Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1900-04-12
STATE OF KANSAS,
INSURANCE DEPARTMENT.
W. Y. Church,

Superintendent.
= Chas. H. Ridgway,
Asst. Superintendent.
TOPEKA, Kas., April 2, 1900.
s. H. Hata, Abilene, Kansas:
My Dear Sir:-l have your letter Of
March 29th with reference to The
Farmers Mutual Hail association.
This company was organized in
strict compliance with the law and so
far as have learned it is complying
with the law in the prosecution Of its
business. 1t is true that in some in.
stances certain agents have been
guilty of irregular transactions. |
AMI aware, however, that the officers
of the company have been prompt in
their efforts to cure evils OF this kind.
They have used considerable time and
money in this very operation. Agents
have been discharged and to my
knowledge one agent who violated the
law is now in jail for the violation.
Mr.. Overmeyer's letter carries an
insinuation, but itpresents no specific
charge against this company. David
Overmeyer was one Of the incorporat'
ors Of the company and at the time
the literature was printed, on which
his name appears, feel sure that the
company acted in good faith in hav-
ing his name appear with the names
Of the other organizers. Mr.. Over
never withdrew before the associa-
ton had made any record and not be-
cause 1t had made bad record. The
company does not authorize a repre-
sentation that Mr.. Overmeyer is now
connected with the organization and
letters have gone out ordering all
literature bearing MIR. Overmeyer's
name returned.
F. H. Hilliker, who was originally
connected with this association, is said
to have figured with fraudulent con.
Germ in another state. Whether this
latter rumor Is true or not, 1t is afact
that Hilliker is not now a member Of
the Topeka company.
| have ample evidence that the Off
GERS of The Farmers Mutual Hail
association are endeavoring to do
legitimate business. They have de-
posted in this Office premium notes
to the aggregate amount OF ten thous-
and dollars, which are deposited "as
a guaranty Of good faith and that the
officers of said association will, in all
conduct the business OF said
association according to law and
faithfully account TO members Of said
association for all moneys received by
them and pay all losses strictly in
accordance with the bylaws of said
association and the laws OF the state
Of Kansas
1t lie presumed that hail insurance
may perform useful
in behalf the farmers Of Kan
sas, otherwise the legislature would
would not have authorized their ex-
istence. This being the case, and
when they seem to be trying to con.
fine themselves to legitimate methods,
it strikes me that it would be weak
and cowardly to treat them oppress-
lively because similar organization,
at another time, in another state, is
said to have violated the law.
II Mr.. Overmeyer, or any other
man acting in good faith, will make
it known to this department, that any
hail insurance company is violating
the laws Of Kansas, will promptly
take the case before the proper
authorities and see to it that the evil
is stopped. 1t is my belief that the
Jaw governing such companies needs
some mending. 1t would be well to
require something in the nature Of a
deposit for the protection Of policy
holders. 1t isa fact, however, that
he law under which these companies
ire operating is much stronger and
better than the seven'line law passed
BY the Special Session. which latter
aw placed absolutely no restrictions
Upon hail companies. hand you
,erewith copies OF each act.