TOPICS. STEPHEN F. WOODMAN, Boston, Mass. GEORGE A. BRINKERHOFF, New York. PRIZE ESSAYS. CHARLES E. ADY, Omaha, Neb. CREDENTIALS. DR. S. L. FULLER, Chicago, Ill. FRED W. TASNEY, Newark, N. J. JOHN F. HUNTSMAN, Providence, R. I. TRANSPORTATION. J. W. FITZPATRICK, Portland, Me. W. H. JOYCE, Buffalo, N. Y. MARCELLUS H. GOODRICH, Baltimore, Md. L. B. HALL, Grand Rapids, Mich. THE PRESS. GEORGE A. CANTINE, Newburgh, N. Y. NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LIFE UNDERWRITERS. The fourteenth annual convention of the National Association of Life Underwriters was held in Baltimore, beginning on Tuesday Oct. 13, and continuing three days. The headquarters of the association were at the Hotel Rennert, where the executive committee met on Monday evening. The convention assembled in the hall of the Young Men's Christian Association building, almost opposite the hotel, on Tuesday morning, delegates to the number of about one hundred and fifty being present. The papers read were excellent, and the entertainment by the local association was of the best. The distribution of prizes occupied considerable time and the papers submitted in competition for the Calef loving cup, Ben Williams vase and the $25 in gold offered by Col. John W. Vrooman were of an unusually high order. Philip H. Farley in his admirable address as president before the convention reviewed the events of the year, noting the organization of several new associations and his personal visitation of twenty-six, thus giving the delegates an idea of the vast amount of time and strength consumed in filling acceptably the office of president of the National body. The election of Hubert H. Ward as president, J. Herman Ireland, Danford M. Baker and John H. Quinlan as vicepresidents, brings to those offices comparatively untried men in National association work. Possessed, however, as they are of tact, enthusiasm and aptitude for work, as evidenced in their efforts for their local associations, the new administration is expected to prove most successful. FIRST DAY'S PROCEEDINGS. MORNING SESSION. The first session of the convention was called to order by President Philip H. Farley at 9.50 a. m. President Farley-I would ask the ex-presidents of the association to kindly step to the platform and take their chairs. Our proceedings will be opened by prayer by Dr. Edwin B. Niver, D. D., rector of Christ's church, Baltimore. Will the assemblage please rise? The convention then rose while Dr. Niver offered the · following prayers: Let us pray: Direct us, oh Lord, in all our things, with Thy most gracious favor, and further us with Thy continual help, that in all our workings, begun, continued and ended in Thee, we may glorify Thy holy name, and finally by Thy mercy obtain everlasting life, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen. Almighty God, whose kingdom is everlasting and power infinite, have mercy upon this whole land, and so rule the hearts of Thy servants, the President of the United States, the governor of this state, the mayor of this city, and all others in authority, that they, knowing whose ministers they are may, above all things, seek Thy honor and glory, and that we and all people, duly considering whose authority they bear, may faithfully and obediently honor them in all and for all, according to Thy blessed word and ordinance, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who, with Thee and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth ever one God, world without end, Amen. Oh, God, who ordereth all things, both in heaven and earth, grant that every man, according to the business which he hath undertaken among the sons of men, may know that he is Thy servant therein, and whatsoever his hand findeth to do, may do it in Thy service and to Thy glory. More especially we pray for Thy blessing on this convention here assembled, that its members may have a constant sense of obligation to Thee as well as to their fellows, and that the best interests which they represent may ever set forward the welfare and the happiness of all mankind. Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven; give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil, for Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever, Amen. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all ever more, Amen. President Farley-It is unnecessary to state the pleasure we experience in assembling in this historic city of Baltimore. To exalt its virtues or to recall the noble and stirring events which have marked it in history would be superfluous. We will, however, be honored by an address of welcome from the mayor, who is better competent and able to tell us of this great and hospitable city wherein we are convening, and it affords me very great pleasure to present to the convention Hon. Robert M. McLane, mayor of Baltimore. [Applause.] Mayor McLane-I was afraid, at the last moment, gentlemen, that I should be unable to have the pleasure of welcoming you here to Baltimore, on account of a very severe cold from which I have been suffering. I am happy to say I have got it under sufficiently to enable me to come here this morning and extend to you a most cordial welcome to the city of Baltimore. I am very glad, indeed, to know that this convention is being held here, representing interests as great as those which we know are the interests of insurance companies throughout this country. There is nothing that has taken such a tremendous growth within the last few years as the insurance companies throughout this country. And they have not only extended throughout our own land, but they have reached out and extended their operations practically throughout the civilized world. But while extending in that way, they have |