Omaha daily bee., 1899-02-15

+ law and IL this is done | do not see that
these abuses can occur. The proposed law
| which imposes a tax of per cent Is not
i satisfactory to the companies in that we
consider per cent an eXorbitant tax. II
| this can be reduced to more reasonable
| figure l presume it would be satisfactory.
II. d. Neely OF the Equitable Life-There
| is only one really satisfactory system OF IN
= surance supervision and that is the estab-
| lishment of an insurance commission.
think that a law should be introduced at
once to provide for such a body, and with
this in force the abuses complained OF
would be impossible.
w H. Wyman of the Aetna Insurance
company stated that so far as he knew no
attempt had been made to hold up the
! home office of the company. He believed
that the charges should be very thoroughly
investigated by the Legislature, and If they
| proved to be true, steps taken in direction
that will put a stop to such operations for
all time
| At the office Of the New York Life 1t was
| learned that there had never been any
! thing but the most friendly business rea-
tions between the insurance deputies and
the company. The company is one of the
largest in the United States and this would,
in a measure, serve to protect it from
| holdups.
| Charles j. Barber, of the Home Fire In
| surance company, whose home Offices are
| located here stated that he considered that
the kindly treatment which had been given
! the Nebraska men was largely due to the
| connection of Lichty with the insurance de-
partment. During the administration OF
! Mr. Cornell" said Mr.. Barber, my office
has never been examined So far as l was
aware these holdup practices had about died
| out. If the charges can be sustained the
perpetrators should be located and so dealt
with that there can never be the slightest
chance of the game being repeated. l be-
lieve the public and the people of the state
want the insurance companies to secure
Justice as well as everybody else and this
system of legalized robbery ought to be
stopped at once
Don't Examine This Company.
]. l.. Mabie, secretary of the Fidelity
Mutual Life Insurance company, said that
he had heard some time ago that eastern
companies were being Systematically
squeezed by the insurance department, but
had never been able to find any agent
whose company had been held up. Our
company is home concern and we have
never been even examined. The fact that
we have never been held up may be ac-
counted for by this as it is a little too
near home to attempt such a thing. II
the charges are true, I think the Legislature
will feel itself called upon to act in the
matter"
A. ]. White, assistant secretary of the
German Mutual Fire company, did not care
to express an opinion so far as my com
pany is concerned" said Mr. White, 81
have no fault to find with the insurance
department of the state. An examination
OF our books was made about two years age
and man spent about three days checking
them over. l don't remember just what
his bill was, but it was not more than $50
or $35. l know that the bill was paid
promptly and cheerfully."
w. ]. Fischer, general agent for the
New England Mutual, was out of the city
but at his office it was learned that the
company was examined about a year ago
1t was thought that the examination wa!
by Palm, though it could not be stated
for certain that he did the work. Wher
the examiner first visited the home office
the company's officials declined to allow
him TO go over the books The examines
telegrarhed Mr.. Fischer and on his reply
the examination was allowed to proceed
/, II the bill rendered was considered eXorbi
tant, nothing was ever said about 1t tC
the state agent, though that would do lit
tie good" remarked one OF the agents, "a
they would have to pay 1t or quit doinl
business in the state"