Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-06-09

merville Trust Company IL the local
agent. are doing business here now,
but that they have not yet paid the
Mr.. Sommerville Tuesday that the
| tax was past due and that the five
per cent penalty had been added. Mr..
scmmerviile replied. the witness said,
, that he would pay the tax as soon MS
the court trial is over.
Justice Wants Information.
| what excuse can Mr.. Somme.vilie
give you for not paying license taxes
| for companies which are still doing
business here?" asked Justice Brown.
i The justice informed the accused That
| his question was merely side issue
and had nothing to do with the trial.
Mr.. Crump replied that Mr. Sommer-
vile was waiting for some adjust
ment Of the insurance matter Mr..
Crump was not ross-examined by
counsel for the defense and was ex-
cused.
Captain Berkeley next offered as
evidence statement from State In
surance Commissioner Joseph But
ton showing the amounts OF money
paid b.. a hundred or more IRE insur-
ance companies into the Coffers OF
underwriters and tariff associations
during the year ending December 81,
1909.
Mr.. Bachelor Objecws.
Mr.. Bachelor objected to the ad-
m 'ssion OF this statement on the
ground that II was irrevelant. He
said that the counsel for the state
had not shown what 1t intended toI
prove by this statement nor did the
statement itself show to what asso-
Citations the companies named paid
the sums contained in the list. Al
heated argument between counsel en-
sued. Mr.. Stuart said that he thought
the state should be allowed to intro
duce the links OF its chain OF testi-
mony in the sequence that the coun-
sci thought best Captain Berkeley
argued along the same lines, bat JUS
tice Brown ruled that the state should
introduce this testimony at such time
as II would be revelant to the case at
issue.
q. o. Pitt First Witness.
o D. Pitt. of Richmond. treasurer
of the Virginia Fire and Marine In
surance Company. was the next wit
ness called by the state. MIR. Pitt
was allowed TO go on the stand at
this time because he desired to re-
turn to Richmond yesterday evening
as he had important business to at
tend to in his Office Captain Berk-
eley began the direct examination OIL
the witness by asking him what part
of the $l4.076.22 paid by his com
panies to underwriters and tariff as
sociations in 1909 was paid to inel
Southeastern Underwriters Associa-
ton. Mr.. Bachelor objected on the
around that this association was mott
on trial and that information con-
corning it had nothing to do with the
case
Justice Brown cverruled the objec-
ton OF counsel for the defense.
Witness Finally Remembers.
The witness could not remember
what sum his company paid thel
Southeastern associat on last year.
Counsel for the state and Justice
Brown tried to get the witness to re-
fresh his memory by suggesting
sums to him. The witness said that
he did not know for what purpose
he had been summoned and % mel
was mot mind reader" he had not
refreshed his memory on these points
before coming here. Finally the wit
ness said that his company pad the
Southeastern association about $4.000I
last year.
How do Won determine how much
your company shall pay the associa-
ton each year," asked Captain berk-
eley.
Mr.. Pitt replied that the associa-
ton was paid certain percentage oil
the premiums received by the CON-
pany in those states where the South
eastern Underwriters Assoc. alton has
charge OF the rates. Replying toj
questions. the witness said that The
annual toll is paid by checks drawn
| In favor OF the ASSOCIATION and sent
| to the main Office OF the organization
J at Atlanta. Ga Witness said tht ne
received vouchers for the 1mount
paid rom the assoc alton. lie could
not remember who signed the voueh-
ers. nor could he remember whether
OF not the association had a treasur-
I err
why does your company make
| that payment TO the association.
What is the consideration for tneI
payment" asked the commonwealth q
attorney.
Defends Insurance Trust.
The Southeastern Underwriters