Pittsburg, 17; Philadelphia, 29, which would indicate that certain companies are not interested in association work.

A majority of the reports show a good degree of interest manifested in the work. A few secretaries report that the interest is "fair," and some report that very little interest is manifested and few meetings are held. If, under these conditions, the gains above referred to were made, what might be accomplished if every agent would become an active and enthusiastic member of local associations.

It may be interesting to know the time of meetings of the various associations. In a majority of cases the evening appears to be preferred, most meetings being held at from 5:30 to 6:30 p. m. A number of associations have meetings at noon, and a few early in the afternoon, while some have both noon and evening meetings.

We quote below answers to some of the questions contained in the reports of the local associations:

Question No. 8.-Has any law been enacted in your state during the past year on life insurance?

North Carolina.-One requiring home companies to deposit securities with insurance commissioner, and insurance commissioner to register all policies.

Question No. 9.-Have there been any legal proceedings of importance in your state bearing in any way on life insurance interests?

Indiana.-Access has just recently been refused by state auditor to the statements of the state companies on file in his office.

Minneapolis.-Understand insurance commissioner is now considering the legality of board contracts.

St. Louis.-Case of Westerman vs. Endowment Rank, K. of P., in which Missouri supreme court ruled that the non-forfeiture statutes applying to regular life companies apply also to assessment and fraternal. Motion for rehearing is pending.

Question No. 10.-Has your association passed resolutions or taken any action during the past year which you deem of interest to this committee?

Baltimore."Modified by-laws, so as to admit as associate members solicitors and others connected with life insurance interests."

Birmingham.-"Resolution passed May 1, 1905, "That the members of this association will discourage all attempts on the part of their agents to 'twist' or otherwise interfere with the policies in the Equitable Life, or in any manner take advantage of the present unfortunate trouble of that company. Furthermore, the members of this association will decline to receive applications where it is clearly shown that the policy applied for is to supplant an Equitable Life policy."

Dayton. To publish list of all members of the association regularly, as suggested by the National Association." Western Massachusetts "Have been issuing to members certificates of membership, also advertising in the daily papers a list of members in good standing.

Minneapolis "Admit only representatives of legal reserve companies not placing new business on preliminary term first year or operating expenses through a subsidiary agency company."

New Hampshire.-"Fought adverse legislation."

North Carolina.-"Resolution was passed that appointed a committee to look into the advisability of requesting national instead of state supervision of insurance companies.'

Cleveland.-"A resolution was passed that a lawyer be retained for one year, without a retainer fee, to investigate all reported cases of rebating and unlicensed agents. We have a fund of $355 for this work, called the antirebate fund.

Note. The insurance commissioner of Ohio has revoked many licenses during the last two years, on account of agents rebating premiums.

We believe that if more attention was given to answers to the above questions, much valuable information would be secured.

Referring to the tabulated report, a great diversity of answers will be noted to the question-"Do the members of your association observe the (anti-rebate) law?" None has come out boldly and answered "No," but the majority of reports give very indefinite answers, which would appear to be an indication that the rebaters are not all dead. A number of associations report. "No law," showing that there is work to be done by said associations in having an anti-rebate law passed by the

legislatures, and, what is more important, enforced. There is no doubt but what this great question would be practically solved if the existing anti-rebate laws were enforced against the rebating persons.

We have again included in our report extracts from the late Col. C. M. Ransom's historical paper, read at Milwaukee, September, 1897, entitled, "Origin and Growth, Present and Future of Life Underwriters' Associations," also the chronological record of our association, which we believe, will be interesting reading to those who are not subscribers for the annual reports. Respectfully submitted,

J. W. IREDELL, JR.,
JAMES C. BIGGERT,
L. D. WILKES,

J. S. KENDRICK.

HISTORICAL.

Extract from Col. C. M. Ransom's paper, read at Milwaukee, September, 1897. Origin and Growth, Present and Future, of Life Underwriters' Associations.

I cannot better introduce my remarks than by saying that the first life underwriters' association was organized in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1872, at my instigation, as stated in the Cincinnati Enquirer in a report of a banquet extended to the executive committee of the National Association of Life Underwriters by the Cincinnati Association, on April 22, 1897. The idea of association among life agents was first suggested to me in 1870 by the demoralized condition of the agency business in Cincinnati and elsewhere. It was not until 1872, however, that the efforts expended in trying to induce agents to organize were successful. During that year the agents of Cincinnati, realizing that something should be done to overcome demoralization, got together and launched the Cincinnati Association of Life Underwriters. As stated above, this association was the first of its kind, and in its initiatory stages bid fair to be productive of much good to the business of life insurance. Later in that year the example of the Cincinnati agents was followed by Cleveland agents, and the Life Underwriters' Association of Cleveland was formed.

In 1873 the two associations consolidated under the name of The Ohio Association, and existed until 1876.

In April, 1873, an association was organized at St. Joseph, Mo., called The Life Underwriters Association of St Joseph, Northwestern Missouri, and Donipan County, Kansas. This association existed for only a short time.

For the facts in connection with this early record, I have refreshed my memory by reference to the files of the Baltimore Underwriter, which was then published by the firm of Bombaugh & Ransom.

The National Association of Life Underwriters-Chronological Record of Events.

1890.-June 18, 19. National Association of Life Underwriters organized at Parker House, Boston, with fourteen associations as members, viz: Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Nebraska, New York, Western New York, Maine, Michigan, New Hampshire, Philadelphia, Pittsburg, Providence and Vermont. C. M. Ransom, honorary member. Officers elected: President, George N. Carpenter; secretary, E. H. Plummer; treasurer, William Ratcliffe; chairman of executive committee, Ben S. Calef. Thursday evening-Complimentary dinner by the Boston Association at the Parker House, D. N. Holway presiding.

October 28. Meeting of the executive committee at Hotel Brunswick, New York; eighteen present. Banquet in honor of the committee by the New York Association at Delmonico's. The following associations were admitted to membership during the year 1890-91: Cincinnati, Connecticut, Indiana, Kansas City, District of Columbia, the Carolinas, Minnesota, and Wisconsin-8. 1891.-March 28. Meeting of the executive committee at Hotel Rennert, Baltimore; eleven present. Banquet in honor of the committee by Baltimore Association at Merchants Club.

June 16. Delegates en route to annual convention at Detroit entertained by the Cleveland Association.

June 17, 18. Second annual convention at Hotel Cadillac, Detroit, President George N. Carpenter presiding. Papers by George P. Haskell and Charles H. Ferguson. Officers elected: President, Charles H. Raymond; secretary, E. H. Plummer; treasurer, William Ratcliffe; chairman of executive committee, C. E. Tillinghast. Thursday evening-Banquet at Hotel Cadillac by the Michigan Association, W. T. Gage presiding.

October 28, 29. Meeting of executive committee at Hotel Brunswick, New York; nineteen present. Banquet by New York Association, evening of the 29th, at Delmonico's. The following associations admitted to membership during the year 1891-92: Kentucky, New Jersey, Kansas, Eastern New York, Louisiana, Tennessee, Alabama and Texas-7.

1892.-May 25, 26. Meeting of executive committee at Hotel Wellington, Chicago; fifteen present. Banquet by Chicago Association, evening of 26th, at Hotel Wellington. September 21, 22, 23. Third annual convention at Carnegie Music Hall, New York, President Charles H. Raymond presiding. Papers by George N. Carpenter and Joseph Ashbrook. Officers elected: President, C. E. Tillinghast; secretary, E. H. Plummer; treasurer, William Ratcliffe; chairman of executive committee, Ben S. Calef. Friday evening-Banquet by New York Assotion at Delmonico's, Tilden Blodgett presiding. The following associations admitted to membership during the year 1892-93: Georgia, Iowa and Virginia-3.

1893.-April 5, 6. Meeting of the executive committee, Continental Hotel, Philadelphia; fourteen present. Banquet given by the Philadelphia Association April 6 at the Continental Hotel.

September 5. Meeting of the executive committee at Hollenden Hotel, Cleveland; thirteen present.

September 6, 7, 8. Fourth annual convention at Chamber of Commerce assembly rooms, Cleveland, President C. E. Tillinghast presiding. Papers by Henry W. Smith, editor United States Review, and C. E. Staniels. Officers elected: President, Charles H. Ferguson; secretary, E. H. Plummer; treasurer, William Ratcliffe; chairman of executive committee, George P. Haskell. Banquet by the Cleveland Association, evening of September 8, at the Hollenden Hotel, F. A. Kendall presiding. The following associations, by reports to date, admitted to membership during the year 1893-94: Alabama, Denver, District of Columbia, Tennessee and Topeka―5.

1894.-March 14, 15. Meeting of executive committee at Monongahela House, Pittsburg; fourteen present. Banquet by the Pittsburg Association on evening of March 15 at Monongahela House.

June 20, 21, 22. Fifth annual convention at Recital