New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-07-08
Insurance Men
Move to End
Work Of Spies

For several weeks The Tribune has
been calling attention to the national
peril inherent in the fact that enemy
owned and enemy-managed insurance
companies are permitted to continue
doing business as usual, and thereby
gain access to maritime and industrial
information of vital military impor-
lance. Apparently, private initiative is
appearing where the government has
declined to act.
The Home Insurance Company, one
Of the oldest and largest fire insurance
companies operating under American
charters, has cancelled its contract for
reinsurance with the Munich Reinsur-
ance Company, Of Munich, Germany.
The Munich Reinsurance Company,
one u the most powerful Of the Ger
man companies, has its headquarters
in Hartford, Conn, where Carl Schrein-
er, formerly manager Of its London
Offices. has been in charge.
Recently Schreiner made application
for a permit to reside in the New York
war zones. 1t now becomes an inter
esting fact that one of his sponsors
was Elbridge Gerry Snow, president Of
the Home Insurance Company. On the
permit card prepared for, but not is
sued TO, Schreiner the. name of Mr..
Snow appeared as his guarantor.
Other Testimonials
The others from whom Schreiner pre-
scented testimonials were r. Emery
Warfeld, president Of the Hanover
Fire Insurance Company, of New York;
Isaac Seligman. of J. e. w. Seligman,
and Moritz Rosenthal, of Ladenburg,
Thalmann G. Co. Each of these testi-
fed to Schreiner's fidelity in carrying
out contracts.
Mr. Snow was not at his Office yes
terday. In his absence +. c. Boswell,
yice-presdent, refused to discuss the
anc.llationso Of the Munich contract for
reinsurance.
1nasmuch as you have received the
information from some other source,
said he, 81 cannot deny that such ac-
ton has been taken. but there is moth
ing to be said about IL. The company's
action speaks for itself"
There have been whisperings in in
surance circles for some days that the
Home and other large American com
panies were arranging to cancel their
treaties" as contracts for reinsurance
are called, with German companies.
The Home is the first to take such
action.
The Tribune has received letter
from Carl Schreiner, dated in New York
City, but postmarked at Lake George.
II follows:
Editor New York Tribune. N. Y.
The Tribune has on It's front page the fol.
lowing heading: First 20 last the truth.
This leads me 10 believe that were | (tO)
correct a statement which appeared IN
The Tribune Of June 70 my correction will
receive the same prominence given the
original statement causing the correction.
Moreover the article contained in The
Tribune has been taken up and has been
made the basis OF arguments by other
papers Il refer 10 The Hartford Cour-
ant" "The Hartford Times" etc., and
has received an extended publication.
am one Of the managers of the Munich
Reinsurance Company, OF Munich.
have been the manager OF the Munich Re-
insurance COmpanys foreign department
in London from 1890 10 1914. | am the
manager Of the Munich Reinsurance
Company. United States department, Hart
ford. Conn As such | declare the state
fnent in your issue Of June % that re-
insurance company has the right of access
10 munitions plants untrue. | further
state tilat neither my company nor myself
have employed Professor John Bassett
Moore.
am not aware Of the name nor do
know the man Of whom your paper states
that he made pilgrimages 10 the Capitol in
the interest Of German companies.
During my business career ! have often
requested business friends N possible not
TO interest the Munich on munitions plants
| am also aware that at least one other
manager Of a reinsurance company dong
reinsurance business in this country has
acted in the same manner.
Tells of Registering in London