New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-07-19
MORE REAL AGENTS"
Plea Of Hotohkiss in Speech to
Fire Insurance Men.

Buffalo. July 1s.-"More real fewer
mere, agents In the fire field, rather than
fewer agencies was advice given by VIII
lam II. Hotchkiss, State Superintendent Of
Insurance. in an address on state Laws
and the Insurance Salesman" at the
annual convention Of the National Associa-
ton OF Local Fire Insurance Agents in
this city to-day IT commend this senti-
mert with emphasis" saiG he, 10 those
who seek through pending legislation the
establishment in New York by positive
law OF the single agency system"
Mr. Hotchkiss dwelt upon the overcrowd-
ing ~ the field Of fire insurance selling and
the legislation already secured TO regulate
rebates and licenses.
But, really" he CONTINUED, have you
gone as far as you could? In effect the
company appoints; the state merely rubber
stamps So long as this Is 30. yours cannot
be profession, il can have no esprit de
, CORDS / would welcome law that would
require of the fire agent as now OF the
fire broker. sworn statement Of his eN-
perionce. qualifications and intentions, as
proof to the state that II is licensing an
experienced mani repest-a real insur-
ance ssent. The rebater, the free lance
and the freebooter in your field Of insur-
ance activity, arc Of the same kin. Shall
we not. somehow, try to abolish them all?
In short. may we not at no distant day,
eXpect that the real agent shall be more,
much more. than the mere agent? ! know
not what this association and the affiliated
local bodies throughout the land are doing
70 this end but, If FIRE insurance agency
IS TO become, 81 last a profession, there
must be schools Of salczmanship more real
insurance agencies must be created TO do
the publics business. l commend, there
fors TO your consideration the sentiment:
More real. fewer mere, agents in the IRE
field
Il commend it with emphasis 10 these
who seek through pending Legislation the
establishment in New York by positive law
of the single agency system. You would
decree in effect that hereafter each COM
pany shall have hut one agency in nay
single community. Frankly, does this not
look just a bit nonopoiistic? And will a
people which fears gentlemen's agreements
as to commodities Of public necessity be
apt 90 pass or accept II law offered az a
substitute Cor gentlemen's agreement that
failed? More; what really viii be accom-
plished by the legislation suggested? IL
certain companies will not now Keep 70
their agreement. how unlikely mat the
agreement itself will last. You would Pc
uslize companies maintaining dual or inllu-
ple agencies through subterfuge. Bnl no
lew could be enforced which would penaDHe
company from multiple agencies IN inc
open, as IN the past. it'll,
"The remedy really seems 10 be within
Yourselves. The legislation that Is needed
should go deeper than that you suggest
II should result, 10 put the matter tersely,
I'm fewer agcnLs--meTc agents, ThtheI lHan
In fewer agencies. Your task. my task. ana
The task OF those that legislgte lies IN these
directions Let US then leave trade con-
troversios 10 work out their own dannaton,
band. going NJ once 10 the root OF ,h fe mat
Ter work together toward the uplift OF a
nrrfesstou 4"