The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-18
STATE FEDERATION
 OF INSURANCE MEN
 FORMED YESTERDAY
Convention to Be Held in Birmingham Next May for Men Engaged in
 Insurance Work

The Insurance Federation of Ala bama, which is part of the national federation, was organized at meet ing of all the insurance men of Bir- mingham at the Tutwiler at noon yes- terday. A movement was launched for its extension all over the state. and a convention of insurance men of the state engaged in every branch of that work is to be held in Birmingham early in May. H. G. Seibels was elected chairman of the committee which is to perfect the state organization and a field secretary is to be employed to visit every county and city in Alabama before the state convention here in May.
 The organization here was perfect ed following the address of Mark T. Mckee of Detroit, secretary of the Ma tionaI Insurance Federation Mir. Nc kee is also secretary and treasurer of the National Insurance Council and is considered one of the best posted au- thorities on insurance in America His address yesterday, made at the meet ing of the Birmingham Fire and Cas- ualty exchange, which was attended by all the insurance men of other branches, was enthusiastically received and the plans for the perfection of the state organization were put through immediately following his address.
 MT. Mckee spoke of the growth of the federation movement which is now spread into 40 states. "Federations," he said, "are for the purpose of bringing the buyer and seller of insurance to- gether into an organization for the mutual benefit of both, for the study ot insurance problems, and to bring about better conditions in the bust ness as well perfect better un- derstanding of the insurance business by the general public. The slogan of the federation is honest insurance hon. estly sold, and it stands firmly on the principle of a maximum service for 8 minimum cost. By mutual co-opera- tion much more can be accomplished than by harmful antagonism and an organization representative of every element of the insurance business both from the standpoint of the buyer and seller by thoroughly Investigating in surance problems and disseminating accurate informtion, it can accomplish AANSh III LAC PuDllC ltlleTGoI.
 '"The federation stands firmly on the principle of a square deal both for the public and for the business of underwriting.
 'The insurance business has become the second largest business in the country today, only surpassed by the business of transportation, and yet it Is perhaps the least understood Most of the prejudice against our business IS duP to ignorance vua fac r, 4 the more the people know about the insurance business the better off ev- eryone connected with the business will be.
 "Co- cooperation and education are the keynotes of the federation movement. It's object is to insure insurance It's mission is to guard against every de- structive influence that strikes at the second largest business in the coun- try. Its work is to prevent loss not merely to indemnify against it. It works a closer relation and a more harmonious understanding between the buyer and seller of insurance, clearer consciousness of their common interest. It enlightens and embraces as it does all insurance interests, in cluding fire, life. casualty, surety, ac- cident and health fraternal and farm mutuals. Its influence for good is far reaching"
 Following the address of MT. Mckee H. G. Siebels was elected chairman of the preliminary committee for the or ganization of the insurance federation of Alabama, and he appointed the fol- lowing members of his committee to assist in the work of organization: Ed s. Moore, F. C. Ratliff. T. IT. Garden R. F. Manly. William D. Jelks, Oscar Turner, A. J. Arrant, Herbert Smith, R. A. Brown. c. c. Terry, H. Levy, E. c. Armes, Walter L. Sessions, A. L. Shir- ley and F. R. McDavid.
 ''The work of perfecting the organi- zation of the federation over the state is to begin at once" stated Chairman Seibels yesterday afternoon We will employ a field secretary who will visit every county in the state and explain to the insurance men of all branches the importance of the federation and what it means to them and to the public. This is really the most inn portant movement ever inaugurated for the insurance business, and it prom ises as much for the public as for the men engaged in insurance work. It is largely an educational proposi- tion. We will hold a state convention here early in May. and I am confi- dent that we can have 400 insurance men from the different parts of Ala bama in attendance.'
 MT. Mckee, who left last night for Jackson, Miss, Is making a tour of all the southern states in the inter- est of the federation work. He has already visited Atlanta, Charleston, Richmond and several other large cities
 T am highly gratified at the recep- tion received here, and was especially pleased with the manner in which the insurance men of this city entered into the work of perfecting the state or ganization. Within an hour after the meeting adjourned, the preliminary plans for the organization of every county in Alabama had been outlined and plans had been formulated for the state convention here in May. Under the direction of MT. Seibels and his committee, I am certain that Alabama insurance men will perfect an organi- zation that will become one of the Stronpest in the cOuntrv"