The San Francisco call., 1906-06-09
CHAMBEROF COMMERCE
RECEIVES COMPLAINTS.
Already Finds Much Do Preparing Statements Hghanded
Tactics Of Insurance Companies for Publication

The first complaint book of the Cham
Der Of Commerce Of san Francisco. in
which win be fled complaints of pol
icy-hOIders against insurance compa-
nies. was opened yesterday. Secretary
Burks has devised form for the CLASH
fieation Of all matters that are brought
TO the attention of the Chamber of Com
nerce. This practically amounts to an
index. which at once tells the name of
tie. complainant, the company COM
plained against the number and amount
of policy and the grievance alleged.
The Chamber of Commerce has Sc
cured the services of Professor A W.
Whitney. the insurance expert Of the
University OF California, TO direct the
investigation being made ia insurance
matters. Professor whitney has pecul-
lar qualification for this work, coming
from his long study of fire insurance
and from his practical experience in
connection with his reports made to the
Board of Fire Underwriters of the Pa
cific. He is familiar with the local
conditions. AND has been in close touch
with the situation from the day of the
disaster
The Insurance Commissioner, Mr.
Wolf. and Mr.. Phelan OF the relief COM
mittee are assisting the Chamber of
ODnlNAtALt III lItOElHdAiOil-
is expected also thas the Department of
Commerce and Labor at Washington, d.
c., will cooperate.
Partial reports will be issued as con-
ditions justify. and the final report.
printed in permanent form, will be of
great value TO the commercial world.
IT is presumed that the better insurance
companies will welcome this effort and
cooperate with the chamber as the en-
deavOr win be to give nothing but au-
thentic information.
blank form of inquiry is being pre-
pared by Professor Whitney asking for
specific information. This will be gem
orally distributed to the merchants of
San Francisco. whether members of the
Chamber Of Commerce or not. The
names Of merchants or firms will not
be used in publication, and il is hoped
70 get a prompt and explicit response.
that the report may be of the utmost
value 10 all concerned.
II is proposed TO discuss the peculiar
problem arising in connection with
damage to buildings and stocks from
earthquake and from dynamiting. The
attitude Of foreign and domestic fire
Insurance companies. the policy of max
ing smaller adjustments through per-
sons not familiar with local conditions
and whose compensation is based upon
q percentage of the reductions made
from the face of policies in the settle
ments, the necessity for a uniform style
of policy from all companies securing a
license to write insurance in California
and all such questions viii be consid-
cred
General questions, such as the con-
Migration hazard, the possible economy
Of the larger corporations, with scat
tered risks. carrying their own insur-
anee. the liability of the stockholders
Of insolvent insurance conpanies-in
fact, all questions bearing on the pres
ent situation, will be investigated and
reports issued from competent author
fties,
George E. Butler, one of the trus-
tees and a retired Insurance man OF
high standing and wide experience, has
volunteered to assist in the investiga-
ton and preparation of the report
The chamber asks the cooperation OF
the entire community, whether profes-
sional or mercantile. Written informa-
tion from individuals bearing upon any
of the peculiar questions viii be lrate-
fully appreciated, If signed with the
full name and address All commuafca-
lions should be addressed to the Guam
ber of Commerce Of San Francisco, room
l6, ferry building, San Francisco.
Every mail brings in some communi-
cations that will need attention. Some
letters tell of high-haRded dealings or
the part of the corporations. Every
story will be carefully investigated be
fore IL is given publicity by the Cham
Der Of Commerce.
A business man Of San Jose has writ.
ten to Secretary Burks that when he
went 70 the Office of the Continental
Insurance Company with a policy call
ing for the payment of $4,000 he was
told that the document was worthless
because he had taken out other insur-
ance without the permission of the Con-
fineptal Company.
When he read the policy after he lefi
che insurance Office he found that IL
the terms other insurance was allowed
The insurance people told him. he al.