The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-07-06
HAVE NO WARRANT
TO WRITE POLICIES
Commissioner Macfarland
Explains That Superin-
tendent's Clerical Force Is
Unequal to Its Task.

In the course of the general investi-
cation under way in all departments of
the District government, a deplorable
condition of affairs has been unearthed
In the Office of the superintendent of
Insurance. Thomas E. Drake.
Checks submitted nearly a year ago
by local insurance companies fo- IL
censes covering portion Of 1902 and all
OF the year ending April 80. 1903. have
not been cashed, nor have any licenses
been issued to a great number of com
panles.
In other words, nearly all of the in
surance companies in Washington have
been transacting their business eighteen
months without license. although Con-
gress expressly stipulated that these Ii
censes should become effective January
1. 1902.
The explanation offered by the Com
missioners and Mr.. Drake is that there
have been no funds TO conduct the Of
fee of the Superintendent OF Insurance
as it should be conducted. Both Mr.
Drake and Commissioner Macfarland say
they have done all in their power to
influence the favorable action of Con-
gress without avail.
Why the Companies Object.
The insurance companies complain
that they cannot close their books on
account OF the outstanding checks. And.
although Congress placed the local COM
psnies under license eighteen months
ago. they have not received their IL
censes. and have nothing TO show for
the money expended. except the stub OF
the check. These checks, in most In
stances are for $66.66. s166e being for a
one-third year, from January to April
inclusive 1902, and $50 for the license
running from May l. 1902, until April 30.
1873.
A careful canvass among the insu.-
ance companies this morning shows that
the following prominent firms are doing
business practically unlicensed: Thomas
J. Fisher & Co.. the b. II. Warner Com
pany, Wolf & Cohen. John n Green,
Wescott d Story. the Riggs Fire Insur
anco Company, the Columbia Fire Insur-
ance Company. aud the Corcoran Fire
Insurance Company. No company in
terviewed possessed a ieense, nor had
its checks been cashed or returned.
Mr. DIake's Statement.
'Aly Office is being criticised unjustly,"
said MIR. Drake this morning. IT some
or these companies that are worried
about their checks not having been
eashed would send a representative to
my Office 10 ascertain the true condi-
tion OF affairs their complaints would
rrt 4
that Congress has created an Office with
out providing that Office with the means
TO carry out its functions and duties.
when 1 took charge here eighteen
months ago the Office force consisted oi
myself and one clerk. Now, after a year
and a hall Of persuasion. have secured
two more clerks. one OF whom has been
loaned me by Commissioner Maclar land
The force should number a dozen com
petent clerks II the business of the de-
partment is 20 be transacted as 1t should
be.
1T Is true that these checks have not
been cashed or returned, but the reason
is manifest. These companies fled with
their checks and applications for Ii
conses YOluminOus documents. detailing
their financial standing and their re
sources and setting forth the many rea-
sons why they should be allowed IL
censes. Before these licenses can be
granted IL IS necessary TO examine and
Iaes upon all these papers. Until the
applicant is proven eligible We cannot
accept the check in payment OF the Ii
conse. We have been working on these
many papers incessantly and are about
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