The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-01-19
A HALT IS CALLED
Attitude Of Mutual Companies Puts
!. a Crimp in Proposed Insu-
rance Legislation.
Some Are Wondering if It Is Pos
sible for the Legislature to
Regulate Rates.
Special to The Journal.

Special to The Journal.
Pierre. S. D., Jan. 19.-The opposition
OF the home mutual insurance companies
10 the two plans which have been pro-
posed In the hope Of securing relief from
the oppressive rates charged by the stand
ard companies has thrown the forces
Which had been gathering to the support
or anti-cOmpact and valued policy into the
air. Everyone is friendly to the mutuals.
There are at least eight Of them and they
have afforded safe insurance for the past
eight years at usually so per cent Of the
standard rate and in no case charging
more than 50 per cent. 1t can not be
said that they have accomplished what
was hoped for them at the outset in the
way Of bringing down the standard rates
to a fair and reasonable basis, but they
have to the extent to which their conserv-
ative management has permitted them to
undertake insurance given the public pro-
lection at a fair rate.
From the beginning Of the agitation for
legislative relief the valued policy and
anti-compact law have been regarded only
as possible and experimental remedies,
and latterly the conviction has been grow
ing that If these plans did not remedy the
trouble that they would be urged in retail
alton, but the position of the mutuals
has called halt They are equipped to
demonstrate the wisdom Of their oppos-
ton and offer convincing proof that they
cannot do business under the proposed
innovation,
Many Of the best thinkers in the legisla-
ture are now asking If it is possible for
the legislature to regulate insurance rates
and they are earnestly seeking for an
answer. A few with socialistic tenden-
cies believe that the state should become
the insurance agent and seriously propose
this as the only way to bring the old line
companies to reason.
Bill fer Better OH.
Representative kribs' bill for the inspec-
ton of Illuminating oil provides for an in
spector who shalt receive a salary of
$1,000 and expenses and such deputies as
he may require for the prompt perform
ance Of the duties Of the office at 81, 900
and expenses, provided the salaries and
expenses Of deputies and inspector shall
not exceed the sum Of the fees collected
The vital provision Of the bill lies In
section 6. which provides that no oil shall
be knowingly sold in this state which shall
at 120 degrees Fahrenheit. ignite and burn,
or which shall have a lower gravity test
than 46 per cent. It goes without saying
that Mr.. ILribs has fight on his hands,
but the temper Of the legislature appears
to coincide with that of the people, and it
is probable that the wings of the Standard
will be slightly singed this time.
o. grace
originated from the view held by our an
cestors that it was undignifed to perform
an obligation upon the very day specified
in the bond, but Senator Abel believes that
the time has come when without injury to
our dignity We can recede from the anti
quated position. Therefore his bill abol-
tshing days Of grace. Abel is secretary
Of the State Bankers association. and he
says that the report that the uniform ne.
gotiable instrument bill Of last session will
be reintroduced is an error. His argu-
ment for the adjustment of days of grace
is that the custom leads tc constant an
noyance in determining when a bill shall
be protested.
Pharmacy Law Changes
The members Of the state beard of p1lar-
macy are here to arrange some needed
amendments to the law governing their
OrganiZa ton. The South Dakota pllar-
macy law, in all of the details which go to
the protection of the public health. is one
of the very best in the union and the
board is justly proud Of the high standing
of excellence which the profession has &C
CURED under it's administrative points ant
these the board desires to correct. There
has been some criticism and a good dea
of amusement because Of the eXtraneou!
matter printed In tho biennial report tt
the governor relating to the program o.
sports at the annual meeting Of the phar
maceutlCal association TO which the bOarC
is allied. The fact however, appears t
be that the association pays it's own ex
penses and has up to this year paid fo
printing it's own report from funds con
tributed by it's members. but at the las
session the law was changed without tn,
knowledge Of the board so that the repor
was printed under the provisions Of tn
general printing bill The object In print
ing the program Of sports was to advertise
the meetings in the most favCra BILE light t.
attract the interest and attendance Of
large number of the pharmacists.
Koenig has bill authorizing surety t.
bring action against his principal for dam
ages sustained through his suretyship I
Is said that the state has no law upon thi
subject.
The revised code is out Of the senat
without scratch Secretary Armstrong
broke the record as an eocutionist upo
the third reading, when he got over a bi
containing 2,4S6 sections in three minutes
The democrats have not yet found
twelve votes for senator. Governor lie
bach has dropped out and John Bowie
seems to hold the pole at present
A bill was passed in the senate ~locat
ing the state fair permanently ut Huron
A meeting of the State Historical SO
ciety is announced for Wednesday nigh
in the hall of the house. The meetin
will be addressed by Bishop O'Gorman c
Sioux Falls.