The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-01-21
ANTI-COMBINE ACT.
Representative DonneIIy's Bill Is
Qufte Drastic.

Representative Donnelly's act to pre-
vent combinations of insurance COM
pan1eS Oh. f. ID is as follows:
Sec. l. Any combination or agree
ment made or entered into by or be-
tween two or more fire or other insur-
ance companies insuring property
against casualties from the clements
transacting business within this state,
or between officers, agents or employees
OIL any SUCH companies relating to the
rates to be charged for insurance the
amount Of commissions to be allowed
agents for procuring insurance or the
manner of transacting business of fire
insurance within this state, is hereby
declared to be unlawful, and any such
company, officer or agent violating this
provision shall be guilty of a misde-
meanor, and on conviction thereof in
any court having Jurisdiction shall pay
penalty Of not less than $100 nor more
than $500 for each offense, to be recov-
cred for the use of the permanent
school fund in the name of the state.
Sec. 2. The auditor of the state is
hereby authorized to summons and
bring before him for examination, I'M
der oath, any officer or employee of amy
fire Insurance company transacting
business within this state suspected
or violating any of the provisions of
this act; and on complaint in writing
made to him by two or more residents
OF this state, charging any such corn-
pany, under oath upon their knowledge
or belief, with violating the provisions
Of this act, said auditor shall summons
and cause to be brought before him for
examination, under oath, any officer or
employee of said company; and if upon
such examination, and the exan1ina-
ton Of amy other witness or witnesses
that may be produced and examined
the auditor shall determine that such
company is guilty of a violation of any
of the provisions Of this act, or if any
officer shall fail to appear or submit
to an examination after being duly
summoned, he shall forthwith issue an
order revoking the authority Of such
company to transact business within
this state, and such company shall not
thereafter be permitted to transact the
business of fire insurance in this state
ait amy time within one year from the
time of such revocation.
Sec. 3. Either party may appeal from
any decision Of the auditor made in
pursuance to this act to the district
court of the county wherein such de-
ctsion was made within twenty days
from the time Of the rendition of such
decision, by serving a written notice
Of such appeal ON the opposite party
and on the auditor of the state and
filing with the clerk of said court a
good and sufficient bond for the pay
ment of all costs made on appeal in
case the decision shall be affirmed. On
such appeal the district court shall try
the case de novo as equitable causes
are tried, on such evidence as may be
produced by either party, and may re-
verse, modify or affirm the decision
or order Of the auditor
Sec. 4. The statements or declara-
tfonS made or testimony given by any
such officer or agent in the investiga-
ton before the auditor, or upon the
hearing and trial before the district
court, as provided for in sections and
3 of this act. shall not be used against
any person making the same in any
criminal prosecution against him.
Sec. 5. This act shall take effect and
be in force from and after it's passage.