Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-04-07
LEGISLATION AND PROGRESS

Mr. ". H. Beden, state agent Of the
Travellers insurance company, with head
quarters at Houston, was seen by What
Not Yesterday and in reply to the ques-
ZION, what legislation of the present
session is the most interesting to you"
said: Il am interested only in two bills.
The first bill is the bill introduced by Mr.
Lubbock providing for fire escapes from
hotels over two stories high and rope
ladders for two story buildings. This is a
law that is necessary to the personal
safety of guests at hotels and is worthy of
the consideration of the legislators. The
other bill is senate bill No -, which pro-
vides for the forfeiture of $500 to the state
by any insurance company doing business
in the state in cases where the said COM
pany permits any distinction or discrimina-
ton in favor Of individuals between in
SurantS of the same class and equal eXpec-
tation of life, either in the amount of
payment OF premiums or rate charged for
policies of life or endowment insurance,
or to the dividends or other benefits pay
able them, Tor shall any such company or
any agent thereof make any contract of
insurance or agreement other than is
plainly expressed in the policy issued
thereon. The necessity for this bill
arises from the custom among agents to
cut commissions in order to secure Gus
toners. Where competition is intense the
agents, who generally receive a COM
mission of 20 per cent, often secure
customers by giving the insurants the ad-
vantage of 10 per cent of their commission,
and sometimes they take the insurance and
charge no commission at all. This, Of
course is discrimination against other in
surants, as well as unfair competition. All
insurance companies publish their rates in
order 10 secure the confidence of the people
and the agents have no more right to dis
criminate secretly than railroads have to
grant rebates to certain pets. 1t is on the
same principle and / would like very much
to see the bill become q law, as it will ben
eft both the public and the insurance com
panleS.'
After a rambling conversation, What
Not asked What do you think of deep
water AZ GalvestonN"
Mr.. Belden-'I am satisfied that Calves
ton will now get deep water; but until
trunk lines are constructed 10 erect a de-
cent bridge across the bay there will al
ways be danger from high water. Besides,
it costs at least $50, 600 per year to keep the
two bridges now spanning the bay in order
The toredos, which are death to ships that
are not copper bottomed, eat the piers
away in two or three years, and this will
necessitate iron or stone piers. If Calves
ton can get four more trunk lines COM
pany will be organized to construct a mag
nificent bridge and traffic can be handled
WITHOUT udH2tT lTOul nlgu wafer. lnlS
bridge is also necessary to afford the people
of Galveston exit in case of high water like
that of 1876. There is a rumor, however,
floating around that Mr.. C. P. Huntington
has o scheme on foot, in case deep water is
secured, TO build wharves at Virginia Point
and make the main land the 1main traffic
point He has purchased three or four
hundred acres Of land there and undoubt-
eddy has some plan IN view. 1t is supposed
that the crevasse near New Orleans, which
has forced Texas trains TO route via Baton
Rouge has had a great influence on Mr..
Huntington, and that he has calcu-
lated that by running his steamers
to Texas and re-loading the freight or the
cannon ball trains 20 San Francisco aud
the coast he can save AS miles OF heavy
railroad traffic. and, al the same time, Sc
cure . more direct route Tor tie European
bound freight from the coast With the
steamers alongside Of the Virginia Point
wharf Huntington will make but one
transfer OF freight from San Francisco 70
European ports. All Of the trains vii, pass
over roads with which he is connected and
his line of steamers will he increased D.
many more vessels. This is big scheme,
which will take millions of dollars %
operate; but Afr. Huntington undoubtedly
mas scme end in view IN buying this land,
and think that it Is highly probable that
he viii construct the wharves spoken Of.