Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1908-10-24
LLOYD'S ODDS
AGAINST BRYAN

New York, Oct. 24.-Lloyd's Ex-
change, London, which will give in
surance against anything from the
disaster of rainy day to the extra
expense Of twins. has accepted from
American business men risks against
the elec Ion of William Jennings
Bryan amounting to 100000 in re-
turn for premiums amounting to
about $4,000. While the writing
CT the insurance is technically a
business transaction 1t amounts vir-
tually in this case to a wager BY the
famous London exchange against
Bryan al odds of nine to one.
In taking such a risk, or making
such a bet, Lloyd's has not acted
in wildly hazerdous way. 1t has
based it's calculations on most care
full investigation Of the sentiment
among American voters and has re-
ceived reports from confidential ag-
ents and astute politicians concern
ing the situation in every state in
the Union. With those facts as a
basis it has worked out a rate of in
surance upon the loss liable to oc-
cur to American business men hv
the selection Of Mr.. Bryan as presi =.
dent and upon his chances of ele =
tion. The chances of Bryals sue
cess, however, seems SO small to the
Lloyd agents that the rate has bsen
extremely low.
InsurinR Taft's Life.
In addition L'oyds has been writ
ing insurance policies Of Taft's lie.
In view of the two slight accidents
to the railroad train on which Taft
Is making his tour of the Southern
states In the campaign, various busi-
ness men. confident that Taft will be
elected president. unless death by
sickness or accident prevents, have
taken precaution against loss liable
in such an event by insuring the Re-
publican candidates life. The men
who have bought insurance either
against Bryan's election or Taft's
death are not gamblers. but keen
judges Of the future and skillful lin
the art of anticipating contingen-
|ciees. RI
The majority Of business men feel
confident that II Taft Is elected busi-
ness will receive a great stlmulous
because Of the confidence that gener-
ally Is reposel in the Repub 'car ad
ministration. and in the actions Of
a man Of Judge Taft's temper ament
Relying upon the certainty cf his
election, they have made investments
in bonds and stocks whicl, after rhe
election will jump in price II Mr..
Bryan Is elected the prices OF these
stocks will fall ana they would il sc
money. Manufactures for Instance,
believe that II TAFT Il elected they
viii receive big or.lers 7 hey are
going ahead witG ,heir mills in full
operation. turni1y .'ct go H., on such
a contingency. II Bryt1 Is elected
the prices will drop because there
will be no demand and they stand to
lose large amount OF money
Business Speculation on Taft's El-
cotton.
These men. in brief, are speculat-
ing on Taft's e ection. They have
also taken a Commercial hedge" up
on their wager by going to Lloyd's s
and getting a policy against the loss
that would result with the choice OF
Bryan as president. They fgur, out
for instance. that in case OF a Demo
cratic victory, their loss by deprecia-
tion and business depression would
be 100000. and they get a policy
for that much. The cost for such
insurance is $4,000. but in the ev-
ent that Bryan is elected they would
get only the difference between the
amount OF the policy and the premi-
um. $4,000, making the odds. there
fore. nine to one. The policy Is cal
led the "P. p. l." meaning that
policy is proof OF interest," In
other words the insured does not
have to prove loss. II Bryan is ell
ected, because the fact that the pol
icy is written is taken as proof tina.
the insured has lost money by the
happenings Of the unexpected.