The San Francisco call., 1906-06-06
ATWOOD
SAYS He IS
AMAZED
Feels That Public Shows
Undue Hostility to
Companies.
Declares, Though, That the
Quake Losses Viii
Be Deducted.

OAhlAND, uIlc O.--N 1ln nduQS up
lifted in surprise at what he declared
TO be an extraordinary change of front
toward the insurance companies of
America on the part of the people of
San Francisco, the alleged change hav
ing occurred since he left California
for the East two weeks ago, II. +. At
wood, chairman of the Fire Underwrit-
ers adjusting committee of fifteen.
representing the insurance companies
with risks in this vicinity, returned to-
night from New YORK. perturbed and
evidently disgusted at a feeling which
he characterized as unwarranted, un-
fair and certain to be an injury to
the public of San Francisco.
Atwood is the representative from
New York of the Rochester German
Insurance Company. His long expert
ence caused him to be selected as the
head of the committee of fifteen which
has stood. in the public's mind, as
representative of all the great ard
small insurance concerns interested in
the fire disaster in San Francisco. Re
was in attendance at the meeting of
Insurance officials in New York held
last Friday, when a policy regarding
the payment of losses was agreed upon
and promulgated. He returns, sup
pesedly. with much information from
the powers in the East about what is
the feeling regarding payment of
losses and other intricate questions
associated with the insurance problem
here. His counsel is expected to clear
up some of the murk apparently sur
rounding the matter of settling up
affairs. His influence and counsel will
be anticipated by Insurance men with
a feeling that both will avail to serve
in settling things.
At his apartments in the Crellin
Hotel. an hour after his arrival from
New York, Mr.. Atwood said tonight:
1 am amazed at the hostility in evil
dence against the insurance men here.
1t was not so when l left. 1t is a mys-
terry to me that it should exist, or have
been created in the short time that !
nave been absent. 1t is extraordinary.
VERY EASY IN BALTIMORE.
In Baltimore, during all the work of
settling up claims. not word of. ad-
verse comment concerning the insur-
ance companies was printed. After
had arranged for drafts TO the amount
of 100000 to settle my company S
tilla of adverse comment had 1 heard
in all my stay there. Here l find a
food of abuse, of charges of crooked
ness, and suggestions that insurance
men should be in San Quentin" with a
tide of hostility that is amazing, all
sweeping against the insurance com
panies who are trying to settle their
affairs here.
Insurance men are business men.
They are not orators. They are not
going into print. But I am inclined to
break over and say to all in California
that the insurance men are not to be
bulldozed. nor bounded into any set
Elements that are not just nor fair nor
reasonable. / know that Insurance. men
for which they are liable
They Will most certainly not pay
earthquake losses, and that may as
well be announced here and now as at
any time.
The meeting of insurance company
representatives in New York last week
were represented there. The reports
of the action have been sent every
where They decided that earthquake
are concerned. That is to say, where
buildings were damaged by earthquake,
that fact will be taken into considera-
tion in settling losses. If the insured,
and the company that insures him, cam
not agree on compromise under those
circumstances, then the courts will ad-
just the matter. That is all there is
to that.
DEPEND ON THE LAW.
That being so, it is unfair and fool
ish to blackguard the companies or
their men here, and to assume that
bulldozing will accomplish any good.
Ii there is dishonest insurance man
help his game and play into his hands.
Understand, / say if there is such a
llSnCIlcSt Hldll mere On the ground, the
policy of soaring people by talking
about the danger of not being paid
losses will help the game of such a
man.
The policy of putting yourself in a
mans place is a good one to follow
Consider the insurance company's side
of the affair Remember that the men
of those companies are business men
knowing their responsibilities to ali
sides. and guided by law and knowledge
of law which limits and prescribes their
actions. Believe that they are honest
men and capable men, as they assured
| ly are. and having done this. cease
abusing them and take this matter un
| in a fair way. with patience on both
sides. and the result will be much bet
The insurance companies are pre-
pared with proofs where earthquake
| losses are in dispute. Abundance al
Photographic matter is in our hands
| 1t will all be used to insure fairness
on both sides. Incidentally, it NAV he
considered as an extraordinary thin Q
| that in the first 1000 claims suibmitted
to insurance men in San Francisco
after the earthquake and fire eyerv
man fling a claim swore that his
property was uninjured by the earth
quake. l say, that is extraordinary
| Please consider the insurance men,
position under such circums ia noes
| put yourself in their places. Remem.
! Der that earthquake clauses are In
/ their policies, and that they believe ar
ft,r a l<o