The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1905-12-09

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
tionai In character. Ny predecessors
have repeatedly recognised that tho
foreign business of these companies Is
mercial relations During the admin
istrations Of Presidents Cleveland.
Harrison and Mckinley the state de-
partment exercised its influence.
through diplomatic channels. to pre-
vent unjust discrimination by foreign
countries against American Insurance
companies. These negotiations illus
trated the propriety OF the congress
recognising tho national character OF
insurance. for In the absence OF fed
eraI legfsiation 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
ton that tho congress should also con-
slider whether the federal government
mas any power or owes any duty with
respect to domestic transactions In in
surance of an interstate character.
That state supervision has proved In
adequate ~ generally conceded. The
burden upon insurance companies and
therefore their policy holders. OF con-
nicting regulations OF many states. Is
unauestioned. while but little effective
check 10 imposed upon any able and
INSCRIPTIONS man who desires to ex-
ploit the company in his own interest
at the expense Of the policy holders
and OF the public. The inability OF a
state to regulate effectively Insurance
corporations created under the laws of
other states and transacting the larger
part OF their business elsewhere Is
also clear AS a remedy for this evil
OF conflicting. ineffective. and yet bur-
densome regulations there has been
Tor many years a widespread demand
Tor federal supervision. The congress
has already recognised that Interstate
federal legislation. for In creating the
bureau of corporations It authorized
1t to publish and supply useful in
formation concerning interstate cor
porations. Including corporations en-
gagged in insurance" 1t is obvious
the limit OF the federal power. II Is
wholly Ineffective to regulate this
form of commercial intercourse be-
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 legisla-
ton can be had. What is said above
applies with equal force to fraternaI
and benevolent organizations which
for life insurance.
Under the subject Of national revenues
the president makes a plea for the enact
ment of reciprocal arrangements between
this and other countries, but does not ask
for any tarifr 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 lie says:
At various times ! have Instituted |
into the organization |
and conduct of the business of the ex- |
ecutive departments. While none OF |
these inquiries have yet progressed
,ions. they have already confirmed |
md emphasized the general impress
sion that the organization Of the de- |
oartments is often faulty in principle |
Ind wasteful in results. while many |
" their business methods are anti
Iuated and inefficient. There Is every |
reason why our executive govern
mental machinery should be at least
rs well planned. economical and
sfflcient as the best machinery OF the |
great business organizations, which at
present is not the case. To make 1t
10 is a task OF complex detail and es-
executive in its nature; prob
IDLY no legislative body no matter
how wise and able. could undertake it
with reasonable prospect of success.
recommend that the congress con-
slider this subject with a view to pro-
vide by legislation for the transfer.
consolidation and assign
Il I... n At.rA .t.a-
ions or parts OF organizations. and
'or the changes In business methods.
within or between the several depart
nents. that will best promote the
efficiency and high character
II the government work.
Federal Elections.
On the subject of federal elections he rec
ommends that II be made unlawful for po-
itical parties to receive campaign con-
from the corporations, and also
that II be made unlawful for corporations
to give such contributors. 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. a prohibition OF
his kind would be. as far as IT went,
In effective method OF stopping the
wis almcQ at III corrupt pTdCeiSeS
acts. Not only should both the ma
.ional and the several state legisla-
lures forbid any officer OF corpora
ion from using the money OF the cor
in or about any election. but
hey should also forbid such use OF
money in connection with any legisla-
lion save by the employment OF conn- 4
sci in public manner for distinctly le-.
gal services.
The Hague Conference.
The Hague conference and the sub !
|ect of arbitration generally Is treated
Of at considerable length. and in this
an explanation Is given Of |
his governments connection with the
coming conference in the following
words:
The first conference OF nations held at
rhe Hague in 1884, being unable to dis
pose OF all the business before 1t, recon-
nended the consideration and settlement |
II a number of important questions by |
another conference to be called subse-
luentiy and at an early date. These
questions were the following: a. The
rights and duties OF ncutrals; (2) the |
Limitation OF the armed forces on land |
and sea, and OF military budgets; (5) the /
use OF new types and calibers Of military |
and naval guns; az the inviolability of |
private property at sea in times OF war: |
90 the bombardment Of ports. cities and |
by naval forces. In October.
1904, at the instance Of the Interparlia- !,
mentary union. which. at q conference |
held In the United States and attended