Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-02-22
POLICY BILL.
Surprises People by Getting
Out Of Senate Committee.
REMLEY'S DENUNCIATION
The Attorney Generals Building and
loan Report the biggest Affair of
the Season-Anti.Pass Bills
Trimmed Down Some,


Trimmed Down Some,
Des Moines, Feb. 21.--(special Corr
respordence.)-The valued policy in
surance bill, by Senator Brighton, sur
prised both friends and foes by getting
out OF the senate committee; some
what mutilated, it is true, but Still N
condition to make lively fight on the
floor. The original bill provided that
IN case OF the burning of property in
sured, the full amount of policies is
sued against it should be presumed to
represent the total value of the prop
erty; that is, the insurance cognpan-
les would be estopped from the effor.
TO prove that they had insured the
property for more than it was worth,
except they could show fraud on the
part OF the insured in securing the
policies. The insurance companies
urged that this was unfair, especially
In the case of stocks of goods. A man
might insure stock of goods for $lO,-
600, sell two-thirds of it, set his sore
on fire, and collect the entire $4,000
insurance. This argument weighed
with the subcommittee, and it amend
ed the measure SO that it would apply
onlye TO real property and buildings,
and not to personal property. This
was not at all satisfactory to the firm
believers in the measure, but they ac.
cepted it as better than nothing.
Remley's Pronunciamento.
The sensation caused by the attor-
ney generals pronunciamento against
the building and loan and insurance
companies, promises to be the biggest
affair of the session. Various are the
charges aimed at the attorney gem
eral. Probably the most effective de-
tense of the companies he has assai'ed
will be along the line of demanding
protection to home institutions. 1t is
charged that the attorney general has
all thru his official career manifested
the plainest preferences for the east
ern and foreign insurance companies,
both life and fire, and that he has al
ways had a strong prejudice against
the building and loan business. While
the attorney general in his opin.sn
more than suggests that business
close akin to robbery is being conducr-
ed by some of these companies, .he
latter, in their turn, broadly intimate
that the attorney general is in the
employ OF the outside insurance COM
panies. It is the old argument between
the pot and the kettle, as to the COM
paratiye attractiveness of their respect
i've compilations. There is no DOUBT
that efforts will be made to enact
laws carrying into effect the sugges-
tons of Mr.. Remley. If this be done,
it will affect the building and loan as
sociations more than the insurance
people. according to reports. In fact,
men who have heretofore been promi-
nent In building and loan legislation
say 1t will compel complete reorgani-
cation of these associations. The prob
lem is a difficult one. There is in rbe
Legislature decided disposition to I'M
dertale this; but the details are not
so easily agreed on. Some OF the big
companies have hundreds of thousands
of moneys, and plan which would
radically change their system, it IS
claimed, would make it impossible eor
them to mature their. shares now out
standing. Thus they would be unable
to carry out their pledges to share
holders, who must suffer.
Members who are in sympathy with
the attorney generals views say it n!
means an extension of ten days or two
weeks in the session, to make this
fight; but they are willing to make
it Senator Healy is understood TO be
the leader of the movement, and he
hn NJ will IA,
ably be jointly responsible for any leg
lines.
Anti-Pass Bill Trimmed.
The anti-pass bill has been reported
out of the house committee, as pre-
dicted two or three days ago, and in
about the shape expected. The origin
al bill provided that no pass could be
given to any officer, judge, politi,ll
delegate or legislator. The committee
trimmed it down to a mere require
ment that no transportation be given
to delegates. Mr.. Hughes, author Of
the bill, promptly secured pledge
from member of the committee that
a minority report will demand the
passage of the original bill That will
mean fight of the, largest proper
tions.
Suppression of Intemperance. s.
In the house committee on sup
preston of intemperance, the bill Ly
Ayres Of Chickasaw, to legalize the
conduct of saloons under void Ecti-
tons of consent caused regular cir
Gus. The senate committee on sap
preston of intemperance is to meet
today and struggle with the bill by
Hubbard, on the same subject. The
senate committee is very uncertain.
The temperance people are getting ons
their strength to oppose this legaliza-
ton of saloons under the bogus patti
tions, and say they will make an issue
right here.
Convict Labor Bill.
The senate committee on judiciary,
together with the house committee on
labor met to consider the Titus con-
Wet labor bill. This measure is bacil-
ed by most of the organized labor OF