Semi-weekly herald., 1908-10-22
Insure Against Bryan

Insurance against the election of
William Jennings Bryan.
This is the latest step in the Chicago
business world to obtain protection
against the adversely which is expect
ed to follow If the Nebraskan is sue
cessful at the polls In November. 1t
developed yesterday that the big wool
firm of Silverman Brothers. 1872 Michi-
gan street. was offering to take $780,,
900 policy payable upon a victory fer
Bryan and give check for $4,000 as
premium in return.
This plan was not decided on upon
the spur Of the moment, members of
the firm say. but was agreed to only
line with a sentiment that has been
prevalent for some time, but is the
first proposition of its kind. so far as
is known, that has been offered TO
risk companies in Chicago.
Silberman Brothers handle 25,000,.
900 pounds of wool annually and the
concern antipicated that In the event
that the Democratic national standard
bearer defeats William Howard TAFT
there will be slump in the wool mar
ket to the extent probably of 4 or 5
cents pound.
If the sage of Fairview achieves hts
cherished ambition to grasp the reins
0f government, 1t is calculated that
the 100000 insurance partly will COW
er considerable loss on large
amount of wool Silberman Brothers
purchased this season.
Sigmund SilDerman, a member of
the firm, who is handling the offer,
said last evening that he had made
no attempt to place the risk as yet,
but was willing to pay the premium in
question, providing the policy was fur
nished by some responsible concern.
II think we can easily afford to pay
the premium / have mentioned in
order to be insured against heavy
loss in the event Bryan wins at the
polls in November" he said. There
is no question in my mind that Dem
ocratic victory In the national election
will have a depressing effect on bust
ness. We have gained a pretty good
idea, through information from manu-
facturers. how the wind will blow If
Mr.. Bryan is made the choice of the
electorate.
Manufacturers tell us that the mar
ket for wool will be weak If Taft is
defeated, because slump will occur
and the sales Of clothing by merchants
will decrease. Present indications are
to the effect that New York and Ohio
will be close states in the coming cleo
ton.
THE insurance Idea is one thought
OF short time ago. have talked
with Vice President W. W. Burch of
the American Sheep Breeder company
and others about 1t and think it
would be good policy for our firm
to follow. providing we get satisfac-
tory offer"
Ferdinand Silberman. another mem
Der OF the concern, declared that the
proposition was purely business one
and not the result in any way of pc
litical sentiment
with William Jennings Bryan as
sured of the presidency business sure
ly will be hard hit" he said. "Con.
ditions commercially will be upset,
and we won't have a recovery for at
least six months. The same situation
Obtained when Grover Cleveland was
elected president on the Democratic
ticket. The country. of course, is too
strong to go to pieces. but a triumph
by Democracy means a slump in busi-
ness. l was in Europe throughout
the last summer and l found hard
times there. European countries are
affected by the depression here. /
learned In New York that a fear is
prevalent there that the state Will go
George II. Benedict, member OF the |
committee of the Business |
Mems Taft and Sherman club of Chi |
,ago, declared that steps toward pro-
.ection against loss in business. In the
svent that William Jennings Bryan
8 elected. is the part of wisdom.
Il think Silberman Brothers are wise
Q guard against loss, although /
rave heard Of no other similar plan
'eing followed In Chicago" said Mr..
Business depression will
ollow in the wake of \ triumph OF
3ryan. There are many people al
eady thinking that II the Democrats
vim q national victory there will b .