Stillman, Alfred: In March appointed manager of the Orient for the Pacific coast, resigning from the Pacific insurance union in order to accept the new position. Resignation became operative April 1.

Stokes, Henry B.: Elected president of the Manhattan Life insurance company of New York June 10, succeeding James M. McLean, deceased.

State Supervision of Insurance. [See organization of and reports of insurance departments under titles of the various states. Also list of officials under title Insurance Officials of States and Territories."] St. John, H. W., actuary of the Etna Life insurance company, second vice-president of the Actuarial Society of America. [See Actuarial Society.]

St. Paul German Accident company: Organized at Minneapolis, Minnesota, in March. John H. Drake, president; J. Q. Hass, vicepresident, and G. F. Sabine, secretary. Authorized by charter to engage in casualty, steam boiler, plate glass, and surety insurance.

Sun Life insurance company of America, organized at Louisville, Ky., July 1, capital being $100,000. Ex-Congressman Albert L. Willis of Louisville elected president, M. W. Adams, vice-president and manager; George H. Lake, secretary. Messrs. Adams and Lake were formerly general agents of the Prudential of Newark, in Kentucky, the former organizing the company's business in that state. The Sun Life insurance company was organized for carrying on industrial insurance.

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Telegraph and Telephone Wires: The report of John S. Alfred, electrician of the Southeastern Tariff association, which was presented at the annual meeting in Washington, April 10, reviewed in full the relation of these wires to those of the electric light, the different systems having been made the subject of careful inspection during the year. In this report the electrician says: "These examinations convince me that some step should be taken to remove a danger that is daily becoming more and more threatening, that is, the danger from fire by reason of the telephone and telegraph wires becoming crossed with electric light wires. Telephone and telegraph wires, from their peculiar construction (earth circuits), are free conductors for all currents; they will rob the wires of the hotel annunciator just as quick as they will those of the electric light; they will endeavor to accommodate a current of 5 volts and try to make room for one of 2,500. This last generally results in an accident. Telegraph wires are limited in their character, comparatively few in number and generally concentrated at one or two points in a city. Telephone wires are unlimited, almost innumerable, and found everywhere. The possibility of fire exists in every house where a telephone is placed, in every city or town where electric lights are used. Rules and regulations are prescribed governing every detail of electric light construction; rigid inspections are made to see that they are faithfully observed, yet the use of instruments and appliances that virtually nullify all these rules

and requirements is permitted without hindrance or objection. The electric light is being daily improved by the adoption of new devices and appliances, most of which bear solely upon the matter of increased safety, both to life and property. Many of these improvements have been made simply because the underwriters' regulations compelled their use. The same inventive skill and genius which gave the telegraph and the telephone can be relied upon to devise a means for their proper protection. The time must come, and in the very near future, when those interested in the telephone and telegraph will be compelled, if not by the insurance interests, by their own interests, and for the protection of their property, to use such appliances as will remove any element of danger and make the use of their instruments safe at all times and in all places."

Tennessee: The treasurer of state performs the duties of insurance commissioner in Tennessee, the term of office being for two years. He is elected by the legislature. The salary for the performance of the commissioner's work is $500 per annum and commissions. The term begins January 15. The present incumbent of the office is M. F. House, the assistant being W. H. Simonton.

Term Business: The subject of term business was discussed at length by President Heald of the National Board of Fire Underwriters at the annual meeting in May. With regard to the year, he said: "The two-year risks have fallen off nearly twelve millions of dollars, and the average rate has been increased from .7546 to .7894. The three-year risks show a decided increase of nearly four hundred million dollars, with a decrease in average rates from .8867 to .8847. The fouryear risks have increased over seven millions, with a decrease in the average rate from .9528 to .9264. The five-year risks have increased over one hundred and thirty-eight millions, with a decrease in the average rate from 1.2331 to 1.2227. It is worthy of notice that the term business equals twenty-seven per cent. of the amount of risk written and twenty-four per cent. of the premiums received during the year 1889. It should also be noticed that the term risks taken in 1889, with the exception of those of two years, are at a marked reduction in rate from that obtained on the risks that have severally run off during the year; a lower rate on a larger risk has taken the place of a higher rate on a lesser risk; certainly these facts are worthy of consideration, and should lead to a return to a correct formula, and an increased annual rate as the basis of that formula. Unless an advance can be had, the time is not far distant," argued Mr. Heald, when the losses coming from this enormous term business put upon the books at totally inadequate rates will far exceed the legal reserve held against such losses and the unearned reserve instead of yielding an ultimate profit as risks run off will become a source of positive loss; in other words, wholly insufficient to meet the actual loss on such business. There were $1,835,000,000 more of five-year risks in force at the close of 1889 than at the close of 1877, and at a reduced average rate of twenty-three cents on each $100, or over $5,000,000 less premiums than should have been received if the 1877 rate had been obtained. Of the grand total of risks in force at the close of 1877, twenty-nine per cent. were term risks, while at the close of 1889 the term risks formed fifty-three per cent. of

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the grand total. This fact," President Heald held, "portends no good for the future. The general drift the past year in term risks has fortunately been in the direction of three years as against five, and is a step toward retrieval of past mistakes."

Texas: The office of insurance commissioner in Texas is involved with that of the commissioner of agriculture, statistics, and history, and is for the term of two years. The appointment is made by the governor, subject to confirmation by the senate. The annual salary is $2,000. A chief clerk is appointed by the commissioner at an annual compensation of $1,800, the term of office being for two years, or during the pleasure of the commissioner. L. L. Foster having resigned, the chief clerk, John E. Hollingsworth, has been appointed in his place. The commissioner has power to appoint a deputy for special examinations.

Texas Insurance Report: The report of the commissioner of agriculture, insurance, statistics, and history in Texas, relating to insurance, was issued July, 1890. The receipts of the insurance department for the year were $30,581, of this amount $15,299.98 being in taxes from fire companies, and $5,625 from life. The fees from fire companies amounted to $7,964. Nineteen additional companies were admitted during the year, making a total of 107 engaged in business. "Two causes," observed the commissioner, have induced these companies to enter the state. First, the past two years have been the most profitable to the companies in the history of the state, and second, the rapid growth of our cities and towns and the general advancement of the state renders it prospectively the finest field in the south for the insurance business." The state was entirely free from wildcat schemes of insurance, and very few cases of violation of the insurance laws occurred during the year.

Thompson, George W., superintendent of agencies for the New England Mutual Life, died at St. Paul, Minnesota, April 23.

Todd, William M., deputy insurance commissioner of Minnesota, appointed superintendent of agencies for the St. Paul German Accident insurance company in June.

Topeka insurance company of Kansas, authority revoked November 20, 1889, by Insurance Commissioner Wilder; President Hines and Secretary Fuller held for trial in February, charged with making false returns to the commissioner; Fuller arrested February 8, charged with perjury, the company meanwhile passing into the hands of a receiver. The latter was authorized by the court to recover from the officers of the company for the benefit of the policy-holders, the amounts which it was claimed had been paid members of the legislature et al., for influencing legislation."

Underwriters' Association of New York state: The Underwriters' association of New York state was organized in 1883, the original president being J. H. Van Buren. A. H. Wray was the first secretary. The vice-presidents were A. M. Burtis and Ŏ. W. Palmer. The executive committee was composed of Messrs. J. W. Barley, H. A. Glassford, A. C. Bayne, C. F. Paige, and Thomas Turnbull. W. J. Frederick was elected secretary in July, 1885, and has since held that position. Article II of the constitution, designating the object of

the association, is as follows: "The object of the association shall be the systematic interchange of information, and co-operation among field men, and the organizing of local boards and making rates. Stated meetings shall be held at such times and places as shall be designated by the association." Section 9 of the by-laws provides: "Membership in the association shall cease when a member changes his occupation so as not to have charge of the field-work of any fire insurance company in this state, or when the company he represents does not contribute its quota toward meeting the expenses of the association, or for nonpayment of dues for three months, or for creating or attempting to create, or for fostering any prejudice against this association or any member thereof." The present officers of the association are: President, John L. Kendig; vice-presidents, T. E. Gallagher, C. L. Hedge; treasurer, L. S. Morgan; executive committee, J. M. Carothers, chairman, I. H. Lindsley, A. W. Selkirk, C. H. Hollister, J. J. Babcock; secretary, W. J. Frederick, 97 Everson Building, Syracuse, New York. [See Farm Risks. See New York State association.]

Underwriters' Fire Patrol of San Francisco has two stations, the headquarters being at Nos. 166 and 168 Jessie street. Station No. 2 is located at the corner of Eddy and Polk streets. The officers and directors are: President, Charles A. Laton; vice-president, J. Scott Wilson; secretary and treasurer, Rudolph Herold, Jr.; directors, Messrs. I. Gutte, William Macdonald, D. E. Miles, J. Scott Wilson, J. W. G. Cofran, Rudolph Herold, Jr., and Charles A. Laton.

Underwriters' Salvage Corps of St. Louis was organized July 4, 1874. December 12, 1887, a second station was established. The present equipment comprises 448 covers, 360 of the number being in the custody of Corps No. 1, 7 horses, six vehicles, including one double wagon, 16 permanent men. James Butler is the captain and Amos Murphy the lieutenant of Corps No. 1; C. C. Gallagher, captain, and Adolph Hunt, lieutenant, of No. 2. The office of chief is held by Charles Evans. The statement of No. 1's service during 1890 is as follows:

Corps No. 2 attended 165 alarms, served 138 hours, spread 637 covers, used 14 roof covers and 32 extinguishers during the year. The number of fires extinguished by the corps was 9. The statistics relating to the work and service of the original corps since its organization, July 4, 1874, until December 3, 1890, are appended :

The salaries paid by the department during the year amounted to $19,222, total expenses $23,499. The executive committee for the year representing the board of fire underwriters in the management consisted of Messrs. George T. Cram, John R. Triplett, E Peugnet, Paul Robyn, and C. F. Miller.

Uniform Fire Insurance Policies. [See Fire Insurance Policy.] United Fire Re-insurance of Manchester, England: Chauncey M. Depew appointed in June one of the trustees for the United States department.

Union Mutual Fire insurance company of Cincinnati: Quo warranto proceedings instituted in the Ohio supreme court December 11, to effect the revocation of the company's charter on the ground of irregularities in its management. The Union Mutual was incorporated June 30, 1887, and commenced business October 1, 1888. William J. Breed was President and Ed. H. Williams, secretary.

Union of San Francisco: Withdrawal in May from all of its Eastern agencies, except New York metropolitan district and Boston. Business outside of these points allowed to run to completion.

Utah: There is no provision under the statutes of Utah for the appointment of an insurance commissioner, the secretary of the territory being charged with the duties of supervision. The insurance companies file their annual statements with him, certified copies of which are