Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-11-13
Richmond Insurance Man on
Stand all Day.
GIVES MUCH INFORMATION
Counsel for Both Sides Question Ex-
pert at Lensth-Will be Recalled
Tomorrow for Further Examination
-Tllts Between Attorneys Continue

With Robert Leckey, of Richmond,
the we'll Informed and resourceful in
surance man from whom both COM
monwealth and defense drew mass
of information during the police court
hearing, on the stand all day, fairly
good progress was made Yesterday
In the trial of the case of the Com
monwealth aginst members of the
fire insurance combine in the Cor
poratlon Court yesterday. Mr.. Leckey
was on the stand when court adjourn
cd and he will be recalled tomorrow,
more on the stand.
Court convened yesterday morning
with a reduced number of defendants
in attendance. Half a dozen or more
of the insurance men were seated
back of their attorneys. but many OF
them were absent and out of the city
by permiss ion of the court.
Tits between counsel over the ad-
instability of testimony occurred at
intervals during the day. but the pro-
ceedings were not delayed by argu-
ment as much yesterday as they were
the day before.
leekey Resumes Stand.
Robert Leckey, who was on the
stand for short time Friday, was
recalled when court cnvened yester-
day. tie was questioned at length by
counsel for both sides, and told in
detail of the objects and purposes of
and results attained by the Southeas-
tern Underwriters Association. He
said that the association works to re-
duce hazards and risks. The insur
ance companies belonging to the as
ISOLATION were named. and a list OF
'non-board" companies given.
Afternoon Session.
Mr.. Lecky resumed the stand at
2:30 O'Clock and the crcss-examina-
ton by Mr.. Bachelor continued.
Explaining the objects of the Ma
tional Board of Fire Underwriters, the
witness said that he knew of no city
In the country that undertook the kind
of work accomplished by this associa-
ton. The association has laboratories
and experiment stations, and as a re-
cult of experience and study formu-
latas rules for The erection of build
ings. the storage Of explosives, the in
stallation OF electric systems, etc. Wit
ness said cities and towns all over
the country have adopted the rules of
the national board as standard for
construction: that he was advised that
the city of Newport News used these
rules. pamphlet containing the reg
ulations of the association was identi-
fled by the witness. and put in evil
dence. Further questioned by Mr..
Bachelor. The witness described the
motive and objects of the National
Fire Protective Association. and said
that these bodies have nothisg what
ever TO do with agreements TO control
rates.
Reason For Rate insurance.
The witness said the increase of %
cents Gil the 500 made in all insur-
ance rates in 1902 was a necessity:
that the annual statements of the
companies showed that il was essen
iial that ihev be strengthened. This
increase affected all classes CT build
ings, except dwellings. schools. church
es. and sprinkle" risks. witness ex-
planned the meaning of the term
sprinkle risk, showing that plants
eqripped with automatic sprinklera
have their rates for insurance reduced
to abou- ne-four,h. The Southeastern
Underwriters Association. he said. en-
courages the installation Of these
sprinklers. and will furnish owners
plans, etc.
Mr.. Leckev said tina; driving a
Mr.. Ieckey said that during a
period Of twenty years all of the In
surance companies in the ciuntry
having more than a million dollars
CAPT al had made profit of 2.7s per
cent. on premiums collected. He said
inst large number OF insurance com
panies had failed or gore out of bgSi-
ness for various reasons in that time.
and that the business had been espe-
cially distressing u stockholders In
Virginia Mr.. Bachelor asked why
these companies had failed, bit when