The Minneapolis journal., 1905-11-26
READERS WRITE
ON MANY TOPICS
"A LUVERNE MANS VIEW OF THE
INSURANCE SITUATION.
He Says the Insurance Companies and
the Insured Have Not Been Treated
Fairly-What Shall a Young Man Do
on a "Close' Sunday in Minneap-
oils?
DO the Editor Of The Journal:

AS The Journa has shown dis
position to open its columns to its sub /,
scribers for the discussion of matters of
public interest, I wish to add little to
what has already been said pertaining
to the insurance situation.
Practically everything that has been
written on the subject has been of a
condemnatory nature and of tone that
would tend to undermine the confidence
of the public. This disposition On the
part of those who underrate the great
good that has been done and is being
done by these great institutions is much
to be dcplored. The part taken by the
daily press Of the country has been de-
cidedly unfair. It has evidently be0n
the purpose Of the press to give but one
side of the case to the public and over
look the great benefit that the public
is daily receiving froN the insurance
companies. Day after day the papers
come out with glaring headlines record
ing the wrongdoings of those in trust of
the policyholders money, but all the
good words that have been written in
defense of life insurance as protection
of the interests of the widow and or
phans has been relegated to some OBJ
scure position in the paper where the
chance of it's coming before the reader g
eye is remote indeed.
Publicity Good Thing.
As a policyholder in one Of the COM
panies that has been on the "grill,'
am glad that the investigation is being
held, as I am fully convinced that the
policyholders chance of a square deal
is increased by turning on the lime
light, and if wrongs exist publicity will
correct them. 1t would be equally just
to say that because graft exists in our
government as a nation that therefore
our system Of government is a failure,
as to condemn life insurance because a
few Of It's leaders have been charged
with abusing the powers Of their Of
fee.
Publicity Is good preventative of
the abuse of public trust, but am fully
convinced that after a careful review
of the whole situation, having had op-
portunity Of considering both sides of
the case, that the piss Of the country
has been inclined to impress the people
with the idea that life insurance has but
one object in view-graft. AS purvey'
ors Of news and molders Of public opin
ion, it was not only the duty Of the
press to give full record of the pro
ceedings Of the investigation, but also
to admonish the policyholders that the
solvency of the various companies has
not been questioned, and that they
might rest assured that in the event OF
their death their benefciaries would
receive every cent that their policy
called for. Undoubtedly many unwary
ones have been led to drop their poll
cies on account Of the position taken by
the press, and many widows and orphan
may be denied the benefits that woult
have been theirs had the press take1
the proper attitude.
"a Good Investment
That life insurance has been goo
investment is evident from the fact
that may be had from the commission
ers' reports. The one I am intereste
i'm as a policyholder, the Mutual Life
has paid in addition to the guarantee
contained in the original policies owe
$112,OOO,OOO in the form Of profits, G
in the vernacular Of life insurance, div
dends This, coupled with the fact tha
this one company alone is making dali
payments to it's pohcyholders Of nearl
$4,000 is convincing evidence to m
that life insurance has not only bee
a protection to the family, but a goo
investment as well.
As a fair-minded paper T h 9 u
nal has no peer. But in my humb
opinion, the desire for the sensations
has led it along with the others to fo
get it's duty to the public by not givin
the life Insurance question fa
"shake.' It Is the duty Of the pre-
to square themselves with the best 1
terests Of the public by warning the
to hold on to their policies (even To
Lawson does this) and assure them th'
when matters are adjusted they wi
get what every American believes i