New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-15
NEW FIRE INSURANCE
POLICY FORM URGED
Hearing Produces Suggestion
Representative Body Con-
slider Changes.
IMPORTANT, SAYS ELLISON
Special Commissioner Will Con-
fer with Governor Regard
ing Modification of
Standard.
IMPORTANT, SAYS ELLISON

William b. Ellison held yesterday in
the library OF his law office at No. 165
Broadway. the first ana possibly the last
hearing at least, so far as the standard
fire insurance policy is concerned, in his
capacity as special commissioner 10 in
vestigate the business Of fire insurance In
this state. He went to Albany last night,
and to-day and tomorrow will hold con-
ferences with Governor Sulzer regarding
the advisability. among other things, OF
submitting the whole question OF a stand
ard policy TO a commission representing
the different elements In the community
which would be most affected by any
change in the present standard form.
The former Corporation Counsel had in
tended TO have ready for presentation at
the hearing yesterday a tentative draft
Of an insurance contract which he could
recommend In place Of the present stand
ard policy put In force twenty-seven years
ago. lie said. however. at the opening Of
the hearing that so many changes had
been suggested to him in the last week
that he had decided not 10 draw up such
draft until after the hearing and n
submission Of the minutes OF the hearing
TO the Governor.
His plans were further modified by the
arguments at the hearing OF Willis o.
RObb. president Of the New York Board
Of Underwriters, and Moses Tannenbaum,
an insurance broker. who advocated the
submission Of the subject to a representa-
tive commission.
Commission important Phase.
Il am" said he AT the close Of the
hearing. profoundly impressed with the
Importance Of the subject and | have
listened with real interest 10 the position
taken by Mr.. Robb and Mr.. Tannenbaum
I'm relation 10 commission. OF course,
am not free to say yet what report |
shall make 20 the Governor. but certainly
that phase Of the case shall have the best
consideration | am capable Of giving to It.
"Of course. should the Governor and
the Legislature be anxious for more
prompt and expeditions relief. IL is not
for me 10 stand in the way, and do
not foreclose myself with regard to that
phase Of the matter.
am lilloi AHdA many OF lHt
clauses which were under consideration
at the time | talked with the Governor
on the subject are now actually under
consideration by the Superintendent OF
Insurance OF the state. Naturally. with
his facilities time Will be saved bv their
being taken up and considered there. At
any rate until the question Of the stand
ard policy has been eliminated either by
the nomination OF a commission. or by
the recommendation that "A commission
be- made and such action as the Legisla
ture with the Governor shall take has
been had | shall not take up any other
phase OF the fire insurance question
number OF insurance men recon-
mended certain changes they would like
to see made In the standard form OF
policy. James G.. Graham. former Dep
uty Attorney General. thought the con-
tract should strictly limit the companies
TO the business OF indemnlfying policy
holders. George b. Heath. an insurance
broker and lawyer, Of No. ll5 Broadway,
wanted the policy made shorter
Appraisers Victinnlze Public.
Albert Baker said the public was often
buncoed by appraisers. and he thought
the Supreme Court or the Surrogate's
Court should have power To appoint three
independent appraisers 10 determine the
amount Of damages when they were in
dispute. lie 1t was who said he under
stood" Mr. Robb was "emlnently salts
fed with the present form OF the stand
ard policy.
Mr.. Robb corrected him In this par
ticular, rejecting the word 'eminenuy,'
but remarking that II was beyond the
hope of mortal man to make a contract
SO clear that the courts won't disagree
about it.
Mr.. Robb argued that if any change be
made in the standard form in this state
IL should also be made In all those states
which had adopted the New York form.
He emphasized the necessity of uniform
ity. Mr. Ellison asked him II IL would
not be a good plan for the proposed rep
resentative commission, if appointed. 10
submit its recommendations 10 the Ma
tIoual Association OF Insurance Commits
sioners. Mr.. Robb thought II would.
Mr.. Ellison also asked him what
he thought about the proposition 10
have insurance contracts considered in
terstate trade and regulated by the fed
eral government. Mr.. Robb did not think