The twelfth annual meeting was held at Richmond, Va., September 25, 26 and 27, 1907. F. W. Offenhauser, Texarkana, Texas, was elected president, and H. H. Putnam re-elected secretary.

The thirteenth annual meeting was held at St. Paul, Minn., August 11, 12 and 13, 1908. Edward W. Beardsley, Hartford, was elected president, and H. H. Putnam, Boston, secretary.

The fourteenth annual meeting was held in Atlantic City, N. J., September 21, 22 and 23, 1909. Fred Guenther, Detroit, Mich., was elected president, and H. H. Putnam, Boston, secretary.

The fifteenth annual meeting was held in Chicago, September 12, 13 and 14, 1910. A. W. Neale, Cleveland, Ohio., was elected president, and H. H. Putnam, Boston, secretary.

The sixteenth annual meeting was held in Buffalo, N. Y., July 17, 18 and 19, 1911. James R. Southgate, Durham, N. C., was elected president, and H. H. Putnam, Boston, secretary.

The seventeenth annual meeting was held at Atlanta, Ga., October 15, 16 and 17, 1912. James R. Southgate, Durham, N. C., was elected president, and H. H. Putnam, secretary.

The eighteenth annual meeting of the association was held in Cincinnati, October 14, 15, and 16, 1913. C. F. Hildreth, Freeport, Ill., was elected president, and H. H. Putnam, Boston, secretary.

The nineteenth annual meeting was held at Minneapolis, Minn., August 17, 18, and 19, 1914. C. F. Hildreth, Freeport, Ill., was elected president and H. H. Putnam, Boston, secretary.

The twentieth annual meeting was held in Indianapolis, Ind., October 4, 5, 6, and 7, 1915. E. C. Roth, Buffalo, N. Y., was elected president, and H. H. Putnam, Boston, secretary.

The twenty-first annual meeting was held in Boston, Mass., September 12, 13, and 14, 1916. E. E. Roth, Buffalo, N. Y., was elected president, and H. H. Putnam, Boston, secretary.

The twenty-second annual meeting was held in St. Louis, Mo., October 11, 12, and 13, 1917. President Roth presided, and after addresses of welcome, delivered his annual address, in which he reviewed the activities of the year - a year which had called for greater underwriting ability both from companies and agents to meet new conditions and new and dangerous hazards as a result of the world war. The president noted with pleasure the increased membership during the year, and the gratifying reports from state associations, but urged the imperative need of co-operation in the insurance field. The relations, said the president, between the association and the companies were more cordial than ever. Attention was called to important committee reports, and speaking of the efforts of the association against multiple agencies and underwriters annexes, said the campaign had made its greatest progress during the past year; called attention to the report of the legislative committee in respect to action taken thereon, and suggested that local boards, pending further action on the matter, should follow the recommendation of the mid-year conference and pass rules placing agency representation on a sole agency basis, or if that be not possible to reduce the number of agents

for each company as low as possible. The president deplored the tendency towards writing "jumbo" lines and reinsurance in foreign companies; a practice which tended towards the centralization of business in the hands of a few companies by the freezing out of conservative and small American companies and the undermining of the American agency system, all of which is contrary to the best interests of the property owner, the companies and the agents, and asked for more insurance companies and more conservative underwriting, rather than fewer companies and more reckless plunging.

66

44

Following the president's address the report of the executive committee, Clarence S. Pellet, chairman, was submitted reviewing the work of the committee for the year, and reports from the committees on Fire Prevention," Frederick V. Bruns, chairman; "Legislation," Geo. D. Markham, chairman, and the organization committee, Fred W. Cole, chairman, were presented. In addition to the reports of officers and committees papers were read as follows: 110th Anniversary of the American Agency System," Benjamin Rush, president Insurance Company of North America; and The Work of the Local Agent Adown the Years," H. H. Rasweiler; 'Co-operating in Sales and Advertising as Applied to Fire Insurance," William H. Rankin, Chicago; "Under-Cultivated Lines," Charles E. Varley, Chicago. There was also a discussion of "Reinsurance Treaties and Net Lines," Multiple Agencies," and other special topics, and "Fire Insurance and War Conservation Obligation of Agents." Before the joint session with the casualty and surety agents, besides special committee reports and discussions, addresses were made as follows: "Insurance and Its Relation to Society and Government," Frederick Richardson, manager General Accident; and "Making Compensation Rates: Promulgation of Manuals and Plans for Rate Modifications," P. F. Garnett, field secretary National Workmen's Compensation Service Bureau.

44

Resolutions were adopted as follows:

Liberty War Loan In the great crisis with which our Government is confronted in the war forced upon it by a ruthless foreign power, the insurance agents of the country — especially those who are unable to give their services in other ways -can best demonstrate their loyalty and support of the Government at this time by liberal subscriptions to the Second Liberty Loan," and we urge all Agents individually, and all Local Associations of Agents, to do their utmost to make the loan a complete success.

War Conservation The services of this Association and its members throughout the country are tendered to the National Government, and the National Board of Fire Underwriters, in the conservation of the resources of this country from loss by fire. This Association urges that all members give their best efforts to the removal of hazardous conditions which may come to their notice, and, in cases where such conditions are not remedied, to see that the matter is brought to the attention of the proper local or State authorities.

Relations with Companies - All conferences with the companies during the year have been pleasant and satisfactory. Our relations with them have never before been so cordial and helpful. The managers are evidently unshaken in their belief in, and support of the American Agency System.

Relations with Commissioners - The uniform courtesy and full attention of State Insurance Commissioners to our requests, and their invaluable services in our behalf are deeply appreciated. Never before have insurance interests been so well conserved by State officials.

Increase in Membership Notwithstanding less extension work than usual, the demands of the war upon agents, and the increase in dues, it is a great satisfaction to note the increase in paid up memberships.

Casualty Expirations We recommend that the incoming Casualty Committee be instructed to take up the recommendations in regard to a declaration of principles upon the ownership of expirations and make a report upon same at the midyear conference.

Conference with Casualty Association - The incoming President is instructed to appoint a committee to act in conferences of the National Association of Casualty and Surety Agents.

Agents' Qualification Laws -We urge the more general adoption of agents' qualification laws and recommend the State associations to take steps for their passage where not yet enacted.

Reinsurance of Reciprocals, Mutuals and State Funds - We deprecate the practice on the part of some companies, in extending reinsurance facilities to reciprocal underwriters, mutual companies and State funds, and earnestly request that the same be discontinued.

The Committee on Defunct Companies - We recommend that the matter of return commissions in defunct companies be referred to the incoming Executive Committee with power to take action towards raising such special funds as may be necessary, the receipt and disbursement of same to be within the control of the Executive Committee.

Jumbo Lines and Reinsurance

The check caused by the war upon this inimical practice is viewed with satisfaction and it is hoped that, in the interest of the public, and that of the conservative companies and of insurance agents, measures will be taken to eliminate or largely reduce this dangerous practice. This Association pledges its co-operation with companies or insurance commissioners in efforts to remove this menace to the American Agency System.

Annexes Multiple Agencies Now that the insurance commissioners have condemned the multiple agency abuse and recommended that fire insurance interests arrange, "by mutual concession and agreement," to end it, we direct the incoming president to appoint a committee of five for conference with the companies on this subject, or others which may come up. We can hasten the day of sole agencies by action in the local boards, and therefore call upon all such boards to act promptly as requested by the mid-year conference.

Resident Agency Laws -The Kentucky resident agent laws having recently been tested and their validity successfully upheld through the prompt action of the Kentucky State Association, aided and upheld by the Louisville Board of Fire Underwriters, and as this favorable decision makes for the stability of these laws in all States, much to the advantage of local agents everywhere- The National Association expresses its keen sense of obligation to the Kentucky State Association and the Louisville Board for the far-reaching and influential decision secured.

Uncompleted Binders, Not Taken Policies, Back-Dated Cancellations and Loose Adjustment of Small Losses The companies having appealed to us to correct existing abuses, our sense of fairness and right moves us to pledge the efforts of this Association to correct the evils in so far as our influence may prevail. We recommend that local boards present this matter to their memberships and that the Agency Bulletin bring it prominently to the attention of agents in the United States. Justice to our companies, patriotic response to the need of nation-wide economy, impels our hearty co-operation.

Resolutions were also adopted expressing appreciation of the services rendered along educational and fire prevention lines by the Credit Men's Association, and extending a vote of thanks to the local associations of St. Louis, the insurance press and officers for their efforts in contributing to the success of the convention.

Officers and chairmen of standing committees were elected as follows:

President, Edward M. Allen, Helena, Ark; vice-presidents, New England States, L. C. Merrill, Concord, N. H.; Middle States, Robert S. Paviour, Rochester, N. Y.; Southeastern States, Walker Taylor, Wilmington, N. C.; Southwestern States, Arthur W. Mills, Pine Bluff, Ark.; Middle Western States, W. A. Eldridge, Detroit, Mich.; Mississippi Valley States, R. L. Stewart, Kansas City, Mo.; Pacific Coast States, Mac O. Robbins, Santa Ana, Cal.; Rocky Mountain States, Fred W. Standart, Denver, Colo.; secretary-treasurer, Henry H. Putnam, Boston, Mass.; chairmen of committees, executive, Fred

J. Cox, Perth Amboy, N. J.; legislative, George D. Markham, St. Louis, Mo.; organization, F. E. Warner, Salem, Mass.; casualty and surety committee, G. Arthur Howell, Atlanta, Ga.; finance, Charles F. Watson, Fitchburg, Mass.; conference, James L. Case, Norwich, Conn.; fire prevention, F. V. Bruns, Syracuse, N. Y.

The following are the other members of the executive committee: C. S. Pellet, Chicago; Louis L. Rauh, Cincinnati; James B. Leedom, Milwaukee; Oscar A. Smith, Memphis; John C. Coart, Seattle; Adolph J. Meyer, Indianapolis; Frederick V. Bruns, Syracuse, N. Y.; J. L. Case, Norwich, Conn.

Secretary Putnam resigned early in 1918, and Chauncey S. S. Miller was appointed secretary, and the secretary's office removed from Boston to New York.

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANIES. Organized 1895. The membership includes mutual fire and tornado and casualty insurance companies. The present officers, elected at the annual meeting in Kansas City in October, 1917, are: President, L. R. Welch, Fitchburg, Mass.; vice-president, C. M. McMillan, Carthage, Ill.; second vice-president, C. H. Ridgway, Kansas City, Mo.; third vice-president, W. M. Deisher, Reading, Pa.; secretary, Harry P. Cooper, Crawfordsville, Ind.; treasurer, C. A. McCotter, Indianapolis, Ind.; directors, W. E. Straub, Lincoln, Neb.; J. C. Adderly, Chicago, Ill.; W. B. Gasche, Topeka, Kans.; C. A. McCotter, Indianapolis, Ind.; H. P. Cooper, Crawfordsville, Ind.; Alfred H. Nash, Boston; John Hoffa, Harrisburg, Pa.; O. M. Thurber, Red Wing, Minn.; O. E. Hurst, Lexington, Ky.; Jacob Ambler, Ohio.

NATIONAL AUTOMOBILE UNDERWRITERS CONFERENCE, New York, N. Y. The first conference, known as the "Association of Automobile Underwriters," was organized in New York in December, 1909, and in June, 1911, the name of the organization was changed to the "Automobile Underwriters Conference." The National Automobile Underwriters Conference is the successor of the earlier organizations and the name was adopted in July, 1916. The purpose of the Conference as set forth in the constitution is to " promote and facilitate scientific underwriting covering all forms of insurance pertaining to automobiles," and is composed of six delegates from each of five local conferences, and only through affiliation with a a local conference can a company become a member of the National Conference. The five local conferences are the Eastern, Western, Southern, Pacific Coast, and New England, and the delegates from these local conferences elect the officers of the National Conference. The present officers are: President, Douglas F. Cox, United States Lloyds, New York; vice-president, J. B. Levison, Fireman's Fund, San Francisco; treasurer, W. A. Hamilton, Chubb & Son, New York; secretary, E. W. Richards, 80 Maiden Lane, New York. The business of the Conference is carried on through an executive and underwriting committee, committee on brokerage and commissions, and a reference committee. The executive committee, made up of three delegates from each of the five local conferences, is as follows: Eastern,

W. M. Ballard, C. K. Yungman, F. W. Day; New England, H. R. Clough, W. R. Hedge, J. V. Fothergill; Western, J. C. Harding, F. J. Sauter, H. P. Whitman; Southern, Milton Dargan, C. J. Neare, G. G. Bulkley; Pacific Coast, J. B. Levison, T. H. Anderson, C. S. Timberlake.

NATIONAL-BEN FRANKLIN FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY, Pittsburgh, Pa. Organized 1910 (consolidation of National