Proceedings of the ... Annual Convention of the National Association of Life ...
)\ / ! ■ I M J 1 : M ,iM !: ' ■: .; « 'i VMI'h' 1 I < J v i ■ • i : i >T. UM! -\ M C )i 'H »:i K .N, J i \ \ BO- I < h\, >i.\>S.: 1 1 IK SI VM)\!!') I'iJIVriNC ( (). 1jm;<; PROCEEDINGS OF THE SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL CONVENTION OF THE onal Association of Life Underwriters OLYMPIC THEATRE ST. LOUIS, MO. October 23, 24 and 25, 1906. BOSTON, MASS.: THE STANDARD PRINTING CO. 1906. r r «- Membership. THE NEW YORK BALTIMORE LDE UNDERWRITERS' ASSOCLVTION. mlS^ui^^ ASSOCIATION OF BIRMINGHAM, R 19UBABAMA. BOSTON LIFE UNDERWRITERS ' ASSOCIATION. LIFE UNDERWRITERS' ASSOCIATION OF CANADA. LIFE UNDERWRITERS' ASSOCIATION OF CHICAGO. CINCINNATI LIFE UNDERWRITERS' ASSOCIATION. CLEVELAND ASSOCIATION OF LIFE UNDERWRITERS. COLORADO ASSOCIATION OF LIFE UNDERWRITERS. CONNECTICUT LIFE UNDERWRITERS' ASSOCIATION. DAYTON ASSOCIATION OF LIFE UNDERWRITERS. DELAWARE ASSOCIATION OF LIFE UNDERWRITERS. DETROIT LIFE UNDERWRITERS' ASSOCIATION. ERIE ASSOCIATION OF LIFE UNDERWRITERS GEORGIA ASSOOATION OF LIFE UNDERWRITERS. LIFE UNDERWRITERS' ASSOCIATION OF GRAND RAPIDS MICHIGAN. HUDSON VALLEY LIFE UNDERWRITERS' ASSOCIATION. INDIANA ASSOCIATION OF LIFE UNDERWRITERS. NORTHERN INDIANA LIFE UNDERWRITERS' ASSOCIA- TION. IOWA LIFE UNDERWRITERS' ASSOCIATION. KANSAS CITY LIFE UNDERWRITERS' ASSOCIATION. LINCOLN LIFE UNDERWRITERS' ASSOCIATION. LIFE UNDERWRITERS' ASSOCIATION OF LOS ANGELES. LOUISVILLE ASSOCIATION OF LIFE UNDERWRITERS. MAINE LIFE UNDERWRITERS' ASSOCIATION. LIFE UNDERWRITERS' ASSOCIATION OF CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS. LIFE UNDERWRITERS' ASSOCIATION OF WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS. MINNEAPOLIS ASSOCIATION OF LIFE UNDERWRITERS. MINNESOTA ASSOCIATION OF LIFE UNDERWRITERS. LIFE UNDERWRITERS ' ASSOCIATION OF MOBILE. MONTGOMERY LIFE UNDERWRITERS' ASSOCIATION. LIFE UNDERWRITERS' ASSOCIATION OF NEBRASKA. NEWARK LIFE UNDERWRITERS' ASSOCIATION. NEW ENGLAND WOMEN'S LIFE UNDERWRITERS' ASSO- CIATION. NEW HAMPSHIRE LIFE UNDERWRITERS' CLUB. LIFE UNDERWRITERS' ASSOCIATION OF NEW YORK. LIFE UNDERWRITERS' ASSOCIATION OF WESTERN NEW YORK. LIFE UNDERWRITERS' ASSOCIATION OF NORTH CARO- LINA. LIFE UNDERWRITERS' ASSOCLATION OF OREGON. LIFE UNDERWRITERS' ASSOCIATION OP PEORLA, ILLI- NOIS. PHILADELPHIA ASSOCIATION OF LIFE UNDERWRITERS. PITTSBURG LIFE UNDERWRITERS' ASSOCIATION. PORT HURON LIFE UNDERWRITERS' ASSOCIATION. LIFE UNDERWRITERS' ASSOCIATION OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK. LIFE UNDERWRITERS' ASSOCIATION OF ST. LOUIS. LIFE UNDERWRITERS' ASSOCIATION OF SAVANNAH, GEORGIA. LIFE UNDERWRITERS' ASSOCIATION OF SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS. STARK COUNTY LIFE UNDERWRITERS' ASSOCIATION. LIFE UNDERWRITERS' ASSOCIATION OF SYRACUSE. LIFE UNDERWRITERS' ASSOCIATION OF TEXAS. TOLEDO ASSOCIATION OF LIFE UNDERWRITERS. UTAH LIFE UNDERWRITERS' ASSOCIATION. LIFE UNDERWRITERS' ASSOCIATION OF VIRGINIA. Officers, 1906-1907 President FRANK E.McMULLEN, Rochester, N.Y. First Vice-President ROBERT L. FOREMAN, Atlanta, Ga. Second Vice-President WILLIAM W. BOOTH, Denver, Col. Third Vice-President GEORGE H. ALLEN, Montreal, Canada. Secretary ERNEST J. CLARK, Baltimore, Md. Treasurer ELI D. WEEKS, Litchfield, Conn. Executive Committee STEPHEN F. WOODMAN, 141 Milk Street, Boston, Mass. Chairman. ERNEST JUDSON CLARK, 1041-1051 Calvert Bldg., Baltimore, Md. Secretary. [Expire 1907.] M. H. GOODRICH, Baltimore, Md. J. PERLEY KILGORE, Worcester, Mass. CHARLES L. WHITFIELD, Newark, N. J. E. O. SUTTON, Springfield, Mass. B. H. TIMBERLAKE, Minneapolis, Minn. W. J. ROBINSON, Buffalo, N. Y. J. W. FITZPATRICK, Portland, Me. JOHN H. QUINLAN, Newburg, N. Y. A. J. BIRDSEYE, Hartford, Conn. W. T. NUTTALL, Dayton, O. J. D. BOUSHALL, Raleigh, N. C. E. R. PUTNAM, Rochester, N. Y. PAN COAST KIDDER, Syracuse, N. Y. F. E. HITCHCOX, Springfield, 111. WALKER B. FREEMAN, Richmond, Va. GEORGE A. RIVIERE, Mobile, Ala. [Expire 1908.] J. R. NUTTING, Atlanta, Ga. WILLIAM J. CAMERON, Birmingham, Ala. F. T. RENCH, Canton, O. CHAS. B. VAN SLYKE, Des Moines, la. WILLIAM VAN SICKLE, Detroit, Mich. C. W. ORR, Fort Wayne, Ind. H. WIBIRT SPENCE, Grand Rapids, Mich. F. L. CHESNEY, Kansas City, Mo. HENRY J. POWELL, Louisville, Ky. J. A. WELLMAN, Manchester, N. H. CHARLES E. ADY, Omaha, Neb. GEORGE L. ROOT, Peoria, 111. R. S. CAMPBELL, Port Huron, Mich. WILLIAM M. WOOD, Pittsburgh, Pa. L. D. WILKES, St. Paul, Minn. GEORGE BENHAM, St. Louis, Mo. THOMAS J. STEWART, Toledo, O. [Expire 1909.] W 7 ILLIAM G. CARROLL, Philadelphia, Pa. CHARLES JEROME EDWARDS, New York City. JAMES W. JANNEY, Chicago, 111. J. W. IREDELL, Jr., Cincinnati, O. E. G. RITCHIE, Indianapolis, Ind. FRANK WOOLLEY, Wilmington, Del. GEORGE H. OLMSTED, Cleveland, O. JOHN F. BROWN, Erie, Pa. H. H. HASKELL, Los Angeles, Cal. WILLIAM GOLDMAN, Portland, Or. J. STANLEY, EDWARDS Denver, Colo. A. R. EDMISTON, Lincoln, Neb. R. P. DEXTER, Montgomery, Ala. H. C. COX, Montreal, Canada. BENJAMIN J. APPLE, Savannah, Ga. J. D. SPENCER, Salt Lake City, Utah. Ex-Presidents CHARLES H. RAYMOND, New York City. EVERETT H. PLUMMER, Philadelphin, Pa. THOMAS H. BOWLES, Washington, D. C. RICHARD E. COCHRAN, New York City. I. LAYTON REGISTER, Philadelphia, Pa. WILLIAM D. WYMAN, Chicago, 111. HUBERT H. WARD, Cleveland, O. JOHN DOLPH, Cincinnati, O. CHARLES W. SCOVEL, Pittsburgh,^. Members Ex-Officio FRANK E. McMULLEN, President,[Rochester, N. Y. ROBERT L. FOREMAN, 1st Vice-President, Atlanta, Ga. WILLIAM W. BOOTH, 2nd Vice-president, Denver, Colo. GEORGE H. ALLEN, 3rd Vice-president/ Montreal, Canada- ELI D. WEEKS, Treasurer, Litchfield, Conn. Ex-Presidents (Deceased.) GEORGE N. CARPENTER, Boston, Mass. C. E. TILLINGHAST, New York City. CHARLES H. FERGUSON, Chicago, 111. BEN S. CALEF, Boston, Mass. DAVID S. HENDRIC^, Washington, D. C. JAMES L. JOHNSON, Springfield, Mass. PHILIP H. FARLEY, New York City. Honorary Member CHAUNCEY MONROE RANSOM (deceased.) Standing Committees, 1906-1907 Speakers FRANK E. McMULLEN, Rochester, N. Y. ROBERT L. FOREMAN, Atlanta, Ga. WILLIAM W. BOOTH, Denver, Col. GEORGE H. ALLEN, Montreal, Can. EVERETT H. PLUMMER, Philadelphia, Pa. RICHARD E. COCHRAN, New York City. I. LAYTON REGISTER, Philadelphia, Pa. WILLIAM D. WYMAN, Chicago, 111. PHILIP H. FARLEY, New York City. JOHN DOLPH, Cincinnati, O. CHARLES W. SCOVEL, Pittsburgh, Pa. Finance PAN COAST KIDDER, Syracuse, N. Y. GEORGE BENHAM, St. Louis, Mo. W. T. NUTTALL, Dayton, O. E. R. PUTNAM, Rochester, N. Y. WALKER B. FREEMAN, Richmond, Va. WILLIAM J, CAMERON, Birmingham, Ala. H. H. HASKELL, Los Angeles, Cal. Membership W. M. WOOD, Pittsburgh, Pa. J. D. BOUSHALL. Raleigh, N. C. J. STANLEY EDWARDS, Denver, Col. JOHN H. QUINLAN, Newburg, N. Y. F. L. CHESNEY, Kansas City, Mo. WILLIAM GOLDMAN, Portland, Ore. Statistics J. W. IREDELL, Jr., Cincinnati, O. J. W. FITZPATRICK, Portland, Me. B. H. TIMBERLAKE, Minneapolis, Minn. H. E. ALDRICH, Des Moines, la. CHARLES JEROME EDWARDS, New York City. F. E. HITCHCOX, Springfield, 111. Topics WILLIAM G. CARROLL, Philadelphia, Pa. A. J. BIRDSEYE, Hartford, Conn. EDWARD O. SUTTON, Springfield, Mass. J. R. NUTTING, Atlanta, Ga. GEORGE H. OLMSTED, Cleveland, O. J. D. SPENCER, Salt Lake City, Utah. Prize Essays CHARLES E. ADY, Omaha, Neb. E. G. RITCHIE, Indianapolis, Ind. J. PERLEY KILGORE, Worcester, Mass. HENRY J. POWELL, Louisville, Ky. C. W. ORR, Fort Wayne, Ind. GEORGE A. RIVIERE, Mobile, Ala. Credentials GEORGE L. ROOT, Peoria, 111. CHARLES L. WHITFIELD, Newark, N. J. R. P. DEXTER, Montgomery, Ala. JOHN F. BROWN, Erie, Pa. F. WIBIRT SPENCE, Grand Rapids, Mich. THOMAS J. STEWART, Toledo, O. Transportation WILLIAM VAN SICKLE, Detroit, Mich. M. H. GOODRICH, Baltimore, Md. J. A. WELLMAN, Manchester, N. H. A. R. EDMISTON, Lincoln, Neb. BENJAMIN J. APPLE, Savannah, Ga. P. S. CAMPBELL, Port Huron, Mich. The Press JAMES W. JANNEY, Chicago, 111. W. J. ROBINSON, Buffalo, N . Y. FRANK WOOLLEY, Wilmington, Del. F. T. RENCH, Canton, O. L. D. WILKES, St. Paul, Minn. H. C. COX, Montreal, Can. NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LIFE UNDERWRITERS St. Louis, Mo., was the mecca of the life insurance fraternity the third week in October, all members who could do so, being in attendance at the seventeenth annual convention of the National Association of Life Underwriters. The first session opened on Tuesday morning the twenty-third, at the Olympic Theatre with a large attendance. Owing to the strenuous year through which the life insurance business had passed since the last annual gathering, an especially interesting meet- ing was anticipated, which anticipation was fully realized. The address of President Scovel was replete with informa- tion touching the action taken by the association with regard to the Armstrong Committee, the Chicago Conference and the hearing at Washington on the Ames Bill. He also reviewed the extension work of the association during the year, which resulted in the advance of the movement into Canada, thus making the association in reality international. The question of issuing an official organ monthly by the Association was also covered in his address and later on the plan was favorably acted upon by the convention. As usual considerable interest centered in the choice of offi\ "cers for the ensuing year, the election of F. E. McMullen as president, and Messrs. Foreman, Booth and Allen, vice-presi- dents, S. F. Woodman as chairman of the executive committee, and the re-election of Secretary Clark and Treasurer Weeks, assuring the association an able, conservative management. The papers and addresses presented at the convention covered a wide range of thought and elicited many expressions of ap- proval. The essays submitted in competition for the Calef Loving Cup and the Ben Williams Vase were of an unusually high order and the interest taken in this part of the program showed no waning. As in former years, the five-minute dis- cussions were the most practical features of the convention. An important amendment to the constitution was adopted, making other than strictly field men ineligible as delegates to the annual conventions, or to hold any official position in the National Association or to serve upon the executive com- mittee, and limiting the tenure of service of future ex-presidents of the Association, as members ex-officio of the executive com- mittee, to a term of three vears. The various resolutions, which after careful deliberation were passed by the convention, place the National Association squarely upon record as opposed to twisting, rebating and kindred unfair and vicious methods of securing business. 10 Seventeenth Annual Convention FIRST DAYS PROCEEDINGS MORN IN a SESSION The seventeenth annual convention of the National Asso- ciation of Life Underwriters was called to order by President Charles W. Scovel on Tuesday, Oct. 23, at 10 a. m., in the Olympic Theatre, St. Louis, Mo. At the request of the President, the convention rose while . Rev. B. P. Fullerton invoked the Divine blessing in the fol- lowing words: Oh, God, the maker of all things, the giver of all light and life, the Ksserver of us all: unto Thee we come, and before Thee we humbly w in this morning hour. We tarry for a moment before Thee to re- turn unto Thee our thanksgiving for all the blessings Thou hast bestowed upon us. We make confession of our sins. We bow iu : hefore Thee because Thou e worthy of it. We invoke Thy guidance in Ithe affairs to which we are to give our thoughts. Grant Thy blessings, we beseech Thee, upon this convention. Take Thou, we biseeeh Thee, every man into thine own keeping and care, preserving bun, guiding, keeping, blessing. Grant Thy lilessing upon our great country, Thy servant, the President of these t'nited States, and all who in any way bear responsibility in official positions. And grant, oh, Lord, that our life may be — abundantly blessed and through all organ- izations like this represented here may we rise to that position in Thy favor that Thou canst bless us more and more abundantly. And now guide and keep us in all the work before this body. May the smile of Thy face be on us all, and gather us to Thyself when our life's work is done. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our l.ord. Amen. The President — It has been extremely pleasant to see the way in which the association movement has, especially in this past year, been taken up and spread through the West and the South, the two portions of the country in which heretofore there has not been so much development. It is particularly fitting, therefore, that our convention this year should assemble in this great metropolis of the West and South. National Association of Life Undkh writers 11 We have the pleasure this morning of having with us, to give us a word of welcome, the Mayor of St. Louis, the Honorable Rolla Wells, whom I have the pleasure of introducing- (Ap- phiue.) Hon. Holla Wells: Mr. President, Gentlemen of the Convention: Through the courtesy of your local committee I have been invited to appear before you this morning. It has grown to lie the custom for mayors to say a few words of welcome to disthuniuhed guests in convention assembl- ed. It is, therefore, my grateful privilege to extend to you gentlemen of this conven- tion a most cordial greeting and welcome Ito the City of St. Louis. 1 believe that you will find this city most interesting. This locality has haci changes in fortune and in history different from most localities in the L'nited States. This location"has been under the domination of three Rags. Has passed in peaceful transi- tion from Spanish to French and from French to American sovereignty. Here was the mecca of Marquette, La Salle, DeSoto, arid l.aelede. Here was the start- ing point and base of supplies of I.ewis and Clark, who, under the instructions of President Jefferson, explored and opened the great northwestern territory and estab- lished the passage from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean. On the wall of the Mayor's office in this city I have had inscribed a prophecy made in 1704 by the founder of St. Louis, who said upon arriving at this point, "I have found a situation where I intend to establish a settlement which some day will be one of the first cities in America." (Applause.) This forecast has lieen true. Here you will find a conservative commercial people who have built up beautiful homes and accumulated their private fortunes and who are assembled and intermingled as law-abiding citizens, ever ready to stand for that which is right and proper. The oeople of this city have come from or are the descendents of those who have come from every section of the United States. It was here in early days where the fur trader of the North met the cotton and sugar planter from the South, the miner from the West, the pioneer from the East; resulting today in the amal- gamation of a people who represent true American citizenship; and especially are they noted for the greetim: 1 and hospitality that they are ever ready to extend to the stranger who comes within their gates. And now it is my grateful pleasure, in their name and on their behalf, to extend to you gentlemen the courtesies of this city, expressing the hope that your visit among us will be most enjoyable, and expressing the regret that "greeting" must be so soon followed by "farewell." (Applause.) 12 Seventeenth Annual Convention The President — The remarkable blend of southern and western hospitality which distinguishes St. Louis, (sometimes in liquid form) has been twice experienced by me at the hands of the St. Louis Association. What that hospitality means we are all to learn this week, and we are now going to hear some- thing of it from one who has been a power of strength not only in the local association but by his manful work in the National Association as first vice-president. I have the pleasure of in- troducing Mr. George Benham, President of the St. Louis Association. (Applause.) Vice-Pkebidest Henham — The hearty welcome given you by the Mayor of St. Louis leaves nothing to be said to make you feel that you are the guests of the city, but on behalf of the St. Louis Association I wish to add a few words of fraternal greeting. We are more than glad that you are here and we appreciate the spirit in which 'yuii have responded so generously to our invitation. You of the South and , the West, we know, join with us in extend- I ing the hand of welcome to our brothers I of the North and East. I-et it be under- H stood that this reference to localities is B ncit intended in anv sense as a sectional f division. (Applause.) We are here in a ' common cause, and we are animated by one spirit. We represent something more than geographical constituencies, just as we stand for something far greater than the special interests of any individual or group of individuals, or of any company or group of companies whose representatives are in this gathering. It sseem to me especially fitting that this greatest and most important convention in the history of our association should have its place in this central city of our great country. Here we meet on common ground to promote the common welfare. In this spirit we greet you. Louis. (Applause.) The President — The secretary will please call the roll The roll was then called by the secretary. The names of those who answered are indicated in the following list by a star: National Association of Life Underwriters 13 OFFICERS OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, 1905-1906 President ♦Charles W. Scovel, Pittsburg, Pa. Vice-Presidents ♦George Benham, St. Louis. Mo.; *Frank E. McMullen, Rochester, N. Y.; ♦Robert F. Shedden, Atlanta, Ga. Secretary ♦Ernest J. Clark, Baltimore, TVTd Treasurer ♦Eli D. Weeks, Litchfield, Conn. Executive Committee Expire in 1906 — William G. Carroll, Philadelphia, Pa.; ♦George A. Brinkerhoff, New York City.;D. M. Baker, Chicago, 111.; +J. W. Iredell, Jr., Cincinnati, O.; ♦£. G. Ritchie, Indianapolis, Ind.; Frank Woolley, Wilmington, Del.; ♦George H. Olmsted, Cleveland, O.; ♦Stephen F. Woodman, Boston, Mass. ; John F. Brown, Erie, Pa. ; William V. Holley, Los Angeles, Ca!,.; William Goldman, Portland, Ore. Expire in 1907 — M. H. Goodrich, Baltimore, Md.; J. Perley Kilgore, Worcester, Mass.; Charles L. Whitfield, Newark, N. J.; E. O. Sutton, Springfield, Mass.; B. H. Timberlake, Minneapolis, Minn.; *W. J. Robinson, Buffalo, N. Y.; J. W. Fitzpatrick, Portland, Me.; George A. Cantine, Newburg, N. Y.; + A. J. Birdseye, Hartford, Conn.; W. T. Nutt- all, Dayton, O.; J. D. Boushall, Raleigh, N. C; ♦F. E. McMullen, Rochester, N. Y.; Pancoast Kidder, Syracuse, N. Y.; Henry Abels, Springfield, 111.; Walter B. Freeman, Richmond, Va.; George A. Riviere, Mobile, Ala. Expire in 1908 — C. W. Orr, Ft. Wayne, Ind.; R. L. Foreman, Atlanta, Ga.; W. R. Noble, Louisville, Ky.; *.T. A. Wellman, Manchester, N. H.; ♦William Van Sickle, Detroit, Mich.; ♦George L. Root, Peoria, 111.; ♦H. E. Aldrich, Des Moines, la.; ♦George Benham, St. Louis, Mo.; *W. M. Wood, Pittsburg, Pa.; ♦Charles E. Ady, Omaha, Neb.; W. J. Cameron, Birmingham, Ala.; H. Wibirt Spence, Grand Rapids, Mich.; ♦F. L. Chesney, Kansas City, Mo.; L. D. Wilkes, St. Paul, Minn.; R. S. Camp- bell, Port Huron, Mich,; F. T. Rench, Canton, O ; Thomas J. Stewart, Toledo, O. Ex-Presidents Charles H. Raymond, New York City,; Everett H. Plummer, Phila- delphia, Pa. ; Thomas H. Bowles, Washington, D. C. ; ♦Richard E. Coch- ran, New York City; I. Layton Register, Philadelphia, Pa.; ♦William D. Wyman, Chicago, 111.; ♦Philip II. Farley, New York City; Hubert H. Ward, Cleveland, O. 14 Seventeenth Annual Convention DELEGATES AND ALTERNATES The following is the official list of delegates and alternates appointed to attend the convention : Delegates. * Edwin W. Heisse, iEtna. W. W. Mclntire, United States. *M. H. Brenan, Mut. Baltimore. * J. K. Voshell, Metropolitan. F. C. Nicoderaus, Conn. Mut. F. A. Savage, New England. J. H. Ireland, Home Life. BALTIMORE. Alternates. •G. R. Walter, Prudential. Francis S. Briggs, Mass. Mut. J. L. Downes, Northwestern. E. L. Gernaud, State Mutual. A. Schussler, Metropolitan. H. N. McGouch, Prudential. C. T. Thurman, Mut. Benefit. BIRMINGHAM. W. J. Cameron, Washington. *W. H. Stewart, Metropolitan. G. H. Estes, Mutual. W. L. Sessions, Prudential. T. R. McCarty, Security, N. Y. E. H. Andrews, Union Central. P. C. Ratliff, Penn Mutual. B. E. Norvell, Pacific Mutual. G. N. Cox, National, U. S. A. G. T. Sibley, Equitable. BOSTON. *P. V. Baldwin, Travelers. G. C. Brown, Jr., Security Mut. J. F. Cavanagh, Washington. William H. Dyer, Berkshire. J. H. Edwards, National, Vt. Louis L. Hopkins, Mutual. H. N. Haven, Phoenix Mutual. F. J. Hammer, Prov. L. & T. *F. W. Ganse, Columbian Nat'l. Frederick E. Keep, Mutual. Corwin McDowell, New York. *C. E. Townsend, Equitable. *S. F. Woodman, Travelers. W. F. Bache, Northwestern. E. S. Parker, State Mutual C. S. Burke, Conn. General. R. C. Bridgham, Union Mutual. James F. Chase, Travelers. J. S. Cranston, Prudential. George E. Elliott, ^Etna. C. H. Flood, New England. S. C. Johnson, Columbian National. F. C. Sanborn, Mass. Mutual. George E. Williams, Conn. Mutual. W. H. Whitney, Union Central. Nathan Warran, Equitable. CANADA. *G. H. Allen, Mut. Life, Canada. R. J. Stuart, Sun. *H. C. Cox, Canada. T. G. McConkey, North Amer. E. R. Machum, Manufacturers. C. C. Knight, Sun. C. P. McQueen, Great West. T. F. Conrad, New York. W. J. Waters, North American. S. Burrows, Mut. Life, Canada. C. S. Everett. G. H. Simpson, North American. *W. B. Campbell, "Office & Field. *W. S. Milne, " Money & Risks. »» CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS. J. P. Kilgore, Northwestern. Charles M. Smith, Travelers. S. Hamilton Coe, Mutual. W. G. Ludlow, Metropolitan. *Burton H. Wright, State Mutual. James F. Ferrie, Mutual, N. Y. George H. Vars, State Mutual. Ludwig Johnson, Phoenix Mutual. L. V. Bailey, Provident L. & T. C. B. Moore, Col. National. *D. M. Dustan, Conn. Mutual. C. E. Greene, John Hancock. *E. J. Sartelle, State Mutual. National Association op Life Underwriters 15 CHICAGO. Delegates. *.J. W. Janney, Provident L. & T. Dr. S. L. Puller, Prudential. J. W. Hansel, Col. National. *I. B. Snow, Mass. Mutual. *T. B. Merrill, iEtna. *H. S. Dale, Union Mutual. *Pred B. Mason. ^Etna. *T. L. Fansler, Northwestern. * Robert Skene, Jr., Mutual. * J. L. Ferguson, Prudential. D. G. Drake, National, Vt: *E. Wrenn. State Mutual. * J. Girardin, Phoenix Mutual. *H. D. Wright, Metropolitan. *H. M. Curtis, Conn. Mutual. *L. B. Bishop, Mass. Mutual. *H. B. Keck. *H. G. Snell, National. Alternates. *R. D. Bokum, Mutual Benefit. C. D. Norton, Northwestern. *E. H. Carmack, State Mutual. R. W. Stevens, Illinois. *H. H. Hoyt, Col. National. # E. A. Ferguson, Union Central. A. B. Neuman, Equitable. Franklin Wyman, Berkshire. *W. F. Workman, Franklin. J. M. Shockney, United States. J. W. Jackson, Home. *G. M. Herrick, Provident L. & T. *Dr. H. C. Castor, Mutual. J. P. Oates, Northwestern. A. Stevenson, Col. National. E. J. Nealy, Prudential. CINCINNATI. Isaac Bloom, Penn Mutual. John Dolph, Metropolitan. Thomas Q. Dix, Travelers. Collin Ford, iEtna. C. E. Logan, Conn. Mutual. * J. W. Iredell, Jr., Penn Mutual. *William B. Jones, State Mutual. *Millard W. Mack, Northwestern. *W. D. Yerger, Provident L. & T. John A. Ringold, Berkshire. *E. M. France, State Mutual. *C. W. Carpenter, Union Central. *C. Wadsworth, Penn Mutual. *H. Fellinger, Security Mutual. *W. R. Gilbert, Mutual. *Nathan Kendall, Penn Mutual. *G. H. Olmsted, National, Vt. Major F. A. Kendall, Penn Mut. *R. Steinke, Metropolitan. *H. F. McNutt, New England. F. T. Thurber, Union Mutual. VELAND. A. K. Hannen, Berkshire. J. W. Pickard, Mutual Benefit. C. A. Sullens, Prudential. S. S. Saffold, Provident L. & T. *W. G. Warner, Pacific Mutual. C. F. Whipple, Franklin. J. M. Koch, Germania. W. B. Lahr, Mass. Mutual. J. J. Jackson, JDtna. D. L. Caulkins, Conn. Mutual. T. M. Norris, Union Central. COLORADO. * J. P. Cullum. Union Central. G. A. Rathbun, Equitable. Meyer Harrison, Penn Mutual. *W. W. Booth, Prov. Savings. •I. R. Cowles, Provident L. & T. F. E. Bushby, National, Vt. P. H. Showalter, Prudential. John McGregor, Mass. Mutual. O. H. Stewart, Union Mutual. *J. Stanley Edwards, JEtna. 16 Seventeenth Annual Convention Delegates. *A. J. Birdseye, Mutual Benefit. F. W. Hodge,* State Mutual. *R. M. Northrup, Travelers. F. Willson Rogers, Mass. Mut. L. C. Slayton, Penn Mutual. CONNECTICUT. Alternates. C. B. Andrews, Prudential. F. G. Burnham, State Mutual. H. S. Howe, Mutual Benefit. J. W. Keyes, Mutual Benefit A. E. Howard, Travelers. *C. E.Stockton, Provident L.&T. H. H. Miller, Phoenix. * William Tolman, Berkshire. A. T. Richards, Conn. Mutual. *Eli D. Weeks, Phoenix. *Winslow Russell, Phoenix. DAYTON. * Job Hill, Michigan Mutual. W. T. Nuttall, Prudential. *W. O. Cord, Michigan Mutual. F. M. Thomas, Equitable. H. D. Keefer, Metropolitan. R. M. Miller, Provident L. & T. A. A. Kennett, Western & Southern- O. N. Gaylord, Equitable, la. W. R. Sullivan, Travelers. H. C. Herchelrode. V. P. Van Home, Mutual. D. C. Brower, National, Vt. DETROIT. *W. Van Sickle, Home Life. F. C. Campbell, Union Central. T. F. Giddings, Mich. Mutual. A. R. Thomson, New England. G. H. Beach, Canada Life. C. L. Vieman, John Hancock. N. Reese, Provident L. & T. O. S. Boda, Metropolitan. J. M. Dickey, Mutual. C. D. W. Brown, Northwestern. John F. Brown, Penn Mutual. Charles F. Austin, Equitable. E. J. Crowell, New York. D. A. Johnston, Penn Mutual. E. L. Pickell, Mass. Mutual. *D. A. Clark, Mutual Benefit. W. A. Waite, Phoenix Mutual. *C. A. Stringer, State Mutual. W. R. Downing, Prudential. Walter Thompson, Travelers. George D. Reid, Prudential. ERIE. David W. Harper, Mutual. W. K. Dickey, Mutual. O. G. Morrison, Mutual. C. F. Schlandecker, Equitable. R. H. Howell, Mutual Benefit. GEORGIA. * J. R. Nutting, Prov. Savings. M. J. McCord, National, U. S. A. A. C. Newell, Col. National. C. S. Northen, Phoenix Mutual. H. H. Steiner, Equitable. *F. H. Daniels, Provident Savings. B. L. Burwell, Life Ins. Co., Va. J. S. Cameron, Sun. W. E. Hawkins, ./Etna. J. J. Coggins, Manhattan. H. H. Gabaniss, Citizens. GRAND RAPIDS. H. Wibirt, Spence, Mutual. A. N. Greene, Travelers. E. G. Squires, Prudential. A. D. Swain, New England. *H. W. Le SageTen Broek, Central.T. J. Henderson, Illinois. B. C. Kimes, Home. P. A. Geldhof, Canada. C. H. Perkins, Mutual Benefit. A. H. Pratt, ;Etna. National Association of Life Underwriters 17 hudson valley. Delegates. Alternates. J. H. Quinlan, Northwestern. H. W. Schonewolf, New York. C. P. Sadlier, New York. W. B. Quinlan, Northwestern. *E. J. Webb, Travelers. H. R. Crookston, Prudential. A. W. Hindle, Prudential. W. L. Thatcher, Colonial. James W. Tice, New York. M.T. Donohue, Metropolitan. INDIANA. * J. F. Habbe, Mass. Mutual. E. L. Killen, Phoenix Mutual. *E. E. Flickinger, John Hancock. John J. Price, Berkshire. *E. G. Ritchie, State Mutual. * John R. King, Mutual Benefit. Pleasant Bond, Penn Mutual. W. J. Greenwood, Northwestern. V. J. A. Obenauer, Mut. Benefit. *E. F. Folsom, Mass. Mutual. G. C. Babcock, New York. Frank W. Olin, United States. IOWA. *E. S. Miller, Conn. Mutual. *Dr. C. H. Phillpot, Des Moines. *H. E. Aldrich, Equitable. R. J. Fleming, Mutual. *C. B. Van Slyke, Mut. Benefit. *A.H.Huling, Underwriters' Review. George B. Peak, Central Life. * J. P. Stake, Fidelity Mutual. *F. D. Jackson, Royal Union. B. N. Waller, Northwestern. •George H. Shaw, Union Mutual. ■ H. E. Rumsey, Penn Mutual. KANSAS CITY. *F. W. Segur, Provident L. & T. *C. L. Barbee, John Hancock. *Ira B. Mapes, Phoenix Mutual. C N. Seidlitz, Mutual. W. P. Motley, Pacific Mutual. L. B. Bailey, .Etna. *C. C. Courtney,- Mutual Benefit. C. L. Scott, Mass. Mutual. *F. L. Chesney, StateMutual. C. D. Mill, New England. LINCOLN. *Z. Dwiggins, Jftna. J. H. Mockett, Jr., Northwestern. F. Mockett, Northwestern. H. W. Noble, New England. *N. Z. Snell, H. H. Ixmgbridge, Equitable. *A. R. Edmiston, Union Central. F. E. Perkins, New England. LOUISVILLE. *H. J. Powell, Equitable. J. C. Davidson, ^Etna. ! C. L. McDonald, Phoenix Mutual .Biscoe Hindman. Mutual. *F. L. McKernan, National, Vt. *A. L. Noe, State Mutual. H. D. Rodman, Northwestern. J. W. Bell, United States. * J. M. Johnson, Provident Savings.W. W. Dennis, Mutual Benefit. *C. A. Hitchcock, *J. M. Quinn, Commonwealth. 1 *G. H. Robinson, | MAINE. Arthur C. Westcott, iEtna. C. F. Dunlap, Mutual Benefit. I J. P. Stevens, Mass. Mutual. *C. M. March, Penn Mutual. G. M. Barney, Travelers. E. E. Decker, Conn. Mutnal. I W. DeC. Moore, Prudential. S. H. McAlpine, Phoenix Mutual. i Wadsworth Noyes, New England. L. J. Fitzpatrick, Mutual. 18 Seventeenth Annual Convention MINNEAPOLIS. Delegates. *C. W. Van Tuyl, State Mutual. * J. E. Meyers, iEtna. *N. W. Clark, Mutual Benefit. *H. W. Butts, John Hancock. *V. H. Van Slyke, Union Central. Alternates. J. J. Ahern, Mass. Mutual. J. A. Hunter, Canada Life. S. A. Stockwell, Penn Mutual. B. H. Timberiake, Prudential. W. M. Horner, Provident L. & T. MINNESOTA. B. H. Richardson, Washington. J. J. Bullis, John Hancock. L. D. Wilkes, Equitable. C. J. Hunt, New England. G. Waldorf, Mutual, N. Y. *Chas. L. Rakowsky *G. B. Graves, State Mutual. J. W. Smith, Provident I,. & T. J. P. Coan, Prudential. Rollin Frye, Equitable. P. B. Hunt, Mutual Benefit. MONTGOMERY. E. G. Branch, Penn Mutual. J. S. Willcox, Mutual. E. J. Mever, Mass. Mutual. R. P. Dexter, Prov. Savings. I. W. Gregory, New York. A. H. Vipond, New York. *E. Schmidt, Canada. J. P. Daly, Prov. Savings. J. W. Lamkly, Mutual. G. E. Williams, New York. J. F. Desmarais, Great West. L. Strauss, Union Central. L. Hass, National, Vt. T. J Heflin, Prudential. W. J. Weil, Travelers. C. N. Davis, Metropolitan. MONTREAL. S. P. Stearns, Equitable. D. Burke, Royal- Victoria. E. A. Powers, New York. J. C. Stanton, Jr., Sun. R. B. Foster, North American. Thoman J. Parkes, Sun. NEBRASKA. *C. E. Ady, National, Vt. •John Steel, Northwestern. John Dale, iEtna. *H. D. Neely, Equitable. Edwin T. Swobe, New York. W. A. Smith, Phoenix Mut. C. Z. Gould, Penn Mutual. M. T. Rohrer, Prov. Savings. Stanhope Fleming, Mutual. W f . H. Indoe, State Mutual. NORTH CAROLINA. J. C. Drewrv, Mutual Benefit. Harris R. Wilcox, Mutual, N. Y. P. D. Gold, Jr., Prov. Savings. J. D. Boushall, iEtna. W. B. Allen, Greensboro. G. A. Grimslev, Security & Annuity. W. H. McCabe, State Mutual. Cary J. Hunter, Union Central. NEW HAMPSHIRE. A. W. Childs, Travelers. R. H. Cheney, Mutual. E. Scott Owen, Conn. General. J. J. Donahoe, New England. *J. A. Wellman, National, Vt. J. F. Whitney, Mutual Benefit. R. W. Cheney, Mutual. C. S. Parker, /Etna. G. A. Dickey, Provident L. & T. L. A. Cheever, Metropolitan. National Association of Life Underwriters 19 new england women's. Delegates. Alternates. *Mrs. F. £. Shaal, Equitable. Miss E. A. Ransom, The Standard *Miss L. M. Morrill, Equitable. Miss H. M. Folger, Penn Mutual. Miss J. A. Sprague, Mutual. Mrs. M. T. Lane, State Mutual. Mrs. V. B. Peaks, New York. Mrs. M. C. Hall, Equitable. Miss M. G. A. Toland, Mutual. Mrs. A. G. Whitcomb, Equitable. NEW JERSEY. C. L. Whitfield, Mutual. E. E. Rice, New England. H. H. Gseller, National, Vt. H. H. Coleman, Northwestern. R. B. Cornish, Mutual Benefit. C. F. McCord, Penn Mutual. Edward L. Tucker, Northwestern. NEW YORK. Tilden Blodgett, Equitable. Seth H. Whiteley, New England. *R. E. Cochran, United States. J H. Robinson, Berkshire. *G. A. Brinkerhoff, Mutual. Col. J. W. Vrooman, Prov. Savings. *Charles Wake, Equitable. W. T. Diefendorf, Mutual. A. G. Shepard, John Hancock. J. N. S. Brewster, Mass. Mutual. *D. G. C. Sinclair, Metropolitan. W. A. Nicolav, JFAna.. *T. R. Fell, Mutual. R. G. Shirley, New York. J. S. Anderson, Prov. Savings. W. F. Atkinson, Northwestern. S. S. Voshell, Metropolitan. Frederick W. Bliss, Mutual. W. C. Scheide, Prussian. A. R. Taylor, Penn Mutual. John F. Makley, National, Vt. George A. Smith, Prudential. *P. H. Farley, Mutual. J. A. Goulden, Penn Mutual. M. E. Goulden, Penn Mutual. P. M. Woods, John Hancock. *W. C. Johnson, Phoenix Mutual. S. M. Hard, Washington. *C. J. Edwards, Equitable. J. A. Parker, Union Central. *C. V. Dykeman, Prudential. B. R. Rose, Penn Mutual. *R. T. Johnson, Washington. James Reubens, Equitable. J. Westervelt, Col. National. T. P. Spencer, Travelers. R. M. Beckley, Pacific Mutual. J. S. Eggleston, Home. ♦Herbert N. Fell, Mutual. Robert H. Hardy, Mutual James Breath, New York. Seward Prosser, Equitable. J. E. McLean, New York. J. W. Simpson, Fidelity Mut. NORTHERN INDIANA. Clark Fairbank, Penn Mutual. W. P. Cooper, New York. Charles W. Orr, ^Etna. J. L. Scott, Prudential. C. B. Fitch, National, Vt. PEORIA, ILL. * John E. Keene. R. O. Becker, Northwestern. O. H. Augustine, Illinois. *G. C. Goodfellow, Conn. Mutual. Harry W. Keith, John Hancock. *George L. Root, Penn Mutual. J. V. Martin, Metropolitan. *J. H. Monteith, Prudential. L. F. Larson, Northwestern. *Paul W. Cleveland, New England. Ross E. Thomas, New York. 20 Seventeenth Annual Convention PHILADELPHIA. Delegates. * W. M. Scott, Provident L. & T. Wm. G. Carroll, Conn. General. •Clarence A. Wray, Home. * J. T. Moore, Provident L. & T. Harold Pearce, New York. H. Kendall Read, National, Vt. * W. A. Higinbotham, Sun. H. C. Lippincott, Penn Mutual. Alternates. F. H. Garrigues, Penn Mutual. F. E. Hammer, John Hancock. A. C. Otis, Union Mutual. H. W. Littlefield, Provident Savings. *J.H. C. Whiting/ * A. Ex. & Review." R. R. Dearden, Jr., "U. S. Review." James H. Glenn, Mutual Benefit. H. Leon Reeves, Maryland. PITTSBURGH. *C. W. Scovel, Prov. Savings. *C. B. Knight, Prudential. *W. M. Wood, United States. *W. M. Furey, Berkshire. J. C. Biggert, Penn Mutual. J. J. Tiffinghast, Mutual Benefit. G. C. Wells, Provident L. & T. R. A. Clark, Phoenix Mutual. *L. C. Robens, Reliance. L. J. Regan, Metropolitan. W. S. Stimmel, John Hancock. J. M. Dalbey, Mutual, N . Y. W. H. McManus, Equitable. R. W. Ries, Jr., Pittsburgh L. & T. *G. M. Hayes, Sun S. L. Fleishman, Reliance. E. L. Porter, Equitable, *W. W. Pipes, Prudential. H. W. Koons, Western & Southern. *F. G. Brown, ;Etna. L. Fosdick, Equitable. B. C. Bakewell, Prudential. N. S. Wooldridge, Equitable. C. A. Foehl, Prudential. Fred. C. Pierce, Equitable. S. A. Gillespie, Prudential. A. R. Mackey, Berkshire. A. M. Klages, Prudential. *T. R. Alexander, Provident Life E. A. Woods, Equitable, ROCHESTER, N. Y. *F. E. McMullen, .Etna. ♦M.R.Miller, *E. R. Putnam, Phoenix Mutual. H. J. Emerson, Mutual. J. A. Turnbull, Conn. General. C. T. Haggerty, Travelers. H. G. Bennett, Northwestern. C. A. McCheeney. *F. P. Ely, Home. *C. J. Horan, Metropolitan. A. V. Smith. W. H. Wall. J. V. Alexander. H. R. Lewis, Union Central. II. C. McAlpine, Prov. Savings. Thomas Wood, Metropolitan. SAVANNAH. Julian Schley, Penn Mutual, L. T. Doyle, Conn. Mutual. C. F. Moses, Mutual. A. Shulhafer, State Mutual. *W. J. Harty, Mass. Mutual. T. P. Saffold, New York. E. H. O'Connor, Mutual Benefit. S. J. Wheaton, Jr., Penn Mutual. B. H. Haines, Metropolitan. *Ben. J. Apple, Mass. Mutual. National Association op Life Underwriters 21 ST. LOUIS. Delegates. Alternates. ♦George Benham, Penn Mutual. *Charles Aldrich, Mutual Benefit. * J. S. Poindexter, National, Vt. * J. W. Estes, iEtna. * W. L. Michener, Provident L. & T.J. S. Kendrick, Equitable. *I. D. Sperry, Phoenix Mutual. *F. N. Cheney, Mutual. * J. L. Brininstool, Minnesota Mut. *C. L. Carson, Provident Savings. *W. A. Galentine, Prudential. *Nathan Kaufman, Mutual Benefit. *B. Pallette, National, U. S. A. *E. S. Williams, Provident L. & T. * J. J. Raleigh, John Hancock. *H. M. Leonard, American Central. *W. H. Herrick, Provident Savings. SPRINGFIELD, ILL. *C. W. Walker, Equitable. * J. H. Ruckel, New England. *F. E. Hitchcock, Mutual, N. Y. J. L. Pickering. *A.S. Booth. C. G. Cantral. *W. F. Workman, Franklin. C. B. Turner. C. D. Kipp, Prudential. *Gaylord Davidson. Mutual SYRACUSE, N. Y. Pancoast Kidder, Mutual. G. E. Brainard, Equitable. S. G. Landon, Prov. L. & T. G. N. Cooper, Conn. Mutual. J. H. H. Young, Canada. H. D. Chapman, New York. H. T. Skerritt, ^Etna. W. F. Wallace, Mass. Mutual. F. P. Allen, Equitable. C. H. Tennant, Prudential. J. F. O'Donnell, Prudential. K. A. Luther, jEtna. TOLEDO. T. J .Stewart, Prudential. J. J. Mooney, Michigan Mutual. E. L. Briggs, Prudential. C. H. Parsons, Northwestern. G. W. Farley, Equitable, la. R. E. Ferguson, Mutual Benefit. W. H. Filler, Metropolitan. J. S. Atkins, Michigan Mutual. C. E. Holt, Mutual. J. W. Crook, Provident L. & T. UTAH *Will G. Farrell, VIRGINIA. Capt. C. Hall, Penn Mutual. Oscar Swineford, Equitable. W. B. Freeman, New York. F. W. Adams, Mutual. Wm. S. Drewry, Mutual Benefit. R. S. Luck, Union Central. Geo. W. Bahlke, Metropolitan. Pelham Blackford, Prudential. John E. Harding, Metropolitan. Col. F. Pleasants, National, Vt. WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS. *W. P. Draper, Northwestern. A. R. Birchard, Prudential. J. C. Robinson, New England. G. O. Sutton. F. C. Stedman, Mutual. W. L. Richards, Mass. Mutual. E. M. Allis, Mass. Mutual. A. Ladner, Provident L. & T. W. O. Baldwin, New York. E. P. Worthington, Metropolitan. F. W. Fuller, Equitable. O. L. Cowles, Mutual Benefit. 22 Seventeenth Annual Convention western new york. H. E. Crouch, Northwestern. Charles N. Weber, Home. E. C. Fowler, Conn. General. A. S. Johnston, Mutual Benefit. W. G. Justice Prov. L. & T. F. D. Bewley, Mutual. F. A. G. Merrill, State Mutual. D. M. Cherrier, Phoenix Mutual. E. G. Hatch, John Hancock. E. N. Horgan, Gennania. F. E. Lahey, Prudential. M. M. Porter, National, Vt. *W. J. Robinson. INSURANCE PRESS Boston, Mass. — C. E. Belcher, The Standard; H. H. Putnam, Jour- nal of Insurance Economics. Chicago, 111. — R. A. Hunt, Insurance Field. Denver, Col. — Cyrus K. Drew, Insurance Report. Des Moines, la. — A. H. Huling, Underwriters' Review. Louisville, Kv. — Young E. Ellison, Insurance Field. New York City — L. Walter Sammis, New York Commercial; T. H. Swartz, The Insurance Press. Oak Park, 111. — A. J. Flitcratt, Life Insurance Courant. Philadelphia, Pa. — Benjamin L. Tomes, American Exchange and Review. St. Louis, Mo. — William H. Reed, Insurance Leader. Toronto, Can. — W. B. Campbell, Office and Field. Mr. Charles Jerome Edwards, New York City — Mr. Chairman, for the purpose of having the Chair rule, will you please state how vacan- cies are to be filled in a delegation. Presumably the absence of an elected delegate leaves a vacancy to be filled by any alternate of that delegation. Ami correct? The President' — Not by him, but with him. By the dele- gates who are present; they having the power under the constitution to fill up their own delegation by adding anyone qualified to be a delegate. Mr. Edwards — One further question, please. That does not mean anyone who is qualified to be a delegate from another association ? The President — The practice, I understand, has been such. It is of course a matter of small moment, inasmuch as the voting is by associations upon any important question, and the unit vote prevails. But I understand it has been in the past quite frequently the case that persons who were pres- ent unattached were taken in by some other delegation. Mr. Edwards — One further question, how is the permanent roll to be established ? We were informed that there would be some scanning of credentials or otherwise, and we were asked to be sure to have our credentials ready and pass them in to the secretary. By what committee, or through what channel or method is the permanent roll of the con- vention made up ? National Association of Life Under writers 23 The President — There is a committee on credentials which is in charge of the registration desk, to the representa- tive of whom we understand each member has passed his cre- dentials, and the roll will be made up by them. Certain announcements are to be made by Mr. Herriek, Chairman of the St. J-ouis reception committee, who is here at this moment. M«. W. H. Hi.rkick, St. Louis, Mo.— You all remember the old saw about "All work and no play" and we have undertaken to arrange a little program in the way of pleasure, and wish to call attention to it. This evening is the reception at the Southern Hotel, which everybody will attend anyway. Tomorrow the tally-ho ride has been arranged for one-thirty, and we will ask you all to be prompt, as we shall not have more than enough time to complete our ride before sunset. Tickets for the theatre party can be ob- tained onlv at our headquarters. Room 64, Southern Hotel. I will ask delegates who have ladies with them to kindly see that they are ready promptly at ten o'clock Thnrsdav morning to join with some of the ladies from St. Louis, together with some very discreet members of the St. Louis association, on a trip to the largest brewery in the world. (Laughter.) We have provided a special car for that purpose. We regret very much that the business of the convention will tuke up so much of the time of the delegates to the convention that we could not take all of you out there, but if you will stay over till Friday we will take you all there. (Applause.) Mr. George L. Root, for the Transportation Committee made a request that the delegates to the convention turn in their railroad certificates at once. On motion of Mr. Richard E. Cochran, the reading of the minutes of the last meeting, which would have been the next business on the program, was dispensed with. The President — Brothers and Sisters of the Convention: We have been most cordially and eloquently welcomed to the city, the welcoming hand has also been extended by the local association, and it is now my privilege and pleasure to welcome you all into the convention, the closest brotherhood of this oc- 24 Seventeenth Annual Convention casion. It is a great pleasure to see such a gathering assembled. The registration already indicates that this will probably be the largest convention on record, and certainly the most widely representative convention, in spite of this troublous year. With the loss of many from the agency forces and from the associa- tions, we are nevertheless, I am quite sure, going to have a really great convention. It is a particular pleasure to see present with us our sisters from the New England Women's Associa- tion. (Applause.) We have already said how glad we are to see our brothers from across the line (which no longer exists) representing the great new Canadian Association. After this cordial welcome President Scovel read the follow- ing address: Since our last convention at Hartford thirteen months have passed — fateful number and fatetul period witnessing such an upheaval as American life insurance has never before experienced. 1 shall not at- tempt any review of the events that were burned into the memories of us all during those months of indiscriminate clamor and impending calamity. Happily time enough has now elapsed and tJie storm in the public Imind has sufficiently abated, for a clearer, saner view of the whole situation to be steadily prevailing. Even as to individuals whose careers have lieen blighted and who have been pilloried from Maine to Califor- nia, there is a growing disposition to temper judgment with consideration and to realize that, whatever die faults and mistakes to be charged against them, there is a lung column of actual results achieved for humanity to lie credited to them on the other side of the ledger. And as to the institution of life in- itself, which for a time seemed to be merely a butt for the ......,, -liner, and a foot-hall for the demagogue, there is no question jut that public opinion today recognizes that this institution has been tried as by fire, tried as no other business institutions have ever been tried, and that it has come forth triumphant, with its solvency, its stabil- ity, its benefirieuce more firmly established iliaii ever. ' all the better for the Armstrong investigation but (he tremendous outburst of enraged public opinion. Such an upheaval could not fail to cause every life insurance man to search each nook and corner and do liis l>est to correct from within any error or evil he could discover. Sueh a wholesale liouscrfeaiiiii;; could not fail to be good for any human institution, could not fail to give it a mighty impulse along the toad of improvement, which its leaders, with every few excep- National Association of Life Underwriters 25 tions, have themselves at all times been seeking to follow. We know full well that the need for such a house-cleaning was no greater, and perhaps less, than in other main lines of business. But just in propor- tion as we place life insurance upon an eminence above ordinary lines of business in so far as we perceive its higher functions in the home and in society, so much the more do we rejoice in this mighty impulse, aroused within all companies at the same time, to make the institution progress still faster towards its own ideals. A GREAT REVIVAL WAVE. The effects already manifest are comparable to the effects of a great revival wave sweeping through the church. Every insurance man should get down on his knees in thankfulness for this great revival wave in life insurance, however much he may wish that it could have been brought about without the sensational agitation, the individual injustice, and the crying hardship to the dependents of many thousand timorous ones who were scared into dropping their policies. Much of this incidental injury is rapidly passing away, but the positive benefits of the revival are per- manent and far-reaching beyond calculation. The most threatening phase of the incidental injury lies in the direc- tion of well-meant but mistaken legislation. For if laws be enacted under the influence of indiscriminate clamor, they do not pass away of themselves as the agitation dies down; any mistakes in them produce evil effects of a much more permanent character — effects, moreover, which a subsequent repeal may discontinue, but cannot redress. While some of the laws that have already been enacted in New York are good, and others are harmless, some few of them have gone to an extreme that has failed of approval not only by well-informed insurance men, but also by all the other committees, conferences and legislatures that have since expressed themselves. The general sentiment as to legislation is steadily Decerning more conservative, and there is good reason to believe that the mistakes of the New York legislature will not be widely repeated in other states, and may soon be remedied in that state. Taking the whole situation as it stands, therefore, we can look ahead with hope and courage and good cheer. The people have had a gigan- tic object lesson as to the soundness of the life insurance system and its vast importance to society. More individuals need it today than ever before. The very fact of conditions having been so unsettled dur- ing the past eighteen months has held back the normal course of under- writing as a belated winter holds back the frozen water on the mountain slopes. The time is right here and now for a spring flood that will drown all high -water marks. There should be more people insured within the next two months than have been in any like period before. It all rests with us, brother agents — it all depends upon the spirit in which each of us individually throws himself into the work. The peo- ple have long since grown tired of the life insurance agitation; it only remains for us to forget it ourselves. The people need the insurance; we need the money — it is our move! If we move skilfully, avoiding past controversies, and steering clear of foolish competitions — if we 26 Seventeenth Annual Convention devote ourselves solely to making each man want the insurance he needs, and want it now — if we radiate enthusiasm for life insurance and its particular value to each man we canvass — that great insurance revival will not stop at reforms within, but will include a countless host of new converts from without. RECORD OF THE YEAR. It has been a wonderful year of activity, of unity of spirit, of high purpose and achievement among the associations generally. Upon the officers of the National Association has devolved an amount of work and responsibility that is wholly unprecedented in our history. I cannot speak too warmly of the earnest support and wise counsel which I have received from every one of the present officers and many of the former presidents and members of the Executive Committee. At least ten of them have made from* one to five journeys, covering many hundreds of miles, and consuming many days' time, in order to hold conferences among ourselves or to attend various meetings to which our Association was invited to send representatives. Secretary Clark, of course, has had the laboring oar throughout the year; a volume could be written of his untiring zeal and efficiency. Executive Chairman Cochran has been a tower of strength, while Vice-Presidents Benham, McMullen and Shedden, and former Presidents Plummer and Wyman, should also be singled out among the fifteen or more who have all rendered service far beyond the ordinary. It is true that no administration has had to meet as many unexpected and unprecedented situations; and it is also true that no administration has ever had such an amount of active co-opera- tion from all sides. Without such co-operation and counsel it would have been wholly impossible for your President to meet the exigencies of this critical year, and I desire to record here my deep sense of per- sonal obligation to each of these faithful and self-sacrificing co-workers. 