Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1905-12-07

form regulation OF the vast Insurance
interests OF this country. The United
States should In this respect follow the
policy OF other nations by providing
adequate national supervision OF COM
mercial interests which are clearly ma
tional IN character. My predecessors
have repeatedly recognised that tho
foreign business of these companies 10
an Important part of our foreign COM
meroial relations. During the admin
istrations OF Presidents Cleveland.
Harrison and Mckinley the state de-
partment exercised It's influence.
through diplomatic channels. to pre-
vent unjust discrimination by foreign
countries against American insurance
companies. These negotiations Illus
trated the proprlety OF the congress
recognizing the national character OF
insurance. for In the absence OF fed
eral legislation the state department
could only give expression to the
wishes OF the authorities OF the several
states. whose policy was ineffective
through want OF uniformity.
repeat my previous recommended
tlon that the congress should also con-
slider whether the federal government
has any power or owes any duty with
respect to domestic transactions In In
surnnce OF an interstate character.
That state supervision has proved In
adequate Ia generally conceded. The
burden upon insurance companies. and
therefore their policy holders. OF con-
fiicting regulations of many states, Is
unquestioned. while but little effective
check is imposed upon any able and
INSCRIPTIONS man who desires to ex-
plot the company In his own interest
at the expense of the policy holders
and of the public. The Inability OF
state to regulate effectively insurance
corporations created under the laws OF
other states and transncting the larger
part OF their business elsewhere Is
also clear. AS remedy for this evil
OF conflicting. ineffective, and yet bur-
dcnsome regulations there has been
for many years widespread demand
for federal supervision. The congress
has already recognized that interstate
insurance may be n proper subject for
federal legislation. for In creating the
bureau OF corporations II authorized
II TO publish and supply useful In
formation concerning interstate cor
porations. Including corporations en-
gagged in insurance" II Is obvious
that IL the compilation of statistics be
the limit of the federal power, IL Is
wholly ineffective to regulate this
tween the states. and as the insurance
business has outgrown in magnitude
the possibility of adequate state SUI
pervision, the congress should care
fully consider whether further leEisla-
ton can he had. What Is said above
applies with equal force to fraternal
and benevolent organizations which
contract for life insurance.
Under the subject Of national revenues
the president makes pea for the enact
ment OF reciprocal arrangements between
this and other countries. but does not ask
70: any tariff legislation at the present
time. In the same connection he asks for
economy In appropriations.
Business Methods in Departments.
On the subject Of graft" in the several
government departments that have been
under investigation he says:
At various times / have Instituted
investig ga tons into the organization
and conduct of the business of the ex-
ecutive departments. While none OF
these inquiries have yet progressed
far enough to warrant final conclu-
sions. they have already confirmed
and emphasized the general impress
sion that the organization OF the de-
partmcnts Is often faulty in principle
and wasteful In results, while many
OF their business methods are anti
quated and inefficient. There Is every
reason why our executive govern
mental machinery should be ut least
as well planned. economical ana
efficient as the best machinery OF the
great business organizations. which ut
present is not the case. To make IL
so is a task OF complex detail and es-
sentially executive In its nature: prob
ably no legislative body. no matter
how wise and able. could undertake 1t
with reasonable prospect of success
I recommend that the congress con-
slider this subject with n view to pro-
vide by legislation for the transfer
distribution. consolidation and assign
ment OF duties and executive organize
tions or parts OF organizations. and
for the changes in business methods
within or between the several depart
ments, that will best promote the
economy. efficiency and high character
OF the government work.
Federal Elections.
On the subject Of federal elections he rec
ommends That It be made unlawful for po-
litical parties to receive campaign con-
tributions from the corporations. and also
that Il be made unlawful for corporations
TO give such contributions. and In this con-
nection he says:
Contributions by corporations to any |
purpose should be forbidden by law;
directors should not be permitted TO |
use stockholders money for such pur-
poses; and. moreover. prohibition OF
this kind would be. as far as II went, |
an effective method OF stopping the |
evils aimed Mt in corrupt practices |
acts. Not only should both the ma
tional and the several state legisla-
lures forbid any officer Of corpora
ton from using the money or the cor
poration in or about any election out
they should also forbid such use OF |
money in connection with any legisla-
tion save by the employment OF coun-
sci in public manner for distinctly ie-
gal services.
The Hague Conference.
The Hague conference and the sub
iect of arbitration generally Is treated
~ at considerable length. and In this
an explanation Is given OF
this governments connection with the
coming conference in the Following
words:
The first conference Of nations held at
The Hague in 1899 being unable to dis
nose of all the business before 1t, recon-
mended the consideration and settlement
OF a number OF important questions by
another conference to be called suose-
ouently and at an early date. These
questions were the following: az Tine
rights and duties OF neutrals; I'd the
limitation Of the armed forces on land
and sea. and Of military budgets; tSl the
use of new types and callbers OF military
and naval guns: "a the invlolabillty OF
nrivat Re property at sea In times OF war;
~ .ha houha rdment of ports, cities and