The Washington times., 1902-12-05

] Importance 10 the insurance business
have been introduced in the Virginia
Legislature and the indications are that
there viii be a lively contest over their
passage. Leading insurance men from
/ all sections Of the State will come here
to fight them
/ One of the bills. offered by Senator
Sale. OF Norfolk. practically re-enacts
the Wharton law, while that presented
in the house by Frank T. West, Of
Louisa. is designed to abolish the three
quarter clause which is operative under
the present law.
Mr.. Sales Measure.
The bill of Mr.. sale provides that '1t
shall be Unlawful for any chartered com
pany or association doing business in
this State to enter into any compact
or combination with any other chartered
company or association, Or to require or
allow their agents TO enter into any
compact or combination with other
agents OF such cherter<j companies or
associations. for the purpose OF govern
/ ing or controlling rates or charges used
/ in this state. and that all chartered
companies or associations doing business
/ in this State shall cause to be filed on
the 1st day OF March in each year. with
the auditor Of public accounts OF this
state, the affidavit Of some officer or
agent Of said chartered company or as
sociation who resides in the State. set
/ ling forth the fact that the said com
pany or association Of which he is an
officer or agent has not in the twelve
months prior 10 the date Of the said af-
hdavit entered into any trust. comhina-
tion, OF association for the purpose Of
/ preventing competition in rates or
charges in this State"
The passage Of the Wharton law three
years ago IS well remembered by the
insurance men. 1t drove the Southeast
ern Tariff Association cut OF the State.
and aroused such opposition that when
the Legislature met again the law was
repealed.
Many business men are not satisfied
with the repeal Of the statute. which
prohibited insurance companies from
combining to put up rates and abolished
the three-quarter clause. and the intro
ductiOn Of the two bills was the result.
New Game Laws.
The Importance Of providing some bet
ter protection for the game Of Virginia
has been impressed upon members Of the
Legislature. Senator Bryant, who Is In
terested in the movement, has offered
three bills along this line
The first is 10 prohibit the shooting of
any waterfowl or wild turkeys in the
State at night or TO capture them in
nets OF traps at any time. or to use re-
/ fectors, or sneak traps. or 10 hunt
muskrats at night with reaectors, OF to
/ shoot game of any sort az any time
with a gun OF larger bore than No. s.
The fine is not less than $40 nor moro
than $50.
Another bill would prohibit the ship
ment Of game from this State. arI re-
lates TO non-residents. II also aesig-
mates the quantity Of game they may
carry out Of the State and regulates
! the shipment through this state OF game
killed In another State Quail OF part
ridges. pheasants or grouse. wild sur-
keys and deer are not permitted 70 be
/ shipped out Of the State for any pur-
/ pose, except for preparation as speci-
mems Of natural history.
To Appoint Game wardens.
The third bill is to provide for the ap-
pointment OF game wardens. their com
pensatiOn. and 10 define their powers.
duties. and liabilities Each magisterial
district shall have one or more wardens.
and each town and city to have one or
more wardens. to be appointed by the
judges Of the circuit OF corporation
courts.
The muskrat clause OF the first bill
will cause a howl from the rivermen Of
New Kent. Charles City. King william,
James City and other counties Of the
eastern section Of the State which are
! intersected by small ivc-s. -L,-e ord
ers are marshes literally infested by
mushats. Any calm fall or winter even
ing one may see boats gliding up and
down the thoroughfares of the marshes
\ OF the ChickahOminy River. strong
/ light viii be full upon one OF other Cf
| the banks, thrown ahead and conceu-
! trated by a parabOlic reflector. All
/ around is as dark as proveFbial Erebus
| but a white line travels up and down
/ the stream ahead Of the boat that lays
/ the bank where it touches and all else
there as bright as noon day.
Blinded by Light.
II there Is a rat on the end OF a log.
he becomes as conspicuous as If he were
sitting upon a lamp post The light
blinds his rodent majesty until ne is
utterly bewildered He sits perfectly still
while making up his mind what he Is
up against" and the next thing he
knows he is facing a load OF No. shot.
/ The result is usually a dead rat OF
wounded one endeavoring to reach the
( tockahOe on the other side OF the creek
/ where his home may be. only for the
/ light TO fash on him and 10 be finished
/ with a second load
Ten or fifteen, possibly more. are kill
ed by 10 o'clock. The next morning early
the huntsman skins his game and
stretches the hides on boards made for
the purpose. When dry the skins are
either sold "a the country store or seat
10 Richmond. They usually bring the
''ratter" fifteen cents apiece. II Is fine
sport and pays well for about two and
half hours time.
Another way OF getting rats is bv tho
use of steel trans SET "a etrt.. a. -