The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-06-09
Admission Of Officers of
Southeastern Tariff
Association.
TRIAL BEGINS IN
NEWPORT NEWS
Commonwealth Contends That
Combination Is Unlawful-If
This Is Sustained, Association
Will Be Put Out Of Busi-
ness-Both Sides Fight
ing Vigorously.
Especial to The Times Dispatch. j

Especial to The Times Dispatch
Newport News. Va. June S.--Poiice
Justice j. D. G.. Brown to-day began
hearing the cases against twenty
three officers and members of the
Southeastern Underwriters Associa-
ton. who were arrested at Hot Springs
May i2 on warrants charging them
with unlawtully conspirlng to fix and
control fire insurance rates in Newport
News. Twelve OF the defendants ap-
peared in person, but 1t was decided
to proceed with the trial OF all TWEEN
ty-three cases at one time. Only three
witnesses were examined to-day. and
last week
Both sides are lighting vigorously,
realizing that a big question is in
volved.
Claims Combination Unlawful.
The Commemorative contention is
that the action OF the insurance COM
pantes in forming the combination
which fixes and controls rates is un
lawful, and Ii this contention Is sus-
tained by the courts the Southeastern
Underwriters Association will be pat
out OF business in Virginia
After some skirmishing this morn
ing the Commonwealth established the
fact that the Underwriters Association
fixes and controls the rates of all the
companies composing it's membership
and that practically all of the COM
panies not affiliated with the associa-
tion, do business under Its rates.
Later the defense admitted this state
of facts by putting in evidence a rate
book for Newport News, and making
no objection to the introduction of the
Pink Slip" bySwhich notice was glver
from the Virginia headquarters Of the
association on May IL. that rates ir
per cent, because of the increased H.
censed tax imposed upon the compan
les by the City Council.
In the event the court sustains the
contention OF the Comm onwealth thai
the mere existence of a combination te
fix and control rates is unlawful, re-
gardless of whether the rates fixed are
unfair or oppressive. the Common
wealth now only has to prove the con
nection of the defendants with the
Underwriters Association to make OH;
us case. However, II this contention
is not sustained. a mass of evidence
VIII be heard to prove whether or no,
the existing rates are oppressive. and
whether the actions of the association
IN retaliating against the Council wa.
| malicious.
First Argument TO-DAY.
ne argument of the CommonweaIth's
hrst contention probably viii take
place tomorrow morning, on objec.
ton of the defense's line OF cross
examination.
Commemorative Attorney c. C.
Berkeiy is being assisted in the pros
ecutton by r. NJ. Lett and w. C. Stu
art j. Winston Read and o. D. Batch
elor are representing the defendants.
When the case was called in this
Police Court this morning twelve of th
| the defendants answered to thei,
names. They were w, r. Prescott, OF
4 Atlanta, Ga, president of the South.
eastern Underwriters Association; I.
r. Warren, OF Richmond. chairman o1
the Virginia committee OF the Under,
writer's Association; a. s. Andrews, O
Atlanta. Ca, manager of the associa
ton, and H. G. Chatterly. B. A. Hamlin
p. II. Jones, jefferson Pierce, A. +
Harris. George McGoodridge, William
r. Ribins. A. NJ. Travers and z. 3
Dewey, members of the Virginia com
mittee. The eleven who failed to an
swer We're r. T. Caldwell, Guy Carpen
ter, George II. Collins. a. l.. Brooks
r. NJ Hughes, Daner Blackmar, H. c
Hare. j. S. Middleton. B. j. Smith ane
n, NJ. Tanner. all of whom are mem
bers OF the executive committee of tn,
UNDERWRITERS Association. and res1d,
J, out of the State.