Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1903-11-25

Insurance COMMISSIONER HOST.
and anti-LaFoliette clash. That is,
unless the unexpected happens aid
Governor LaFollette decides to refrain
from the governship while he himself
plars to succeed Senator Quarles. 1t
has even been suggested that Governor
LaEollette might confound his enemies
by acQuiescing i'll the BaenSch proposal.
And so all is at sea until the governor
shows his hand. The fact that Mr..
Cock of Neenah will be in the field is
regarded as an administration demon
stration, and to neither prove nor dis
prove that Governor LaFOllette will
himself not be candidate. The best
thought here is that the governor will
stand for reelection and not impossibly
pass to the senate on the theory that
if reelected governor he will easily
have control of the legislature. His
friends here are confident he is in COM
mand of the situation to date.
Division of Surplus.
Mr.. Hosts warfare to get the big
insurance companies to divide up their
surplus money so that the policy hold
ers may get a share is attracting much
attention and it is barely possible Gov
ernor LaFollette may take up the new
cry as q popular issue. The insurance
companies say:
$50 far as the companies are con
cerned, it makes no difference to us
whether we divide our surplus annually,
biennially, every five years, or allow
it to accumulate till the termination of
the policy" Mr.. Host says the money
belongs to policy holders and that the
real purpose of deferred payments is
to permit large commissions and ex-
penses. Mr.. Host, as insurance COM
missioner, has ruled in the matter and
it is now up to the courts to sustain
or reverse. The company argument is
that the accumulation of the dividends
offers a safe and reliable way of saw
ing small sums. The decision will not
hold water because it abridgeS the
right of contract. A man has a right
to deposit his money with us on what
ever terms he desires to make. The
policy holders now have the option of
an annual dividend if they desire it,
but most of them prefer the accumu-
lated dividends. The decision would
prevent the Wisconsin policy holders
from enjoying the same benefits of az
cumulated dividends that are enjoyed
by policy holders in other states.
Mr.. Host is sending the literature
of the contest far md wide and the
insurance press is noting his campaign
of course not with encouragement.
Modern Club in Small City.
Wausau has a club house that is
easily the best of it's class. 1t stands
near to the main business street, it is
in good taste in design. The building
cost $4,000. The membership is about
100 and includes the active spirits of
this town of 10000 people. OF an
evening there is always group of
professional and business men chatting
of public affairs, and here is fostered
that public spirit and local enthusiasm
which have made Wausau distinctive
Young men are especially urged to
join; the entrance is $25 and the annual
fee $50 a year. The club house has
the usual parlors and reading rooms,
a large billiard hall and down stairs
the popular bowling alleys; on the top
floor is a hall where dances are held;
but there is no bar nor cafe. Not a
drop of liquor is allowed in the
building. No refreshments are served.
the city being small and the members
homes not far distant; but it is note
worthy that club can be so popular
and financially successful without the
receipts and alleged social enlivening
influences of bar. To such a club
homes may send their sons and hus-