Omaha daily bee., 1902-04-15
TONTINE MEN FIGHT The BILL
Appeal to Governor Oummins to Veto
Measure Adverse to Their Interests.
SAY IT VIOLATES PERSONAL RIGHTS
Proposed Bill Now in Hands of GOV
ernOr Provides Expulsion from
state Of This Glass OF
Business.
From a star correspondent.l


DES MONIES. April REORGANIZATION
resentatives Of tontine companies from Mis-
souri,, Nebraska and Minnesota are making
a determined effort to have Governor Cum
Minis veto the bill which passed the legisla-
ture In the closing days which has for its
purpose the driving out of the state these
various concerns which are doing a busl-
ness analogous to building and loan. At
torney Younker OF this city, Mr.. Gilbert
and Mr.. Ryan and several others have pro-
tested to the governor against this bill.
The bill vas the result OF Investigations
at Minneapolis and Kapsss City. In the
former city a company was engaged in sell
ing diamonds on the tontine plan and many
victims we're found In Iowa. A Kansas City
concern has established agencies in lowe
and is doing a big businesS promising prac-
tically> free homes for those who join. The
attention of Auditor Merriam was called to
these concerns and he consulted with the
attorney general and found there was no
law to reach them or to regulate them.
They were not Incorporated, but were
merely firms or partnerships. hence not
subject to any regulation.
Attorney General Mullan drew up aNbill
to compel all such concerns to incorporate
under the Iowa building and loan law and
be subject to investigation by the state audi
tor. This bill was submitted to Governor
Cummins and had his approval before it
was introduced. 1t was passed after the
representatives Of some of the companies
had tried vainly to- suppress 1t. The bill
is now in the hands Of the governor. The
companies have represented to him that
the bill is in violation Of the rights Of in-
dividuals, 1t changes the nature OF con-
tracts entered into and is unconstitutional,
in that 1t seeks to force out of business
| those engaged in legitimate enterprises.
The governor has asked the attorney gen.
eral to prepare a brief In the case before
he decides, but it is said he has no inten-
| ton to veto the measure. The demand Is
general for some such law to protect the
public against INSCRIPTIONS concerns not
only in other states, but In Iowa.
smallpox Nearly All Gone.
There are only a few cases Of smallpox
left in Des Moines, the rigid quarantine es-
tablished some months ago having proved
effective In stopping the increase of the
epidemic. The patients have been kept at
the old Tracy hospital, which was con-
Quoted for years as a private hospital, but
complaints havc been made that the man
agement has been very bad. that patients
wore huddled together in small rooms and
that all classes Of persons were forced to
remain together with inadequate protection
and poor food. The new smallpox hospital
built by the city has been opened recently
and all patients will be this week removed
from the old Tracy hospital. The Iegisla-
ture passed a law in. regard to the expense
of maintaining quarantine which will make
1t possible to compel practically all pey-
sons to go to the hospital or stand the ex-
pense themselves. and 1t is expected that
this will be useful in stopping the ravages
of smallpox in the future.
Iowa War Claims.
Adjutant General Byers will go to Wash,
ington this week to further press the mat
ter OF securing a refund Of the claims on
the government on account of the expense
to low in the preparations for the war
against Spain on behalf Of Cuba. All but
about $2S, 900 of the iowa claim has been
secured at one time or another by the ad-
Jutant general. A draft for $25, 900 has
Just been turned into the state treasury on
this account. When all has been secured
that can be through the auditing depart
ment Of the treasury the Iowa delegation
will be asked to advocate a special bill 10
reimburse Iowa for the expenses left I'M
paid. In this way it is believed that every
dollar will be secured.
Admiral Remey to Return.
In anticipation that Admiral Remev.
United States navy, is soon to return to
Iowa, possibly to remain or at least TO
pay an extended visit. preparations are
already being made for a reception and a
series of entertainments. Admiral Remey
went to the naval academy at AnnapolIs
many years ago as an Iowa cadet and en-
tering the navy has steadily risen until
he now commands one Of the most import-
ant Of the squadron OF Uncle Sam. He is
almost unknown to the present generation
OF Iowa people. He lived in Burlington
at the time he went to the academy and
will probably return to his old home first.
but is expected to pay a visit to Des
Moines.
/. Meat Prices Going Up.
The Des Moines restaurants have given
notice that after date there will be an
increase In the price of meals In which
meat orders are served. especially where
beef is included, and this is due entirely
ITO an increase in the price of meats. A
number Of smaller meat markets OF the
city have closed up on account OF the in
crease In the price Of meat. In suburban
stores, where meat has been sold. this
has been abandoned. The iobbers in meat
have increased the price and as a result
q great many customers are almost en-
tirely abandoned meat and especially at
this time OF the year are turning to other
food.
longer Expected to Return.
The friends and business associates Of
Major e. II. Conger. United States minis
ter to China. expect that he will return
home this summer, and are fully prepared
to believe the statements which have been
published in Washington looking to the
appointment Of a successor. When he re-
turned to China II was we'll understood
here that Mrs. Conger much preferred
that they should not go back and con-
sented to 1t only on condition that they
would remain Just long enough to close
up all matters In connection with the
Chinese Boxer war. Major Conger has no
business interests at home now, but he
had such wide experience In business that
It is believed he would quickly fall into a
uond huafuaua ahouId he rotv--