The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-21


men to say something about the meet
ing were futile.
Clarence Low of New Orleans, United
States secretary for the Liverpool, Lon
don and Globe said to be in close
touch with the situation. said last night
that absolutely no statement was to
be issued at this time as to the meet
ing.
Our presence here is absolutely of
no public interest" said Mr.. Low eve
are discussing questions that are
strictly confidential and whether we
Wish to make an explanation after the
meetings I cannot say. The chances
are very much against such a PROPOSE
ton"
The meeting was held yesterday at
the Norris hotel. Around the lobby it
was generally surmised that the in
surance and fire situation in Birming-
ham accounts for the gathering. All
we'll informed insurance men have for
some time been trying to remedy the
situation as 1t relates to excessive fire
risks Despite the efficiency of the
| fire department and its excellent water
| equipment, it is generally believed that
some additions must be made else the
I fire rates here will be enhanced. IT
is recalled that recently insurance com
panies believed an increase of rate
equitable in view of the losses. but
that move was held up after protests
from various agencies. Some companies,
however, retired from writing insur-
ance here.
The shingle roofs in Birmingham and
the persistency with which they are
still being used is said to account
largely for the heavy losses in Bir-
mingham. Chief Bennett OF the fire
department tried very hard to get an
ordinance adopted preventing further
shingle roofs here. but that measure
failed some months ago. 1t is believed
among some persons that the insurance
experts will make some recommenda-
tions to the commission relative to the
situation in a formal communication
The insurance men attending the
meeting include:
S. Y. Tupper of Atlanta, southern
| manager for the Queen Insurance COM
pany of New York; w. E. Chaplin of
Atlanta, southern manager of the Penn
sylvania Fire Insurance Company and
Fire association, both of Philadel-
phia; Joseph Barrett of New York, man
ager of the New York Underwriters
Clarence e. Low of New Orleans, Unit
ed States secretary of the Liverpool and
London and Globe of England w. r.
Prescott of Atlanta of Egleston &
Prescott, southern managers of the
Hartford Fire Insurance company of
Hartford. Conn, and the Citizens Fire
Insurance company of st. Louis; Ulric
s. Atkinson of Atlanta, assistant south
ern manager of the Royal Insurance
company of Liverpool, England
Prioleau Ellis of Springfield Mass,
assistant secretary of the Springfield
Springfield; r. B. Ives of Hartford,
Conn.,, assistant secretary of the Aetna
Fire Insurance company of Hartford;
Ewell Gay of Atlanta, assistant mana
ger of the North American Life Insur
ance company; Hugh Powell of Atlanta,
southern manager of the National Fire
Insurance company of Hartford, Conn;
Sid Maxwell of Hartford. assistant sec
retary Of the National Fire of Hart
ford; Cliff Long of Hartford, assistant
secretary of the Phoenix Fire of Hart
ford.
Harry Bush of Greensboro, N. c.;
president of the Dixie Fire Insurance
company of Greensboro; b. 1. Simpson
of Atlanta, special agent of the Phoenix
Fire of Hartford; w. r. Latimer of At
lanta, special agent of the New York
Underwriters agency; Edwin c. Jones
of Atlanta, special agent of the SPRING
field Fire and Marine Insurance COM
pany; John S. Goldsmith of Birmng-
ham. special agent of the Hartford Fire
Insurance company A. F. Fitzsimmons
of Atlanta, special agent of the Fidel-
| lity-Phoenix Insurance company of New
York; S. L. Johnson of Birmingham,
| special agent of the Aetna Fire Of
Hartford.