The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-03

| densome tax upon foreign companies of
| one and half per cent" He thought
| policy holders would have to pay this in
| increased rates of insurance.
Mr. Babeoek said the tax ought TO be
4 per cent instead of 10 per cent.
/ Mr. Jenkins, said the bill had the en-
dorsement OF every man in the District
representing foreign companies. If it put
| burdensOme tax upon the companies and
| was going to result in an increase of in
| surance rates he wanted to know why the
| policy holders had made no complaint.
! Mr. Hepburn upon being recognized,
1 charged that the insurance rates of local
companies in the District are 100 per
cent higher than the rates charged by
large number of foreign companies. He
| said policy had been written in local
| company al so cents on a hundred dollars
and the same policy had been written in
Philadelphia company for 80 cents. He
thought with the wide streets of this city
the character of the buildings, and the
almost perfect Fire Department" that in
surance rates ought to be as low here as
elsewhere. Mr.. Hepburn assumed the po-
sition of the poor mans friend He said
insurance companies. the advantage of too
many exceptions for liability. He said the
local companies were seeking, by the pas
sage OF the pending bill. 10 evade just
taxation. He accused Mr., jenkins of try
ing to put through an unjust bill.
Mr. Russell of Connecticut was the next
speaker. He said he WAS not aware that
there was any general opposition to the
bill. but he took strong exception to Sec
ton of the bill.
High Rates Opposed.
Mr.. McRae of Arkansas opposed the bill.
He criticised what he called the "eXorbi-
tant rates charged in the District of Co
I lumbia for insurance He offered as an
amendment prohibition against what is
known as the board rate which Mr..
McRae said is the rate established by the
insurance trust. He said the purpose of
the amendment was TO prevent combina-
tion of insurance companies to maintain
exorbitant rates Mr.. Babcock reserved
a point of order on the amendment. which
the speaker said had been offered on
yielded time and in addition 10 this de-
feet the bill had not yet been read for
amendment
Mr.. Ridgely of Kansas opposed the bill
because of the obligations it imposed on
the insured. and the exemptions it gave
to the insurance companies
Mr. Babcock said the conditions pro-
vided for in the bill were the conditions
which prevail in a large majority of the
States which have insurance departments.
Mr.. Ridgely said these departments were
under the influence of the companies. He
thought the best way TO protect the in
terest of the people was to institute public
insurance.
Mr.. Denny of Maryland opposed the bill
heara nFf 81 oil
surance companies.
Mr.. Russell of Connecticut offered an
amendment reducing the rate of taxation
on foreign companies from L. to
] per cent. Mr.. Ray defended the bill.
Mr.. Babcock said the ten pages of ex-
emptions SO harshly criticised by Mr..
Hepburn was the standard New York pol
icy adopted in nearly every State for the
protection of policy holders.
Mr.. Babcock then moved the previous
question. which was agreed to. The ques-
tion then being on agreeing 10 amend
ments the committee amendments were
adopted.
Mr. McRae's amendment was then re-
ported, and adopted without dissent. Mr.
Russells amendment was reported and
the question of its adoption was put and
a division demanded, resulting in the re-
lection of the amendment by vote OF
&c to 6.
The bill was then passed.
other Bills Passed.
Mr.. Babcock then called up House bill
1879, for the relief of John A. Narjes,
of the District of Columbia.
This is a bill enactipg that "all real es-
tate lying In the District OF Columbia
heretofore purchased and conveyed to
John A. Naries, of said District, prior 10
the passage of this act be relieved and
exempted from the operation of an act en-
titled An act to restrict the ownership Of
real estate in the Territories TO American
citizens approved March 8, 1887, and all
forfeitures incurred by force of said act
are in respect of such real estate hereby
remitted'"
Narjos is 3S years of age; a native
of Altoona by Hamburg, Germany He
came to the United States fifteen years
ago and became a citizen Of the United
States since January 5, 1899 Before that
time he bought one piece of property in
the District of Columbia valued at about
81 600 TO wit, sublot No. "a, square 1868
He was not aware that an act entitled An
act to restrict ownership of reai estate in |
the Territories 10 American citizens, ap-
proved March 8. 1887, cut him ont Of legal
possession Of the above property, hence !
his bill for relief
This bill was passed.
The Chairman of the District Com /
mittee then asked for the consideration OF |
House bill 5140, to confirm title 10 lot !,
square 1113. in the city of Washington
This bill provides:
That the Secretary Of the Interior be- and he |
is hereby. authorized and directed to release |
and quit claim 10 johanna G. Block. her heirs. |
and assigns forever. all the right, title and in
terest, whether legal equitable OF the United /
States OF America in and 10 al that 10; or parcel
OF ground situated in the city OF Washington |
District Of Columbia, known the ground plan |
Of said city lot No I, in square Ill3 upon the |
payment by the said Johanna {. Block Of s-icb |
sum the said Secretary OF the Interior shall
deem Just and equitable: Provided. That the said |
Johanna &. Block pay TO the proper officer Of the
District Of Columbia all taxes hei etofore as |
seSSed against sand property. both general and |
special, now unpaid and standing asJinst said |
property.
This bill was passed.
THE CoEUR D'ALENE TROUBLES. !