Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-05-24

4 tell about the drawing OF the war
rants and his trip 10 Hot Springs with
Chief Reynolds. He explained what
happened there. He explained that
after arriving there and finding two
hundred or more delegates 10 the
meeting o, the association he began
Investigating and decided TO arrest
the officers and the members of the
executive committee of the associa-
ton. believing that these men were
more likely 10 be officials In the var
4 ious insurance companies.
| "Put the Principals In Jail"
Captain Berkeley said that the in
sursnce people complained 10 him
that he had come at very mop
FORTUNE time because there were
big men" in the insurance world from
New York, New Orleans and other
big cities present. The common
wealths attorney told them that that
was the reason why he had come to
/ Hot Springs--be wanted 10 get those
big men.
"The way to break up monopoly
and conspiracy OF this kind Is 10 put
the principals In jail" continued the
commonwealth attorney. IF we i'm
pose fine on them they impose big
ger fine on as by increasing the rates.
The law considers such crime only
as a misdemeanor, but | consider II a
very heinous misdemeanor to hold a
community up as this community is
being held up"
In concluding Captain Berkeley
said thai he was grateful for the en-
dorsement of the people In his nght
and that he appreciated the support
of the couneilmen In the matter.
Counciimen Pledge Support.
When Captain Berkeley finished his
address. President ID. s. Jones arose
from his chair anu extending his hand
toward the commonwealth attorney,
said: AS one OF the citizens of New
port News | want 10 pledge you,
commemorative attorney. my support
of you In this fight. | am with you
both with my heart and my pocket
hook" Captain Berkeley and the
president shook hands very cordially.
Councilman Cheadle expressed his
approval of the course taken by Cap
tain Berkeley and pledged his sup
port, and later one by one the council
men expressed themselves as being
solidiy behind the commonweaith's at
torney. The members attending the
meeting were: Messrs. Cheadle. Chris
tie, Cox. Fellows, Ford, Harris, Hut
chens. w. +. Jones. Milstead, Via,
Wallace and Whitley.
Only eleven members Of the council
were present when President Jones
calld the body TO order and after Mr..
Harris opened the meeting with
prayer and the call had been head,
an adjournment of fifteen minutes was
taken to give other members time toI
zach the council chamber Thirteen
members were present when the
body was again called to order.
Mr.. Wise Speaks.
After some discussion, the council
decided to hear from Chairman
George helms Wise. o. the Chamber
of Commerce committee on taxationl
and legislation, which committee IS
considering the insurance matter by Oh
rectloh of the chamber Mr.. wise
pledged the council the support or
the chamber in the fight against the
Insurance association He declared
TINT the council and chamber should
get together all the facts tha they
could on the matter and should stand
soiidly together. He stated that ne
had written to State Insurance com
missioner Joseph Button for much
data concerning insurance rites IN
different cities and that he expected
to have that data In hand within a
week
When MT. Wise concluded, mir.
Milstead moved that the council APP
point a committee TO act with the
Chamber of Commerce committee IN
getting the necessary data for the
conduct of the fight. but Mr. Cox
moved to hear from Captain Berkeley.
In calling en- Captain Berkeley 60 adj
dress the council. President Jones
said th-i he felt confident that every
man in the council was with Captain
Berkeley.
After Captain Berkeley concluded
and the members of the council had
expressed their approval Of the course
he hsd taken. Councilman Ford told
the council OF conversation he had
had with Secretary Harris. of the VIZ
ginia committee. Of the. underwriters
association. In this city two weeks be-
fore the advance in the rates was
n.lde. He said that Mr.. Harris had
told him that the comI sn6s consider
ed that they were teiSg taxed very
heavily. too heavily IN fact. and he
wanted the council to reduce the tax.
Mr.. Ford told him that the couTica
could net change the license TAX ordi-
yrnce because IL was then in effect.
but that he felt that the council
would be willing and recdy 10 hear
the Insurance companies next year
when the license tax is taken up and
TO reduce the tax IL they ihorght 1t
was a burden on the companies.
..Would Rue the Dzy"