The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-01-11

choose their senator's by direct vote. Such
action en- the part of this General Assembly
would reflect the will of a large majority
OF our people
The Trust Problem
1 hope the present General Assembly will
wisely and coura geoIssly meet tine grave
questions which the greed of monopoly has
forced TO the front.T The line OF demarcatlcri
between the legitimate functions of large
investments of capital, Independently con-
trolled, and the combination OF industries
of influencing markets and the qualification
OF the spirit of a~varice, are so diverse that
the good may not be placed under ban with
nopolistic tendency has been the rule. SmaIi
industries have been absorbed and dis
mantled. Healthy competition, in many IN
stances, destroyed. large industries closed,
| prices forced upward by arbitrary methods,
all of which constitute dangerous con-
| spiracies against the public good.
In answer TO an inquiry as 10 the enece
of monopolistic combinations Mr.. McCor-
mack, state labor commissioner, says:
MY official observation and experience
teaches me that the existence OF. these
mammoth combinations OF capital destroy
legitimate competition, restrict the saie
investment of capital and enereS py men
of moderate means, crush out the honest
endeavors of workingmen and small capt.
talists, promote hurtful legislation IN some
instances, override the law at times anu
defy the law when il serves their interest
so to DO. All this, and more, is contrary
to public policy and is to the detriment
CT the masses"
Large Investments of capital. indepen-
IDENTIFY controlled and not exercising arDi-
trary methods in restraint OF trade and
healthy competition, are a benefaction and
should be commended. In the limited space
that can appropriately be given to a mes
sage L must be content to point out the
need and leave TO the wisdom of the Legis-
lature TO provide the remedy.
Fire Insurance Combination
The rate of fire insurance should not be
arbitrarily controlled by any combination
OF underwriters. No corporation should be
| allowed, at it's own sweet will, to nix prices
or rates. Human nature is the same,
whether among the farmer or insurance
man, the manufactured or the mechanic.
1t any one of these classes had the power
or absolute control of their products ana
their prices they would manifest a spirit or
selfish avarice that would be against public
veal. Frequent have been the appeals and
earnest the pleas for some protection
| against unjust discrimination and exorbi-
tant rates of insurance.
Mr.. Z. o. Essex, of the Lancaster Iasur-
ance Company, in an address recently deliv-
cred before a meeting of the underwriters
at Manchester, England, gave the following
rates of insurance in foreign countries:
France, s cents on the 800; Germany, 10
cents; England, 20 cents; Australia, 80
cents; Austria, 80 certs: Russia, 81 cents.
| The average in the United States is 81 per
800. These rates have been frequently
/ quoted and not disputed. A former melnDeI
of the Legislature writes that In his city
| previous rates on mill property were 3 per
cent, Our city increased our fire pro-
lection. and rates were raised TO AZ per
cent. Then the city put in a Syl,WO water
plant, and the rates were raised to . per
cent"
The insurance companies claim that -four
mills are among the most hazardous risks
they write. The mill company, not relish
ing the arbitrary rating of the old liners,
went into the Millers' Mutual Company,
that takes only mill risks. and it has cost
hut pa per cent. in them. Now, If they can
carryDthis risk at "a per cent, what profit
would the others make at s per cent?
Another gentleman, Mr.. Brunker, of
FarmerSburg, writes that in 1893, before the
combine, he was charged "a
per cent. on the 500. After the formation
Of the insurance union, in 1894, he was
charged AZ per cent. In 1SS6 e12 per cent
confscation. He appealed TO the agents
and they said the union fixed the rates. He
appealed to- the attorney general. who said
there was no law to prevent the union fix
ing the rates. While these exOrbitant rates
were being increased the town had greatly
improved it's facilities for fire protection. ]
have cited these specific complaints, sus-
tanned by the policies filed in my office and
the correctness of the statements is sworn
to. These are facts and not fancy, and
justly appeal to you for relief from such
manifest injustice.
-Loaning of the School Funds
There are numerous complaints that
county auditors cannot loan the school
money at present rate of interest required
by law, together will attendant expense of
leaning. One county reports that there
will be 500, 900 which 1t cannot loan, and
still the county must pay the 6 per cent. in
terest. Instead of the present cost of ap-
praisement the appraised value for taxa
ton might be substituted. This would be
safe to the county and reduce expense. The
attention of the Legislature is called TO the
important matter of loaning school money.
Farm Institutes
The State appropriates but $1,000 for the
holding of farm Institutes. This is but one
third the amount appropriated by adjoining
States. Prof. c.. w. Latta, superintendent
of the Purdue farm. has charge of this
work. His splendid report shows wise and
economic management. One institute, last
ing. from two TO three days, was held in
each county while two were held in several
counties, the average attendance being
near three hundred persons. At least $40, 0C
should be appropriated for this means OF
educating the great mass of our farmers.
Public Schools
1t is most gratifying to note tina the
educational interests of the State are max
ing substantial progress. In the common
schools the country finds its anchor OF
safety. These should always receive the
fostering care of the State. The Indiana
University and the State Normal, under the
splendid and efficient management of their
presidents and faculty, are making COM
mendable progress.
Place of Candidates on the Ballot
Parties to secure places on the ballot
should be required to notify the election
beard not less than fifty days before cleo
ton that they will petition to have candi-
dates names appear on the ballot. This
will enable the election board to determine
the size of ballot. and the printer to order
the paper. Three carloads of paper were
required for the ballots at the last election.
The election board did not definitely know
the number of parties that would ask to
be on the ballot when they decided the size
Of the same.
kidnapping
Where the kidnapers have TO legal or
blood claim. where the abduction is for
ransom or any other unlawful purpose, it
should be made in extreme cases punish
able by death or imprisonment for life.
Tax Laws-Intercounty Electric Lines
Amend the laws of taxation so as to give
the State Board OF Tax Commissioners
original jurisdiction in matterS>of assess
ment over all electric railroads extending
into different counties
Pipe Lines
Make ii the duty of all companies having
pipe lines running into more than one coun-
ty TO report to the State Board OF Tax
Commissioners all property owned by them.
and make 1t the duty of the State Board of
Tax Commissioners TO assess such prop
erty.