Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1905-11-23
TAKES A CONSERVATIVE VIEW.
Believes Great State Of New York
Is Able to Offer Remedial
Legislation.
Does Not Agree With MIR. Hopkins
That Criminal Practices Have
Been Engaged In.

GOV. Cutler has received a communi-
cation from A. w Hopkins OF Cleve-
land. Ohio, manager Of the Newspaper
Enterprise association. IN which he Is
asked to give his opinion in regard to
legislation 10 control the insurance
trust and to do all he can to aid such
legislation The letter refers to the
developments in the insurance investi-
cation now being carried on IN New
York and to the practise of the insur-
ance companies Of contributing to cam
paign funds as a criminal and un-
American practise Following is the
letter from Mr. Hopkins and also the
reply Of GOV. Cutler.
MIR HOPKINS LETTER.
Recent revelations in connection
with the Insurance Trust show con-
clusively that It is the practise and pol
icy of great corporations to maintain
and eXpend a defense fund" for the
purpose OF influencing legislation.
Bribers only exist where men can be
found to accept brides
Il am writing to you as the repre-
sentative OF over 300 prominent news
papers and ask YOU
VIII you refer to this criminal and
uh-Amerlcan practise in your next,
message?
What is your opinion on this vital
subject and how do YOU think the
gratters can best be detected and pun
ished?
Are you OF the opinion that the fed.
eral government should control life
insurance?
Il ask you for an early reply as itz
publication may influence legislation az
Washington
GOV CUTTERS REPLY.
To this letter Governor Cutler has
sent the following reply:
Il am IN receipt of your communica .
ton OF the eth inst, referring to tho
insurance investigation now being con-
Quoted In New York / observe that
you speak Of certain matters ms being
facts, and assuming their substantial
ton, you proceed from these premises
To certain conclusions. | respectfullv
call your attention to your reference 10
the Insurance Trust, bribery, etc. and
respectfully suggest that my careful
reading of the evidence offered. has
failed to convince me that such a trust
exists or that defence fund" is nee
essarily a fund for bribery. The use OF
a fund to protect the interest OF policy
holders against unfair and harmful
legislation, may not only be advisable
but absolutely necessary; hut 10 impure
bribery TO those who use il Is another
matter Has tie testimony so far
proved bribery?
Is OPPOSED TO BRIBERY.
Il wish you to understand, however.
that II IL should develop that bribery
has been committed or even attempted.
no one can be found more willing than
90 condemn the criminal and UNI Amer
ican practise. But has 1t not occurred
10 you that the advice Of Chairman
Armstrong Of the investigation commit
tee IL sound, that the public and the in
surAnce officers IN the various states
shall suspend their Judgment until all
the facts have come out, and the conf
mlttee has made IFS report?
FAVORs STRICT LAWS.
Il am in favor OF the strlctest laws
consistent with true freedom, for the
control and supervision OF life insur-
aucc. II grating Is proved, | think
the graftcrs viii be punished under the
criminal law now on the statute books.
The matter is before the great state "
New York. and I think that We can
trust the officials OF that state 10 do
their duty.
GOVERNMENT CONTROL.
1T may be well Tor the government 10
take the matter OF Insurance under
its supervision. | have no opinion 10
offer on that subject just now
you may count on me 10 assist In
every way In checking any tendency
towards fraud, bribery or corruption, In
the insurance business or In any other
line. But | think calm and cool iudg
ment should prevail, and the facts he
come fully known before drastic action