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THE PRUDI TIAL'S S Handsome New Office Rapid Growth and Prosperity of the Company's Busi ness in This City-Its Standing and Prospects. Since the Prudential started business in this city its office has been located the corner of Seventh and Market streets, in the Exchange Building. Its rooms were thought to be ample and convenient enough for a long time, but the rapid increase in the company's business the past two years has oom pelled them to seek a larger place to accommodate their own force and their patrons. The place selected by the company's superintendent, Benj. Specht, Esq. of this city, is the second floor of No. 714 Market street, Hawkins & Co.'s build. ing, formerly occupied by the Mercantile Printing Company, an excellent place and centrally located. To say that Mr. Specht has displayed good taste and judgment in fitting up and furnishing the new office is stating It very mildly On seconding the short stairway on Market street and standing In the vest! bule, the visitor faces the finely fin'shed walnut doors, marked respectively for the different offices within. After passing through the waiting room and enter ing the superintendent's office, the first door on the right, we were shown handsomely furnished room with all the fixtures : and conveniences requisite to entertain those who called to see him on business or for a social chat after the duties of the day were over. We were then escorted through the different apartments. The first, and adjoining the superintendent's office, is the cash. ler's. Here is kept the safe and the company's supplies. The supplies are Paced in a series of ueatly arranged walnut drawers, so that in a moment any piece wanted can be found. This office is in charge of a genial and competent Cashier. In the next room to the left. which is the agent's room, were several busily en. gaged la making out and settling their weekly accounts. talking over the experiences and incidents of the day, all smiling and cheerful. This room is furulshed with several long tables and chairs. On the tables are spread the supplies end wr ting material for their use. The next apartment, which was used by the five assistant superintendonts, two of whom at that moment were engaged over the books and policies of claimants who liad just come in to receive the checks the company gives out when death occurs. The others were in. structing some new men in their duties, just starting out to collect and canvass, This room is fluely turuished with six polished oak desks, made in Chicago expressly for the superintendent. The walls celling of the different roome are neatly papered and bordered the wood work is in cherry and walnut. the whole carefully selected with view to afford as much light as possible, well as to give a pleasing and cheerful tone to the whole office. On returning to the superintendent's office on our way out we asked him about the company 5 standing and busi. ness here-in Wilmington. Waiting until he had directed a lady to one of the assistants relation to her policies and books, he said: The Prudential has a great number of policies in force in this city and State. We have a large number of agents and five assistant superintendents, with a constantly increasing business as time lvances. "Can every body Insure in this com pany, we inquired. We take any person, he said, "of sound health, male or female, from one to 70 years of age upon the payment of weekly premiums five cents and upwards. The death claims are paid promptly, usually within twenty four to forty-eight hours after occurs, affording relief when most needed. 'What class of people the mechanics and laboring men and their families mostly, or are they the business ineu that hold the greater number of the policies 'All classes, be re. plied, "insure in the Prudential It the pioneer in industrial Insurance in this country and all are treated alike providing they pay their premiums. The company business and assets, be said, had been increasing rapidly since its incorporation fourteen years ago, until on the first day of January last they were nearly four million dollars, with a surplus to policy holders of nearly one and half million. bas paid In death claims over five million dollars a now doing business in fourteen states of the Union. Hardly a day passes, said he. that we do not at this office ad Just one or more claims, and the people daily see more and more of the benefit derived from holding large small policy in the hour of bereavement when assistance and protection is need d without delay The future for the Prudential here and elsewhere is very bright Indeed. Other Banks Suspend. PHILADELPHIA, May -Following the crash of the Bank of America on Tues. day, and the Gloucester City National Bank on Thursday, came the suspension of the Fidelity Surety, Trust and Safe Deposit Company of Camden and the Merchants Bank of Atlantic City, with its brauches yesterday. Charles Work president of the Gloucester City Bank. was also president of the Fidelity Surety and Trust Company It was forced to close its doors owing to its supposed connection with the Gloucester Bank and the Bank of America. ruu was started on the Merchants Bauk of Atlantic City, and its Eimer. Egg Harbor, Pleasantville and Port Morris branches, by the impression that it was a part of the Work system, and they all closed their doors during the day. It seems that the Merchants has not been connected with the Work eyetem for a year except that the Bank of America was its correspondent in this city. The failure of these institutions cccastoned no Hurry on the street. The opluton in financial circles was that no other institutions would be affected. George F. Work, the backer of the Bank of America, has proposed a plan of the ac resumption which contem ceptance by the depositors of 10 per cent. cash, and note for six months for the other 90 per cent. o: their deposits. thinks the bank will be able to resuble
