The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-01-22

Work For tho Insurance Committees.
One OF the Decssstiss of every properly
equipped State Legislature are COMMITTEES
on insurance. That being an evident fact
it is perhaps no more than right that some
business should be found for the committees
B lis ought to be prepared bearing upon in
suraDce, II only that the committees may
have the satisfaction Of killing them. Tnis
solemn truth was perhaps In the mind OF
Mr.. Bailey, Iho was on hand SO early with
his little insurance measure this session that
it was among the fret ten bills introduced
in the Indiana Senate. He knew there was
Senate Comm on Insurance aud de-
termined they should have something to do
right away. If nothing more than to strange
bis proposed enactment.
Mr.. Bailey wishes all insurance compa-
MES. or rather his bill indicates such a wish,
compelled If sued at law on a policy and
defeated, 10 pay the policy with legal inter
est from the time payment ought to have
been made, aid TOPPER cent. extra damages
for haYing had the temerity to contest the
claim at all. The measure applies to both
life and fire companies.
OF course, IL man burns up his property
and the insurance company fails 10 fully fix
n
party, and the whole amount of his policy,
WITH legal interest and 10 per cent. on top of
the whole TO help pay his attorney, is IS lit
tie as he could reasonably be asked TO take.
Or, II he deliberately plots to defraud life
insurance company. and the managers there.
of do not quite make the crime stick, what
could be JsiTer than 10 mulcet all the other
policy holders enough to pay his claim with
that nice chunk of iute rest and 10 per cent
damages2 To be sure, 1t is easily shown that
LIE Insurance companies contest policies
bat very little; preferring afmos. 90 submit
to al imposition if it is case at all doubt
full, Paying out thousands of dollars daily
to the families o. deceased policy holders,
aud resisting only when the fraud is appar-
ertly so bsrefaced that it would be wicked
to do otherwise. Bat that is no matter. If
they dare resist at all ought they not il the
case happens to go against them, to be made
to smart for having declined to pay until
satisfied OF the fairness OF the clajm, and
what method likely to make them smart
more than a law framed on Mr.. Biiiey's
model?
But how wonld il work t. turn tina! meas.
ure "tother end round?" Supporting one OF
those terrible insurance companies which
are engaged IN tue dreadful work of ssc Ir-
ing the citizens of Indiana against the finan-
cisl less which accompanies death Or IRE.
were 10 ask for 4 bIil shooting the other WY
How would it seem to introduce me asure
declaring that any body who sued AN insur.
snce company in this State should, II de
feated, pay the company the full amount 1T
suit, with legal interest and 10 per cent.
damages? A dill Of shst sort now wolld be
brisk and original and would afford the In
surance Committees OF both Houses good
solid diversion. But il no member will |, ck
that idea into shape, The committees can at
least have real good time, aud do a sensi.
bic thing by bruisiDg the life out of Mr..
Baileys measure and all similar absurdities