The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-04-22
HIS GUNS ON CLARKsON.
The superintendent of Insurance i:
After the Maker of Topeka Rates.


After the Maker of Topeka Rates.
The claim has been made among pat
rons of insurance companies, and not
denied by the companies themselves,
that Harrison Clarkson of Topeka pre-
pares a book of rates which is spur-
chased by the companies and from
which no deviations are permitted in
terms of insurance.
If this be true, and there is ample ev-
idence to show that such a combination
is really in existence, Webb McNaIl,
state superintendent of insurance pro-
poses to destroy it and compel the com
panies to do business strictly upon their
own responsibility.
''Czar'' Clarkson has a profitable bus
mess in the publication and sale OF
his rate book which is in the hands Of
every insurance agent in Kansas and
Oklahoma Much complaint has been
received at the insurance department
against the high rates maintained
through the agency of this so-called
combination and Mr.. McNall proposes
to offer to patrons of insurance cOmpa-
MES the protection which his depart
ment affords.
This controversy is an alignment of
GEAR against GEAR, the outcome OF
which will be watched with interest.
However, Mr.. McNal has made the
first move and has sent the following
letter to the head office of all fire in
surance companies doing business in
the state:
You will please furnish forthwith to
this department answers to the follow
ing heterogeneous:
'First-Is your company at this time
a subscriber for what is known as
Harrison ClarksOn's insurance or rate
book?
"second--If the above question is an
SWered in the affirmative, you will then
state the length of time that you have
been such subscriber, the amount of
money you pay each year to said Clark
son for such rate book, and the numb
of years that you have used the same.
''Third-Does not such rate book fully
classify all the property in this state,
and in addition does it not fix the rate
to be charged upon such classification?
'Fourth-Do you furnish one of these
books to each one of your local agents
in this state?
DO you instruct your local agents in
this state to abide by the classifcations
book?
.Sixth-If the above question is an
swered in the affirmative, you may
then state if any penalty is visited upon
any agent who writes at a lower ra tie
or places the classification in a differ
ent risk than stated in ClarksOn's
rate book If you answer the above
question in the affirmative, you may
then state what is the nature of the
penalty visited upon such local agent
tSeVenth-At any time since you
have been using such rate book, have
any of your agents in this state re
ce1Ned premiums at q lower rate or
placed property in a different classih-
cation than is mentioned in such book?
''Eighth-If SO, state the date, the
name of the agent giving his postof-
flee address.
''Ninth-What penalty, if any, did
your company impose upon such local
agent for doing the same?
Tenth-If any policy has been written
at a lower rate than mentioned in said
book, give the name of the policy
holder with the No. of the policy, the
amount insured and the premium
paid.
'Eleventh-State if such policy was
cancelled by the company"
Should the companies refuse to COM
ply with this request Mr.. McNall has
the power to exclude them from bust
ness in Kansas.