Evening star., 1901-08-01
INSURANCE DEPARTMENT
NEW BUREAU CREATED UNDER THE
DISTRICT GOVERNMENT.
C0mmi issiOners Considering Selection
of q Superfntendent-Mr. Macfar-
lands Views of the Office.

The District Commissioners have had
under consideration for some time now
the appointment of a superintendent OF
insurance The office is created under the
new code for the District Of Columbia.
which becomes effective January 1 next.
The position carries with salary OF
$500 per annum. and a clerk Is also pro-
vided for at a salary Of $1,000 There Is
no appropriation available for these rala-
ries as yet. but the Commissioners will
ask Congress to provide the necessary
funds as soon as the legislative houses
convene.
The department Of insurance" created
by the code has been placed under the SUI
pervision Of Commissioner Mcfarland.
the president Of the District board. Mr..
Macfarland has consulted with his fellow
Commissioners on the subject, but as yet
no determination has been reached. The
Commissioners have several names under
consideration and have consulted with
representatives Of the board of fire under
writer's and insurance men generally In
the city. selection will be made with
great care, and the Commissioners will
endeavor to secure the services of some
man especially fitted for the work he will
be called upon to take up The office will
require great deal Of executive ability.
full acquaintance with the insurance busf-
ness in all it's branches and excellent dis
cretion and Judgment. The superintendent
of insurance will have power to suspend
the license of any company where he feels
sure the operators have become 1nsolvent
or their capital stock impaired to the ex-
tent Of 25 per cent. In view Of this duty
the Commissioners are especially desirous
Of securing q man of courage and firmness.
Salary Inadequate.
Commissioner Macfarland stated today
that the salary of the office was hardly
commensurate with the duties and re-
sponsibilties imposed upon the superin-
tendent of insurance and might handicap
the Commissioners in making their selec-
tion. One thing Mr.. Macfariand stated as
a fact. and that Is that the Commissioners
will not consider any applications for the
place. They feel. he says. that it is an
office which should not go to any one
seeking the place. It Is not a political
Office In any way. Mr.. Macfarland said the
Commissioners would endeavor to induce
some man possessing special qualifications
for the place to take it. They may go out
side the District If the right man can be
found. It is possible. said Mr.. Macfarland.
that the Commissioners might find some in
surance gentleman who Is desirous Of re-
moving to Washington, who would leave q
more lucrative position to accept the tender
Of the Office Of superintendent. The au-
thorities believe the Office will be an ex-
cellent opening for an ambitious man. He
will be able to build from the ground up
as the office Is entirely a new one in the
District and there are no precedents to
follow. no old structures to tear down.
The Commissioners believe further that a
model system Of insurance supervision
should be created in this manner.
What the Law Provides.
The chapters in the new code creating the
department Of insurance and the office OF
superintendent are said to be modelled on
the laws Of New York and Massachusetts,
The new law provides that the superin-
tendent and his clerk shall devote the serv-
ices exclusively to the business Of the de-
partment Of insurance. The superintendent
shall have supervision Of all matters per-
tanning to insurance, insurance companies
and beneficial organizations and associa-
tions. subject only to the general super
vision of the Commissioners
The code provides further that it shall be
the duty of the superintendent to see that
all laws of the United States relating to
insurance and insurance companies. benefit
orders and associations doing business in
the District of Columbia are faithfully ex-
ecuted. The superintendent is directed to
secure copies Of the charters or declara-
tions of organizations of all companies be-
fore they are licensed. and, In fact, Is given
entire supervision of the insurance business
In all it's phases.