig
inators OF the plan framed a copy Of arti-
Giles. the plan and purpose Of which is
Identical with that of the Retail Lumber
mems Insurance association OF Minneap-
OILS The 100 members required for or
ganization were secured, but at a called
meeting the representation was so small
1t was thought best to defer the organiZa-
ton until the annual convention, and in
the meantime try to secure 300 members
the number requisite under the law for the
issuance Of 5000 policies.
Address of President.
III his annual address President y. y.
Snyder of ONeill declared the association
returned its endorsement of year ago
Of President Rcosevelts railway rate reg
ulation policy, gave a warm hand to kits
Trade Display Exhibit idea, asserted
that the associations members were pros
porous, jubilant and hopeful. but trusted
that since the price OF lumber had
advanced seven times since the last con-
| vention, 1.-The manufacturers might give
| us breathing spell and some encourage
| ment by holding off another advance until
| after the assessor is through sizing up
things the first of April He advocated,
| in behalf of himself and the association.
! the insurance department to which the
! association had previously committed itself
| and said one of the prime objects OF the
! association was the creation of such an
adjunct. He hoped the board of directors
would take speedy action on 1t.
Mr. Snyder said:
| The last year mas been one in which the
/ 'searchlgh or puDnc lnNeeusatlpn mas
played a prominent part. Here it Is, that
! with the uniformed we arc sometimes
wrongfully termed the lumber trust
I Nothing is more foreign to our constitution
and association principles than the idea OF
! even attempting to regulate the supply or
tho fixing Of a price on any commodity,
which any lumber dealer throughout the
state desires to place on the market. Vast
differences in freight rates the different
classes of lumber and building materials
banded at various points with the local
conditions at a wide variance, successfully
bar and effectually destroy the very
thought Of such a term. Furthermore. the
| original intent OF the early organizers of
| our association, which in the main has
| been attained was along the line OF better
! ments, the same being alike beneficial both
| to the retail lumber dealer and his custo-
mer
Several Things Wanted.
Since association efforts have been put
forth a more uniform system of grading
has been adopted and bureau of inspec-
ton of grades has been established, better
and more rapid traffic arrangements are in
effect; we are also thoroughly investiga tin :
the advantages and merits that some
classes of building materials have over
Others. and those best adapted to builders
use in our STATE; the use of new woods as
they have at various times been placed on
the market, the interchanging of ideas OF
how best 10 improve the business of the
retail lumber dealer by adopting new meth
ode, and of the benefits to be derived by
carrying insurance in a strictly mutual
lumbermens insurance company. These
and numerous other advantages to be at
tanned by association efforts appealed to
the retail lumbermen OF our state to the
end that nearly 50 per cent OF those in the
retail business are enrolled as members OF
our association. Frankly. our constitution
can be read by anyone, our annual meet
ings are open and are always attended by
the representatives of the pubic press, and
this year a new feature. in the way OF a
trades display exhibit. is added, which VIII
| without doubt prove Il popular addition tC
this years convention and interest of those
present. Not only our members and visiting
lumbermen. but the public as well. are most
cordially invited to visit the display and
inspect and enjoy the same.
our members are alive with the
reciprocal idea" said Mr. Snyder. He
bespoke a close and cordial relation be.
tween the retail and wholesale lumber
dealers OF the state. He spoke warn
word in favor OF the action that had beer
taken in the nation for forestry preserva.
ton.
Beside feicitating the association AM
Omaha, President Snyder closed by say
ing:
l would recommend that the Legislative,
committee appointed a year ago, and who's,
excellent work viii be made mention o.
I'm our secretary's report be continued fol
another year, and in all cases of disput,
with railroad companies as to the collec
ton and payment of demurrage charges
the chairman of this committee &C
as arbitrator for our association. Further
more, IL this committee is continued. oui
be in a position TO look after the inter
ests of the association and it's member,
on bills covering the demurrage PROPOSE
ton or affecting changes in the mechanics
lien laws now in force upon our statut,
books, II same is introduced at our mex
| session of the legislature.
Secretary for Demurrage.
Concerning demurrage Secretary Critch
field said
| At the last annual convention held in Lin
coin January IL and 10, 1905 your conven
ton appointed a committee to take up tn
, question of demurrage, with the view o
having a bill introduced in the legisla tur
then In session. which would regulate de
murrage charges. The bill was prepare,
and placed in the hands of one Of our sen
ators, who is also one of our prominen
members, but was afterward withdrawn b.
request OF the committed
| The Coal Dealers association had a Xix
committee appointed at their annual meet
ing. and by special arrangement the tw
| committees, together with representa- tive
i ! of several railroads. held a meeting a
| Omaha February "A. 1906 After a full dis
| cussion of the question an agreement wa
entered into which Is follows:
by and between the railroad companie
of the state Of Nebraska and the coal an
/ lumber dealers associations with referenc
! / to demurrsge rules. effective March l. 1876
z THAT no demurrage will be collected h
Nxha oh