The sun., 1906-02-24
The Next superintendent OF In
guranCe.

Az a somewhat interesting example OF
two ways OF looking at the same thing,
consider, first, Superintendent HEN
DaICKs's own estimate Of his official
achievements and record, as recently
reported by Governor HIoGlNs. The
Governor said recently Of the Superin-
tsndent Of Insurance.:
"He Is sincere In the belief that he has discharged
bis duties with fidelity, integrity and to the best
Of his ability"
The insurance committee of the Legis-
lature, after close scrutiny of the man
nsr in which Superintendent HENDRICKS
has discharged the duties Of his office,
recorded the subjoined remarks upon
the same subject:
1T would seem thas the Superintendent has
had ample power. and has been charged with tho
oorr,lstve duty, 70 inquire into and ascertain the
uasa actions OF insurance companies. TO the end
thai buses may be exposed and correct admlnistra
ton assured"
"Nor has there been suitable effort upon the facts
actually reported to detect and expose evasions
dee and double dealing In order avoid true dis
closure OF the companies affairs. For the most
part critical examination OF the reports so made
seems 10 have been neglected. and the verincaton
Of the annual statements has been LETT 10 e1Anina-
tions conducted at irregular intervals"
And further, not to make too long the
exhibit Of inadequaoy, incompetency and
dereliction:
Infrequent as have been the examinations OF
particular companies. they would still have availed
IN many instances TO disclose the conditions made
apparent By this investigation. had they been
vigorously conducted with the purpoSssf exposing
whatever abuses existed"
IT Is apparent that no suitable steps have been
taken 10 insure thoroughness OF the examinations
with reference TO othcia fidelity, or so to direct
by special Instructions. the course Of the Inquiry
- 70 safeguard tho interests Of pocyholders by
IN exposure OF wastcful expenditures corrupt
practices"
Tho nnal responsibility for this neglect must
rest with the Superintendent OF Insurance. Sup
srintendent HENDRICKS and his predecessors seem
uniformly 70 have relied upon the reports OF the
examincrs. and 70 have permitted them and tho
deputy in charge to conduct tho Examinations In
tAsir own way. practically without direction or
Interference
This condition has not resulted as has been
stated. from lack OF legal authority either to In
quire into the irregularities now exposed or to
compel reports which would have disclosed them
No substantial amplincatlon of the powers OF the
department seems necessary"
Most of the evils which have been disclosed
tiou hav heap ip,r< SSH
had there been vigorous performance of the duties
already laid upon the department. vigilant watch
fuiness In the interest Of poicyholders and oour
sgeous exercise Of the powers which the statute
soufer.-
We call attention especially to the last
paragraph quoted above. 1t is square
declaration that, in the opinion of Mr.
HUGHES, Mr.. McKEEN and the commit
tee, the existing law would have been
sufficient to prevent the conditions in the
insurance business disclosed during the
past year to the amazement of the world
if Superintendent HENDRICKS had been
the faithful public servant he is repre-
believing himself to be,
Severe as ls the arralgnment OF the
department by the committees report,
it Is inadequate SO far as concerns the
individual responsibility of Mr.. HEN
pRIcKs. His own SNUG satisfaction with
his perfunctory performance Of the duties
imposed upon him would seem grotesque
if the consequences of his failure in Office
had not been 80 tremendous.
No amount of new legislation, desra-
BILE and salutary as it may be, will safe
guard the policyholders in the future any
more than existing law has in the past if
the next Superintendent of Insurance is
another FRANCIS HENDRICKS or another
product Of the Boss system which put
him In that Office.