Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-11-05

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Witness said that the "non-ooarc
companies advanced their rates ten
per cent. upon the arrival OF the
"pink-slip." Mr. West said he pointed
out TO Mr. Harris the fact that the
insurance companies had taken out
OF Newport News large sums In net
profits for years, and called attention
10 the high rates and small losses.
Afternoon Session.
When court reconvened mt ESQ
I o'clock, Judge Barham announced
| that he would have to be absent hall
day before the general election OF
next Tuesday in order to stamp and
examine the ballots for use In the
election. He also said that he could
not compel the attendance of the jur-
ors and witnesses on election day.
' Counsel for the defense suggested
next Monday as the day for the adj
! journing OF the court for half day
In order that the Judge might stamp
the ballots. However. the court said
that II the Jurors did not want 20 90
home he would take half day tomor-
row TO stamp the ballots. The jurors
stated that they wanted TO go home
to vote and IL was decided to adjourn
court tomorrow and recDnyene again
Wednesday morning at 10 o'clock.
Mr.. West resumed the stand and
Captain Berkeley proceeded with his
examination. Witness was handed an
insurance map OF the city of Newport
News. covering not only property
within the corporate limits of the city,
but much of that in territory ada
cent TO tho limits. The defense OBJ
jected to the introduction of this map
on the ground that II was irrelevant.
Captain Berkeley said that his object
was to prove that the ten per cent.
increase authorized by the pink slip"
on May IL last originally was intended
to apply to territory Immediately ad-
jacent to the municipality as well as
to the city proper. and that the scope
was changed later for purpose. Mr..
King objected on the ground that
there was direct testimony 10 show
that the slip was intended TO apply
to Newport News and Newport News
only. Mr.. West was asked whether
or not he wrote a policy on the Old
Dominion brewery, which is located
outside of the limits, with the ten per
cent. added. Witness said he did
write such policy but that the
premium was changed later so as not
to charge the increased rate because
the property was located outside OF
the limits.
Captain Berkeley wanted to know
when the change in this policy was
made, and whether or not IL was made
under instructions from the Virginia
headquarters OF the Southeastern I'm
derwriters Association. Witness could
not remember exactly, but thought he
made the change after conference
with Mr.. Prescott, Mfr. Andrews and
others in Mr. Bachelors office on
May 20, after the arrests had been
made. Captain Berkeley wanted to
know whether the increase made in
all rates here some time ago applied
to territory outside the city or TO the
city only. The witness could not re-
member
Many Interruptions.
This witness was on the stand
some time and was interrupted fire.
ouently by argument between counsel.
The defense insisted that the slip
showed upon its face that 1t was
meant TO apply to Newport News only,
because IL said Newport News The
commonwealth contended that the
scope was intended originally to be
Just what is the scope of the official
insurance Newport News map.
Col. J. &. West.
Col. ]. E West. president OF the In
terstate Fire Insurance Company. CT
Suffolk, Va, was the next witnes
called. The list of the defepdants
was called and the witness identified
some of them. naming the insurance
companies which they represent. The
witness was asked to point out the
defendants as their names were cali
ed. He began doing this. much 10 the
amusement of the defendants, but was
stopped by an objection from Mr..
Bachelor. who insisted that this was
unnecessary because his clients had
responded to their names in court
and were known to be present. Cap
tain Berkeley and Mr.. Lett wanted to
know whether the defendants were
willing to admit that they were men,
bers OF the Southeastern Underwr,t-
ers' Association and of the Virginia
or executive committees of that asso-
citation. Counsel for the defense were
not willing 10 make such admissions.
The court ruled tina; II was not neces-
ssry topoint out the defendants. but
the questioning OF the witness as to
the connection between individual dc
PENDANTS and the Southeastern Under
writer's Association.
A lengthy argument followed an at
tempt 20 draw from the witness facts
as to rates charged f0- rein-ursnce
Mr. King insisted thar the Gg~Sfso1
Of reinsurance had nothing n Hth
this case. Captain Berkeisy- NJ ieti