Los Angeles herald., 1908-08-19
UNDERWRITERS
SPEEDILY GET
DOWN TO WORK
PRESIDENT EDWARDS MAKES
ANNUAL ADDRESS
URGES FEDERAL SUPERVISION OF
INSURANCE
Nominating Committee Will Be Ap-
pointed Today and Resolutions
Presented for Discussion
by the Convention


tional convention of life underwriters
satisfied both national and local officers
that the convention would accomplish
all that had been planned for it. A
great deal of anxiety attached to the
Los Angeles meetings because 1t was
hoped an impetus would come from
them which would aid in relieving in
surance agents from the depressing
situation that followed the trouble in
New York. Those in charge are con-
fident that a widespread influence and
encouragement will follow this weeks s
convention. The only disappointing
feature has been that the attendance
has not been as great as had been
counted on, but the officers say this
is not surprising when the number or
agents who have dropped out of the
business is considered.
I'm spite of the year of hardships and
encouragement, and the consequent
withdrawal of many members, our rec
ord still shows loss of only ninety
eight members" said Secretary Will A.
Waite In his annual report yesterday,
land we have in prospect the admis-
sion soon of new associations at Bur-
lington, Vt; Charleston, S. c.; Sioux
Falls, S. D.; Memphis and Nashville,
Tenn, and the City of Mexico"
The tone of the convention was ex-
tremely optimistic. A noticeable pro-
fessional pride ran through all ad-
dresses and talks, many of the dele
gates emphasizing feeling of trustee
ship toward their policyholders which
makes them rank their work among
the highest of professions.
President Charles Jerome Edwards
led off with this view in his annual adj
dress, in which he took an extremely
optimistic survey of the years progress
in life insurance matters
"The spread of the insurance idea and
the opportunities afforded for writing
new business" he said, will far out
measure the losses springing from tenn
porary causes which have checked the
development of the business for the
moment. There is a necessity resting
on us, during this period Of difficulty
and trial, of clearing our own houses
of so raising the morale of the business
in the field that by the time unfair and
hurtful restrictions are removed the
tone and personnel of the business Will
be such that there will be no danger OF
recurrence of those evils which were
made the excuse for legislative control
of our compensation"
Denounces Taxation Mania
President Edwards did not mince
words in discussing policies which have
barassed the insurance companies, and
the convention continually backed him
UP with applause and cheering
zone condition which most particu-
larly affects every policyholder of to-
day and is more scandalous," he de-
clared than has occurred even to the
widest Imagination of the yellow jour-
nalist, is the prevailing mania for taxa
tion with which every state legislature
has become inoculated. This gigantic
gouge of ten millions per annum upon
the American life insurance companies
disguised as tax upon premiums, Is
tn Nv IA v prudence
thrift by the lawmaker, who is himself
thoughtless or careless of the interest
and welfare of the policyholder
1.-THE remedy for all this is the hand
writing on the wall-federal super
vision which will put a stop to graft
eliminate extraneous expenses, foster
fair conditions and give us the far
reaching benefit of uniform laws"
Mr.. Edwards reviewed in detail the
progress made in various lines OF life
underwriting and dwelled specially on
legislation.
The meetings are being held with
the snap. and businesslike attention
to eXpediting affairs which character
ICES isurance men. Yesterdays morn
ing session was called to order on time,
and the invocation which opened IL
was pronounced by Rev. Baker L. Lee
of Christ Episcopal church, who prayed
for life insurance in this life as next
in Importance to soul insurance.
City Forester e. j. Harper made the
first address of welcome, speaking for
his brother, Mayor Harper who was
unable to be present.
Los Angeles never felt life quite
so safe as it is today" said Mr.. Har-
per, with so many life insurance men
here"
The welcome for the California life
insurance men was given by George l..
Cochran, president of the Pacific Mu-
4 VINO
said: you have come to the most
beautiful and fairest of states, and we
are proud to welcome you to the City
of the Angels" Mr.. Cochrans ad-
dress was interesting to the delegates
because it dealt mainly with the tech
nical side of life underwriting, which
he called "the most useful of all pro-
fessions and most philanthropic of all
works; the most practical form of So
cialism and the most beneficial form
of material religion" In reviewing the
field work from the standpoint of the
executive Mr.. Cochran urged liberal
attitude of the companies toward the
compensation of agents.
Cheers for Wilmington
Speaking for the Life Underwriters
association of Los Angeles, it's presi-
dent, John w. Wilmington, assured
the convention at its meetings would
be of great benefit to California in
realizing closer unity ana Wlder IN
fluence of work among the states un-
derwriters. For himself, as well as
for the local association and its COM
mittees, the convention gave Mr.. Whit
tington an ovation of applause and
cheers lasting several minutes. He
concluded his speech by presenting gold
badges to National President Edwards
and Secretary Waite as mementoes of
the welcome extended by the Los An
geles underwriters
After the addresses of welcome the
convention disposed of large amount
of routine work. j. Edward Meyers of
Minneapolis. H. ]. Powell of Louis
vile and 1. j. Muma of Los Angeles
were appointed the committee on ere
dentials.
Delegates presenting credentials from
local associations were as follows: !.
Baltimore-Ernest ]. Clark, Frederick
] Johnson Buffalo-Frank w. Tracy.
Chicago-T. L. Fansler. Cleveland-G.