Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-10-15
DRYDEN ASKS QUESTIONS
New jersey Senator Sounds Public 0piniO n
On Insurance Regulation:
REQUESTS VIEWS OF PoucYHoLDERs
Circular Letter Takes Up Proposed
Federal Law CHASING Business
as Interstate COM
mcrce.

NEW YORK, Oct. l4.-For the purpose of
securing a comprehensive expression OF
public opinion on the question of national
control of life insurance companies United
States Senator John F. Dryden has sent
out many copies of the following circular
letter, with the appended list of questions
to be answered:
NEWARK, N. J.-My Dear Sir. In his
Vast annual message President Roosevelt
called the attention of congress to the
fer the regulation and control of Insurance.
companies transacting interstate and inter-
national business. In compliance with, an
increasing demand from insurance policy
holders and others interested in the public
welfare l introduced into the last congress
should be established witbin tSe bSres enepe
corporations division of insurance, and
That policies of insurance were deemed to
pc articles or commerce and instrumental
ties thereof. This was introduced too late
TO secure final consideration, but the de-
mand for such measure has become even
more apparent in the meantime, and eX-
pect to reintroduoe the same, possibly with
slight modification into the congress which
is to meet In December. .4-
The bill wifi be introduced on behalf of
the policyholders of all American insurance
companies, in the firm belief that their
present and future interests demand the
additional protection Of federal statute
regulating Insurance transactions between
sne Sy9ites IN d addtiTn OF course to such
ally belongs to the states OF which the
companies derive their charters. Further
more. that by eliminating a considerable
amount Of needless state supervision the
following important benefits are expected
J.. An increase in the security of the
policyholders.
. A decrease in the expense rate and the
8. A decrease in the burden Of needless
taxation.
4 A decrease in the amount Of clerical
1aH .sNwa N3,.1N Il a..
quirements OF some fifty states and terri
tories.
s. The stamping out of fraudulent insur-
6. Adequate national protection for Amer
lean companies transacting business in for
eigr countries.
Since thus far Interstate insurance trans
actions have not been brought within the
scope of congressional action. desire to
secure an expression Of views from the In
terests affected by such q measure, and l.
therefore. take the liberty Of troubling you
with few questions to which / would Ike
to have you reply either yes or no. as the
case may be- together with any additional
comments OF your own which you may wish
Venien t kindly All in and return to me the
attached blank In the enclosed stamped en-
velope and accept In advance my sincere
In my effort to secure a comprehensive ex-
preston OF qualified public opinion upon
matter vitality affecting the welfare Of the
American people. / am very truly yours,
JOHN, F. DRYDEN.
l. Do you endorse the suggestion OF Presi-
dent Roosevelt that insurance companies
engaged in interstate insurance business
should be regulated by and brought under
the control of the federal government?
2 Do you hold the insurance business TO
be a national rather than a local interest
and properly entitled to the solicitude and
care OF the national government
3 IA a matter OF personal opinion do
you hold the business OF insurance to be
commerce or an integral and indispensable
element OF commerce in the sense in which
this term is used In everyday lanyuage7
4 Are you IN any way apprehensive that
Il would be inSSpedient or inadvisable TO
Increase the power OF the federal govern
ment to the extent Implied in the regula-
tion of insurance by congress?