Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-19

The phase of the disaster at San Fran
cisco which affects the IRE Insurance. conn
panies naturally attracts good deal OF
interest among the fire insurance men OF
this city. While the Ere that Is destroying
so much property was primarily caused by
the earthquake, still. as 1t is understood
here. so long as the buildings were injured
or destroyed by fire the liability Of the
insurance companies exists.
In one particular the situation differs
from that of the Baltimore fire, as In the
latter case a large line of risks were car
ried by local companies. while IL is SAID
that in the western city what are called
foreign compa MES, or those with home
offices abroad carried the bulk OF the
risks.
Two of the local San Francisco companies
are represented In this city, and in both
instances Mr. Joseph H. Bradley Is the
agent. But these companies rank among
the largest in the world in their assets. and
they will undoubtedly be able to meet their
losses, heavy though they may be. They
were not confined to local business but had
agencies all over the country
There was vague sort of rumor that
found some circulation in financial circles
today in regard to the local telephone COM
pany and a plan for ref1nancin8 it. In Gris1,
this plan, as alleged. contemplated the tu. n
ing over to the control of local men the
present or ganization and its business, Ih!s
would mean that the present control no"
held by the parent Bell company. would De
changed to new hands or other hands
The only reason given for such move
by those who presented this theory OF
change was that the attitude of Congre 50
would be more favorable to a company tna1
was thus organized. The whole tMng IS 80
indefinite and nothing is known about such
a plan in quarters where 1t would seem
likely there would be some inkling If such
move was contemplated. that 1t haroiy
seems that 1t can be clas5ed among the
proba bilities of the future.
In this connection one of the members OF
the stock exchange, who has frequeneI!
expressed himself with vigor puDilciy a.
the meetings in regard to what ne oran9s
as a poor service, says that bona noe
offer will be made to take over this iran
chise at fair price and guarantee that
better service will be given and at less
money than Is now the case
There is some talk OF a movement IN
Congress in favor of changing the present
scale of taxing corporations in this DIS
trict. but 1t is thought that nothing VIII
be done at the present session, as the only
opportunity that would be afforded to IN
troduce such a measure. unless a separate
bill was framed, would be the street rail-
way bill that is TO provide the authority
for the existing railways to have access 10
the plaza in front of the new union depot.
Whatever movement from the western
earthquake felt In this city as the seism0-
graph at the office of the weather bureau
in this city shows was the case it did not
get as far as the stock exchange.
In fact. some days have now passed when
anything of the sort has been experienced
at the daily meetings. and while an earth
quake is not desired as far as known. still
a more active business would no doubt be
acceptable to the majority of the members.
Today was no exception to the rule 1t Is
pretty hard in such a market to come to
any conclusion that is worth anything, but
it appeared from the trading in gas stock
that the bottom In the recent decline in
that stock has been reached at and about
Go. But there may be still lower levels.