The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1903-11-27

Insurance COMMISSIONER HOST.
and anti-LaFollette clash. That is,
unless the unexpected happens ard
Governor LaFOllette decides to refrain
from the gOvernship while he himself
plans to succeed Senator Quarles. 1t
has even been suggested that Governor
LaFOliette might cOnfOund his enemies
by acQuiescing in the Baensch proposal
And so all is at sea until the governor
shows his hand. The fact that Mr..
Cook Of Ne6nah will be in the field is
regarded as an administration demon
stration, and to neither prove nor dis
prove that Governor LaFollette will
himself rot be a candidate. The best
thought hare 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 popular issue. The insurance
companies say:
$50 far as the companies are con-
cerned, it makes no difference to us
whether we divide cur 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 ac-
cumulated dividends that are enjoyed
by policy holders in other states
Mr.. Host is sending the literature
Nf tbn 20, y
insurance press is noting his campaign
of course not with encoura cement
Modern Club in Small City.
Wausau has a club house that is
easily the best of its 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 $50 and the annual
fee $40 a year. The club house has
the usual parlors aud reading rooms,
a large billiard hall and down stairs
the popular bowling alleys; on the top
floor is 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 a bar. To such a club
homes may send their sons and hus