The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-01-09
Commercial Club Members
After a Year of Fighting for
Decreased Rates, Expect
Satisfactory Results.
LOCAL MUTUAL COMPANY
HAS BEEN SUGGESTED
If This Plan Falls Through,
Campaign for Increased
Fire Protection Will Be
Pushed Vigorously.

The beginning of the end is in sight
for the fire insurance question which
has been demanding the attetion OF
the Commercial Club for more than a
year. Announcement to this effect
was sent to each member OF the Or
ganization this morning in pamphlets
containing the greetings of president
John F. Mccarthy and Secretary E. NJ.
Haas.
The pamphlets are folded so as to
resemble a book kand the outer dec
Grafton is a lurid representation of a
raging blaze.
The announcement in connection
with the fire insurance question is
headed, Fire, Fire, Fire-Something
Sparks Fly" The first meeting will
be held Monday evening at the club
rooms, and will be addressed by e. E.
Perry, of Indianapolis, we'll known
throughout the state as an insurance
man of ability. He will discuss the
question from the point Of the mutual
companies. Answers will be made to
arguments advanced that mutual in
surance is not a success. Following
his discourse on the subject, those
present will be permitted to ask any
questions which they may desire. per-
tanning to the insurance question.
Old Line Insurance.
A week later another public meet
Ing will be held by the club when the
old line insurance will be discussed.
The speaker for this occasion has not
been announced. He will be selected
by the local representatives of the old
line insurance companies. 1t is prob.
able that some agent from out of the
city with at least a state wide reputa-
ton will be secured. The announce.
ment says, in conclusion OF this sub.
ject, 'It will be left to you to Judge
for yourselves which is the best
proposition; come up, bring a friend
and get smoke on the club"
Two committees have charge Of the
meeting Monday evening, one the en-.
tertainment committee including s. E.
Swayne, chairman: c. G. Carpenter
and E. G. Hibberd. 1t is probable
that Mr.. Perry will be entertained al
the Westcott hotel. The other COM
mittee, known as the house commit.
tee, includes e. B. Knollenberg, C.
W. Gem and r. w. Hadley.
Question an Important One.
The insurance question is of the ut
most Importance to the club members
and other business men. 1t will be re
membered that the old line isurance
companies by the adoption of the Dean
manufacturing and business blocks te
be greatly increased. in some in.
stances as high as 100 per cent.
The question of establishing mutual
companies among the merchants has
been considered as means of break
ing away from the harsh demands o
the old line agents. 1t is known that
several merchants have obtained esti
mates as to the protection to be de
rived and the expense connected with
the establishment of such a system. II
is understood that the merchants fint
they can secure such protection at .
lower rate than is now being paid.
II the endeavor to establish mutua
agencies falls through the club will il
all probability follow the recommend
alton of a special committee to in
crease the fire protection OF the city
This committee has not as yet re.
ported. The increased fire protection
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