The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-06-08
UNDERWRITERS ARE
 IN SESSION HERE About 0nd Hundred Are Attend ing the Annual Meeting ADDRESSES ARE MADE Alderman Parker Welcomes the Ala bama Association to 6lrlngham
 In Behalf of the Mayor
 and Citizens.

The tenth annual convention of the Ala bama Fire Underwriters association Is in session in Birmingham. The body was called to order yesterday afternoon at o'clock in the Commercial club rooms, and the session will terminate with She banquet to be given tonight at the Coun- | try club.
 l Between seventy-five and one hundred delegates are attending the convention It Is one of the largest gatherings of un- derwriters ever held in the state The programme contains a number of impor- tant matters and great interest is being manifested in the papers and discussions.
 The association held only one session yesterday, and adjourned shortly after o'clock in order that the members might take In the ball game between Birming ham and Shreveport. The second ses- sion will be held this morning. and this afternoon it is probable that thorough inspection of the fire department will be made.
 In calling the meeting to order yester- day afternoon President James K. Glennon of Mobile said:
 "I feel specially honored at being the mouthpiece to extend greetings to the membership of the Alabama Fire Under writers association at It's tenth annual meeting, especially in greeting you in the great city of Birmingham, the wonder of the century to it's resources, wealth, growth. development and hospitality Ycu all remember well the pleasant result of the meeting held here before, and tho many courtesies extended to us by the underwriters and citizens of the Magic City.
 You have work before you of great in- terest and 1t is hoped that the good things in store for us may be so arranged that all may be fin full attendance at the meet ing and lend your advice and assistance to it's betterment, and l specially want you not to be led astray by the tempting things that will be said to you by the 1 Hon. John L. Parker of the Board of A. dermen of Birmingham, whom have the pleasure of presenting to you
 Address of Welcome.
 In the absence of Mayor Ward Alderman John l.. Parker made the address of welcome. He said that Birmingham was glad to greet the fire underwriters and glad that they had hoonred the city by selecting 1t as the place for holding the annual meeting. He spoke of the great benefit of fire insurance companies to the people, protecting them as they do from losses by fire and water. He also spoke of the local agent as a man who was the connecting link between the policyholder and the company. Through this local agent. MT Parker said, many equitable adjustments were made and many claims settled that would otherwise be protested and possibly cause trouble and misunder- standings. The speaker referred to the onward march of Birmingham and how the city had grown as if by magic He also pictured It's future greatness.
 In regard to the fire department Mir. Parker said that after a number of con ferences with representatives of the fire insurance companies In the shape of a committee from the Southeastern Tariff association, the city had materially in- creased it's fire department. It had bought the best and most modern fire equipment that could be had, it had increased the number of men in the department, and had also greatly enlarged the department
 in other ways. He said that chief had been elected in whom the city authorities and the people had the greatest confidence and that he was organizing the depart- | ment along lines that would make 1t one of the best in the country.
 The speaker invited the delegates to in- srect the fire department, and expressed a hope that they would find 1t all that was claimed for 1t. In conclusion, he said | that the citizens of Birmingham were al- 1 ways glad to have the fire underwriters meet in Birmingham and that he hoped | the association would see fit to choose Birmingham again in near future as a meeting place.
 In response to the address of welcome James H. Glennon of Mobile said:
 Responses to Welcome. | "Mr President, Mir Parker, and Cen
 tlemen of the Alabama Fire Underwrt-
 CTS Associations
 "It affords me the keenest pleasure to respond to the cordial welcome of MT Parker Yet before doing so l want to thank the committee on programme | for choosing my humble self for such q 1 pleasing and honorable task While ap- l preciatng calling on me I fear that they | have chosen unwisely. for in the rank and | file of this association there are many better fitted by age. experience and elo- | quence to more suitably respond than | myself. I therefore crave your indulgence.
 "In thanking the Hon. John l.. Parker 1 for this welcome to Birmingham I know 1 that I but voice the sentiments of every l member of the association In saying that | we are delighted to be here.
 Our annual meetings combine both business and pleasure and there is all | ways a goodly share of each. Our business 1 features have done much toward strength l ening HIS both collectively and Individuality | I believe that whatever transpires at our 1 meetings rebounds greatly to the n- l dfvdual benefit of every member, and ] know that the companies show a respect | fui interest in our doings.
 '"rhe social feature of these meetings, | to my mind tend greatly to the uplft- | ing of us all and help to bind US more | strongly together. IL is always pleas | aire to renew old acquantances and nak- | ing new ones As each succeeding year