Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-06-14

expenses. He was personally oppos-
cd TO the reenactment OF the Whar.
ton law. Questioned at some length
concerning rates In Newport News,
The witness said he could not at
tempt TO say what is the average
rate here. There is only one build
ing In the city that comes under the
head of Class A, commercial brick.
Mr.. West said his average commits
sion from the company paying him a
percentage of net profits was about
20 per cent.
Questioned as 20 the rates used
by his mon board" companies. Mr..
West said that the policies OF all his
companies 30 through the assocla-
tons stamping Office at Norfolk.
The "non-board" companies, he said
are stickier's for the tariff rates.
Questioned by MIR. Stuart. the wit
cess said that at the time the license
tax ordinance was adopted he did not
consider the tax too high. However.
he had since thought that the per
centage tax might have been fixed "A
little too high.
Captain Berkeley wanted to know
what was the average of the com
missions paid him by the company
paying graded commissions. The
witness said the average is more
than 20 per cent, and questioned
further he said that the companies
laying larger commissions usually are
given the preferred new business
xrittan fhrnuph his office
Cross-examined by Mr.. Read, the
witness said he had never used any
improper means in opposing the re-
enactment of the Wharton law. The
companies which objected TO paying
more than Is per cent. commissions
had not withdrawn from his office.
Mr.. Read asked II the witness knew
of any other business In the city
paying so great a percentage of its
profits in license taxes as does the
insurance business. Mr.. West
thought that the percentage paid by
the real estate and rental business
is equally as large.
Replying 10 Mr.. Stuart, the witness
said that he did not know of any
business that had paid greater profits
than the fire insurance business in
Newport News. Mr. Read wanted to
know il il was not a fact that the
fire insurance business had been
profitable in Newport News because
there had been no big fires here. The
reply was that there had been mol
large fires in the city, and that con-
ditions are such that it is not likely
that there will be any.
z. I. Ford.
Z. l. Ford, a member of the com
mon council and chairman of the
joint finance committee. told in de
tail of a conference at Mr.. Vests Of
flee. at which he met A. II. Harris, |
secretary OF the Virginia committee
If the Southeastern Underwriters
Association, was present. He said
Mr. Harris declared that the license
tax levied by the council was ex-
cessive, and that the State ought tol
prohibit cities levying any license
tax against insurance companies. |
The witness and MIR. West told Mr.
the license tax is excessive the
would recommend its re-
duction. Witness said he told Mr..
Harris that the Insurance rates in
Newport News ought TO be reduced |
instead of increased. and that the |
people of Newport News would not |
stand for an increase. Witness gave |
facts concerning street paving and !
improvements TO the fire department. !
Questioned by Mr.. Read he said he |
was member of the council when /,
The license tax was 800 a year on J
Zach company, and that he had some |
with the Southeast |
earn Underwriters Association, as a |
result of which the tax was reduced |
10 $50 and the rate increase was |
aiken off.
Ar. Ford was not cross-examined |
IT any length, as ii was nearly s |
,'clock when he took the stand After |
lew questions he was excused. and |
court adjourned until 10 o'clock this |
morning