Turning of the Tide



Finally the tide turned. Several months had elapsed, however, before it
became generally known and admitted and the insurance world had hammered
into it the conviction that the California was truly "Californian." At
this time our field men were again in the saddle and the agency of the
California was not only readily accepted whenever offered, but eagerly
pleaded for by connections which materially contributed to subsequent
success.



Adjustments



There are millions of stories with regard to the adjustment and
settlement of claims during this period. All kinds of pressure, all
kinds of seduction and all kinds of bribes were offered the adjusters.
There appeared to be in the minds of many a conviction that this was the
time to make a claim against the insurance companies; that everything
was burned and that with the upset conditions any old claim could get
by. Stevedores, laborers and others not generally credited with an
excess amount of worldly wealth gayly and festively swore to proofs
showing the loss of family plate, ancestral pictures, silk underwear,
ball gowns, evening clothes and jewels. There was no possibility of
disciplining these perjurors and it was up to the expertness of the
adjusters to defend their companies from being looted.