364 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



The proposed purpose of the organization of a national insurance com- 

 piiny to l)e known as the "National Underwriters" brought out a lively 

 discussion. A motion that the National xVssociation extend a vote of en- 

 couragement to the movement was carried. 



The object of the organization of the National Underwriters is es- 

 pecially directed to the interests of small companies, many of Avhich have 

 a limit to the amount of their policies which necessitates taking additional 

 insni':iiu'(> with stock companies, a procedure that generally works evil 

 Mild evil influences and impressions against mutual companies. In case 

 M policy is greater than a small company desires to carry the insured 

 may take additional insurance in the National Underwriters, and by this 

 means do not become antagonized with and by stock companies. This is 

 more likely to exist in town mutuals where much of the insurance is 

 taken in blocks, so to speak, of Ave, ten or twenty thousand dollars. In 

 a State like Indiana, where we have no state companies, but many com- 

 |)ani('S of one and two counties, the National Underwriters would be of 

 excellent service in assisting us in large risks, and by this means holding 

 all that we can to the interest of our mutual system. I desire to state, 

 however, that this National Underwriters is not organized by the National 

 Association, but that the movement having been started by men who saw 

 the necessity and advantage of it, they have only asked the endorsement, 

 and a word of encouragement from the National Association, which was 

 given bj' a decided vote. 



The National Legislative Committee was enlarged by the appointment 

 of a member from each State. Judge E. M. Coflin of Lincoln, Neb., is 

 chairman of that committee. By the appointment of a member from each 

 State it enables the chairman to more readily get at the facts and needs 

 of the various States in matters pertaining to needed legislation. Mr. R. 

 A. Kirkman of Pendleton, Ind., who is the present secretary of the Farm- 

 ei's" Mutual Company of Madison County, was designated as the man to 

 represent Indiana on that committee. 



I Avish to repeat the suggestion I offered in your meeting last year, 

 that the State Legislative Coinmitfee appointed by this body work in 

 unison Willi the national committee, as we can get very much assistance 

 from that source. The fact that the State committee is strengthened and 

 supported by the assistance of the national body will add much weight in 

 llie influence we may have in the Legislature, and besides we should en- 

 deavor to get laws that govern mutual insurance as uearlj' uniform in the 

 various States as is possible, and in doing this we greatly need the advice, 

 influence and council of those Avho are working to that end. I desire in 

 tills connection to read to you from article VI, section 4, of the constitu- 

 tion, and also the Veport of Judge E. M. Coflin, national chairman, at the 

 Topeka meeting. 



As a matter of protection against the operation of fraudulent com- 

 panies assuming to be mutual, a resolution was passed creating what is 



