" 4 Gradually the idea took root and grew. Year after year the Prudential added to its number of policy-holders. And all the time the company was working out a more liberal basis for its democratic idea. But each time a more liberal policy was offered, it was fully tested. "Progress with strength" is the way President Dryden describes the company's principle of growth-the results, clearly, of vision and prudence. At the end of ten years of this method of growth, the company reached the point where, it was believed, insurance could be safely offered for any amount with premiums payable on any plan, either in weekly installments longer periods. Within the five years, 1886 to 1890 inclusive, the company's assets increased nearly five-fold, from $1,040,816 to $5,084,895, and the amount of insurance in force from $40,266,445 to $139,163,654. 1 or at The Prudential had found itself. The idea of democratic insurance had been fully tested and adjusted to the needs. and conditions of the American people. Then, with a boldness which only large vision could have quickened, the plan was formed to make the Prudential's idea known in every section of the country. Gibraltar was chosen as the symbol of the company's strength, and advertising - the telling of the Prudential idea to the people was begun. The Prudential publicity is accompanied by wise promotion from a field force of over 12,000, some of whom have been with the company for over a quarter century, working in almost every State of the Union. They have the zeal of Crusaders, and it is kept at ardent pitch through an organization that could not fail to produce a wonderful, esprit de corps. Wise direction and constant encouragement come from the home office, and then the company's agents are grouped in districts, under superintendents and assistant superintendents, managers, general agents and special agents, and in each district a strong spirit of emulation is developed by human contact and coöpera A tion. Weekly meetings are held, and the problems of wisely presenting insurance are discussed. Comparative records of the men are kept in many districts, and prizes are offered for those writing the largest volume of business, for those making the greatest individual increase, and for many other contests. This wholesome rivalry produces an alertness and industry which are to the company an invaluable asset in human efficiency. A few weeks after this magazine appears, probably 2000 agents of the Prudential - those who have made the best records for the year --will be brought to Newark from all parts of the country. They will, of course, visit the home offices and come in contact with the directing centre of their wonderful organization. And, after all, there is no place where one feels the greatness of the Prudential quite so much as in the vast granite piles which have been raised for the company's home buildings. They rise above the Jersey meadows as Gibraltar does above the sea, a convincing witness, surely, to the growth and to the strength of the Prudential. But they are not a cold, gray rock, but a living organism throbbing from vital contact with millions of policy-holders. There are now four of these great buildings, all occupied by the company. To-day the Prudential is paying over 300 claims a day, or about forty each working hour. On many policies settlement is made within a few hours by the superintendent of the district; on the large policies a report is sent immediately to the home office and settlement authorized by telegraph. And on over 45 per cent. of the claims more money is paid than the policy calls for. From the beginning the Prudential has followed lines of great liberality, whether in dealing with the family where the policy is kept in the bureau drawer, or with the estate of the millionaire. It would be interesting to describe the broad activities that hum in the great buildings at Newark, but they would more than require an entire article themselves. So, too, with the equipment and furnishings of the buildings which, in the way of complete adjustment to their particular work, are probably unequaled in the world. For example, in the actuarial department is a card machine, invented by the actuary of the company, which can do all but think. But many of these things, in miniature, will be seen by the thousands who go to the World's Fair at St. Louis. They will find in the Prudential's exhibit in the Palace of Education a fine model of all the buildings, and also the fullest data concerning life insurance that have ever been brought together. But the last word about the Prudential is not told at any Exposition. It is found in the 5,500,000 policies which form a stupendous exhibit on the value of life insurance in developing thrift, safe investment, and home protection in a nation. Of course, such an exhibit could never have been possible if the Prudential had not worked out safe policies that would meet the broad needs of the American people. Herbert S. Houston. HOME OFFICES PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE CO. Newark, N. J. The Atlantic Monthly Advertiser Another Royal Tribute to the Pianola London, England, March 31, 1904. The Aeolian Company, New York: Gentlemen: I am gratified to inform you that we have received an order from His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales, for two Pianolas-one for himself and one for Her Majesty, Queen Alexandra. We have now supplied Pianolas to all the members of the Royal Family. Yours very truly, G. W. REED. English Royal Family, all of whom have purchased Pianolas It is interesting to know that every member of the English Royal Family has purchased a piano-player. It is significant that in every instance it has been a Pianola. The Pianola is the standard piano-player of the world. Its musical superiority is universally conceded by the greatest musicians of this country and Europe. Its mechanical excellence is everywhere recognized. It is the most scientifically designed and carefully constructed instrument of this type in the world. The Metrostyle Pianola, the popular model, costs $300. This is somewhat more than the price of other piano-players, but wherever it is a question of quality and not of price the Pianola is universally the instrument selected. The Aeolian Company Aeolian Hall, 362 Fifth Avenue, New York 4I |