gentlemen who are of high rank in their respective professions, deserve special mention for their careful, thorough and conscientious work in passing on the essays. The report of the committee of award is being prepared by the chairman, Mr. Dawson, and will follow later.

I desire to express my appreciation of the cordial and earnest co-operation of the other members of the prize essays committee in the work of our committee, which has been most pleasant and agreeable.

With personal regards and best wishes for a successful annual meeting at Hartford this month, I remain,

Yours very truly,

Charles E. Ady,

Chairman of Prize Essays Committee.

The rules governing the contest have been printed in the manual on former occasions and have been furnished to the committee of award and their decision given in accordance therewith.

The report of the committee on statistics has been made by its chairman, Mr. J. W. Iredell, Jr. The same is in printed form as usual and will be distributed for the benefit of members at this convention. Your earnest attention is invited to said report.

One of the most valuable and interesting publications for the benefit of the members of this and the local associations, is the report of the committee upon statistics. Its preparation involves a great deal of time and labor. It enables us to see at a glance the condition of each association, while it gives a complete record of the important events of the past. The committee, however, labors under great difficulty, for the reason that the secretaries of some associations do not supply the needed information as early as is desired, which necessarily embarrasses the committee as convention time draws near. The executive committee earnestly urge that hereafter the reports from the various associations to this committee be not delayed.

The committee upon transportation, through its chairman, Mr. J. W. Fitzpatrick, performed its duties in a most satisfactory manner. As a consequence all delegates to this convention are entitled to tickets at a cost of one and one-third fare.

The following resolution from the executive committee was adopted by the association at the convention last year:

Resolved, That a committee of three, of which H. H. Ward shall be chairman, be appointed by the chair to formulate a plan to increase the efficiency of the National Association, with power to raise funds to carry out such plans; such committee to act in conjunction with the president and chairman of the executive committee and to report to that committee.

The committee consisted of H. H. Ward, Cleveland; W. D. Wyman, Chicago; Richard E. Cochran, New York; John Dolph, Cincinnati, and E. H. Plummer, Philadelphia. President Ward's idea of a salaried organizer was abandoned, and in its place it was proposed that the president of the National Association should personally supervise the work, and should delegate the details to the three vice-presidents. The general plan embraced an effort to increase the membership among existing associations as well as missionary work in new places, the latter work to be handled by the president and vice-presidents, and the former very largely by the local associations themselves.

As a result of this movement subscriptions were received from the following associations, namely, Baltimore, $100; Chicago, $250; Philadelphia, $200; New Hampshire, $10; Connecticut, $60; Western Massachusetts, $25; New York, $250; Indiana, $25; Pittsburg, $50; Cincinnati, $100; St. Louis, $110; Springfield, Mass., $25; Toledo, $100; Boston, $200; Cleveland, $100; total $1,605. Amount already paid to the treasurer $1,180.

In their effort to increase the efficiency of the association the officers have taken up the work in a manner perhaps not contemplated when they were chosen to office. President Dolph and Vice-President Van Sickle have been actively engaged throughout the year and have performed their duties free of expense to the association, contributing of their time and means cheerfully in behalf of the cause.

That there will be ample opportunity to use such a fund for the good of the association, is amply set forth in the president's address and the executive committee would recommend, if agreeable to the various associa

tions who have subscribed, that the subscriptions should all be collected and the fund placed to the credit of the association for such use as experience dictates, subject to direction by the executive committee. That the fund will be used judiciously by those to whom it will be entrusted, there can be no doubt.

During the past year the office of secretary has been an exceedingly busy one, made so by the energy and earnestness with which Mr. Clark has performed his duties. He has organized the work and instituted such an excellent system that the entire association movement is receiving an impetus because of his splendid efforts. This he has done practically at his own expense, but we are sure the association would not have this continue. We, therefore, recommend that the sum of $50 per month be appropriated for an assistant to the secretary, said sum to be used as in the judgment of the secretary seems best.

The committee upon local associations, of which Mr. J. D. Boushall is chairman, has largely confined its work in endeavoring to organize local associations throughout the South. An interest in connection with local associations has been created in Oklahoma City, Montgomery Ala., Macon, Ga., Columbia, Tenn., and while they report no associations organized in these sections at this meeting, nevertheless, they indulge the hope that the national body will soon have some strong southern associations in its membership.

The National Association is now sixteen years old. It came into existence through an almost spontaneous movement from the great body of honorable life insurance agents throughout the country. From the day of its organization to the present time, it has been well and successfully managed, and those who have been honored in being chosen to office have been willing to give of their time and means for the benefit of the association.

Reference is frequently made to the sacrifice of time which must be made if the work is to be carried forward successfully. To be chosen an officer of this association is an honor which should not be regarded lightly. True, its duties and responsibilities require much time, labor and thought, but such honors are worth all that they cost.

It is a noble cause in the interest of the business in which we are engaged. Surely we owe something to our day and generation and the business which we represent. Selfishness has no place in such work as this. It calls for men of large and liberal mold, who appreciate that it is not what we do for ourselves, but what we do for others that makes the world go right.

As we are practically electing new officers each year, it would seem that men should be willing to give a portion of their time in the interest of an association which means so much to their own business and those connected with it. The distinction they receive and the confidence reposed in them by their associates and fellow-workers in calling them to office is an honor not to be undervalued.

As heretofore, it is recommended that the National Association continue to assume the publication and sale of the proceedings of the annual convention. This book has become a necessity, and as it increases in size, it also increases in value and interest. No member of an underwriters' association should be without a copy each year. Indeed, every man engaged in the business of life insurance would profit by having the book, and all who can should have a complete set. Delegates to this convention are urged to subscribe for the book, and it is hoped that each association will see that a sufficient number is ordered to make its publication and sale a success.

This association has never failed in giving due recognition to the great interest which the insurance press has always manifested in both the local and national associations, as well as what they have done and are now doing in behalf of life insurance. If possible, we want to emphasize this more strongly than ever upon this occasion. To speak plainly they have become a part of our organization and we look to their columns to successfully promulgate our work. Their willingness to cooperate with us and the cheerfulness with which they give notices of everything of interest that transpires, as well as to publish our proceedings from time to time, is much appreciated and their presence at our conventions gives added pleasure and satisfaction to all. We value their friendship and assistance, and extend to them our cordial greeting.

On this anniversary occasion, it is well to indulge in a little retrospect. No movement in connection with life insurance has been productive of so much good to the companies and agents alike as the local and national associations. These associations were not organized for the purpose of dictation, or for hasty and inconsiderate action, nor as an attempt to interfere with, or reform those things which do not properly belong to them, but for co-operation, mutual acquaintance, a knowledge of each other, which in themselves, when honest motives prevail, develop a sentiment, which will eliminate existing evils and prevent the growth of new ones. That what was hoped for in this respect is gradually becoming accomplished must be apparent to all who have watched the results of friendly intercourse and united action. In each association there exists a confidence and respect among the members that is both manly and sincere. Competition has become more dignified and honorable, and agents everywhere that are under the influence of these associations, have a higher appreciation of each others' rights and give due recognition to them. Let me briefly illustrate: When this association came into existence, the extreme heat of competition and the methods employed in the procurement of business had developed a condition which showed an absolute lack of confidence in each other. We were impressed with the idea that no life insurance company was worthy of confidence, except the one we individually represented. A system of bitter and malicious attacks upon companies was frequently indulged in, and no company was allowed to escape. Misleading and deceptive literature was freely sought and as freely used, and so we might go on reciting instances, like these of which you are all familiar, as a result of the old methods and practices, borne of ignorance, prejudice and a lack of honorable manhood.

Sixteen years have elapsed and look at the situation today. Almost every representative of a regular company is a member of these associations and enjoying the confidence of his brother agents. The most friendly relations exist and a spirit of fellowship is manifest on every hand. If we compare the ethics of this business with that of any other it would be difficult to find a body of business men who in daily rivalry, speak so favorably