The Washington times., 1906-05-14
House Committee on
Judiciary Considering
AmeS Bill.
PRESENT LAW TOO LAX
Would Have District Courts
Pass on Standing of All
Companies in Country.

Hearings were begun today by the
House Committee on judiciary on the
Ames bill. which is intended to revolu-
tionize The life insurance business of the
whole country, and 20 make the insur-
ance department of the District of Co
lumbia the final arbiter Of the standing
Of every insurance company in the
United States.
Explanations OF the measure were
made by Thomas D. O'Brien. State in
surance commissioner Of Minnesota. and
Thomas +. Drake. superintendent of in
surance in the District of Columbia. and
Representative Butler Ames of Nassa-
chusetts. author Of the bill
In the committee room were all the at
.torneys and representatives Of insurance
companies in Washington. with men dis
tinguished in the business from all parts
of the country.
Mr.. O'Brien was questioned closely by
members Of the committee. who sought
70 bring out that the bin really provides
for Federal control Of insurance. a prom
osition which the committee has already
turned down Mr.. O'Brien said il com
bines all the good points. but eliminates
all the bad features. Of Federal control
Of insurance
Would Fix High STANDARD.
The purpose Of the bill is to fix fol
the District OF Columbia such high
standard Of insurance law that II will
be a model.
Mr. Drake declared that at present the
insurance laws of the home Of the na-
tion are Of the poorest"
Thomas d O'Brieh. Of ST. Paul. ex-
planned 20 the committee that the
present form Of the Ames bill contains
oil foot
recognized best features of insurance
laws throughout the States. and has
as its new features" the laws on IN
surance recently adopted by the New
York Legislature.
The bill before the committee. he
said. provided for the District OF CO
lumbia : controlling. in way. all the
insurance companies of the cOuntrv
nat Is, the insurance department Of
the District shall make examinations
of insurance matters in the states
when the state Insurance authorities
shall request such action.
Representatives IittIeneld and
Henry made the point that this would
amount TO Federal control Of the in
surance business. a control which the
committee on the judiciary has voted
down as unauthorized.
Wants Department That Can Control.
Mr.. O'Brien said an he wanted was
n great. strong central insurance de-
which shall combine all the good feat
ures Of Federal supervision and eIimi-
nate the Objectionable features" He
did not care whether the Department
OF Commerce or Labor or some other
authority controlled it,
He argued that II would be mani |
Testify advantageous for a State COM
missioner Of insurance to be able to /
call on the District Of Columbia com /
missioner 10 find out ANYTHING the
state commissioner might want 10 |
know about an insurance company in |
his particular State
In other words" said Mr. T4tt1o
neId. You want 10 make the District !
OF Columbia a clearing house for All 1
the insurance companies in the United \
OBrieu- S'iu MI
Representative Alexander said II was
patent to him that the bills purpose is 1
20 unload on the Federal Government /
al tho work that the Individual states /
nave 10 do, now perhaps imperfectIv' |
In regulating and investigating com !
IdHitS- lie men wanted 20 know if the /
Federal Government could do this work /
Delter than the State governments.
District Would Be Well Equipped.
Mr. O'Brien said the Federal Govern
snent would be the best agency for such
work because it would be better eouipped 1
for such work and would attract TO IL
self men OF the best class
Replying 70 query from NTr Little
field, Mr.. O'Brien admitted that a.
though the bill does not conDei Sver,, a.
insurance company in the United States
10 come 10 the District of CoIrInbia fov Z
clean bill Of health il could be so
(COuffU1red far,