The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1911-06-01
WI Ii FIGHT CASE
IN SUPREME COURT

L c II NJ OND, VA, Special
The insurance agents of Newport
News, arrested some months ago on
the charge Of being involved in a
conspiracy TO fix rates illegally for
the risks written in that citv and
who were convicted in the Police
Court and ordered to pay a fine of
$500 and costs. viii get a review of
the case in the Supreme Court Of Ap-
peals.
The case is one of the most in
teresting that has developed i'm re-
cent years, and is the result Of a bit
ter fight between the business inter
ests OF that city and the insurance
companies. known as the Southeast
ern Underwriters Association. The
business OF the assOcia ton. however.
was managed by what is known as
the virginia Committee" and there
were twenty-one agents arrested and
hned in the trial court. An aDDeal
was had to the Corporation Court of
Newport News, and Judge Barham
dismissed the proceedings against all
the defendants save and except A.
II. Harris. l.. r. Warren. Z. r. Dewey
- A. Hamlin, h. II. Jones and w. r..
Robins. The jury, which heard the
cases in the Corporation Court before
Judge Barham, reduced the fine TO
S4OO and costs. and it was from this
that the men named decided to ask a
review Of the case.
1t Was a Bitter Fight.
The case had it's origin in the ac-
ton of the Council of the city of
Newport News, which imposed a fiat
tax OF S25 on each of the companies
writing fire business in that city. and
also demanded an additional per
cent. OF the premiums for the privf-
iege of doing business.
The insurance companies came back
ana added ten per cent. raise to
all risks written within the corporate
limits OF the city to meet the in
creased cost Of taxes, and on that
question the issue was Joined. All the
companies united in the raise in
prices, and the attorney for the Com
monwealth took a hand in the matter
and warrants were issued for all the
agents representing companies in
Newport News, and as the association
was holding a meeting at the Hot
springs. the Chief Of Police and the
attorney for the Commonwealth left
post haste for that resort to arrest
the men. The warrants were served
each OF the agents furnishing bail for
ms appearance. The first trial occu-
pied several weeks, and the verdict
was $500 fine and costs for each al
legged tlle"al combination and con-
spiracy TO raise the rates Of insur-
ance.
Business Men Protested.
The business men of the city held
indignation meetings and protested
against the action OF the insurance
people, and the attorney for the Com
monwealth made the fight Of his life
for a conviction on the charge as
contained in the warrant. The insur-
ance men insisted that they had been
forced TO take the action TO protect
themselves and TO meet the increased
raise in taxes demanded by the Coun-
ell.
The defendants made no denial of
the existence OF the Southeastern I'm
derwriters' Association. as contained
In the petition for a review of the
case, declaring that the association
was anxious to decrease the costs OF
risks in that city and 20 minimize
losses by fire.
The petition filed holds that as the
Corporation Court OF Newport News
dismissed the cases against several of
the agents, that the other agents.
named above, were entitled to a new
hearing as we'll, and on that and the
general declaration that they are ag-
grieved at the decision. they ask for
relief from the decree of the Corpor-
alton Court of Newport News.
Bond in the sum of $4.5OO is re-
Quired in order to make the writ OF
error and supersedeas effective