That there was an
abundance of the latter admits of no dispute. Possibly, we might not at
that time have been able to secure many of these valuable connections,
even if we had had the field force requisite for the required technical
work, for the reason that doubts were still expressed as to our ability
to fulfill our promises.
Duties of the Secretary
In the California Insurance Company office, the position of secretary
was closely akin to that of the celebrated "Pooh-Bah." Attached to the
office was the duty of collecting the assessments on the capital stock,
adjuster in chief, the underwriting, a court of appeal on technical
points in disputed settlements, a diplomatic agency and encouragement
dispensatory with and for the stockholders. The latter item took
considerable time. Singly and in groups they fired their questions: "How
many assessments will there be?" "How much do you think the losses will
total?" "How soon will you know the amount?" "When we do get out of this
shall we be as big as any other fire company or bigger?" This was the
daily grind. But since it was their money and they were laymen, their
anxiety was as pardonable as their courage was commendable.
The president occupied an office on the other side of the hail, directly
opposite mine.
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