Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-04-18
INSURANCE MESSAGE.
President Roosevelt Urges Strict Laws Against Graft.
CHICAGO CONVENTION DRAFTED BILL
"We Are Not to Re Pard0ned If We Fail to Take Every Step In Our Power to Prevent Such Scnn-
 daIs In Future.0

WASHINGTON, April 1S.- President Roosevelt has transmitted to congress an important message relating to in surance legislation. Accompanying the message were the report and recOm- mendations of the Chicago insurance convention. Among the recommenda- tions is the draft of bill which con gross is urged to enact into law, with such amendments as it's wisdom may suggest.
 The bill which accompanied the mes sage provides for an insurance bureau in the department of commerce and labor and the appointment of a con- missioner who shall not be interested in the business of any company except as a policy holder. Every company doing business in the District of Co., lumbia must be examined at least once every three years.
 The president urges the enactment of the proposed measure, as, he says, i've are not to be pardoned if we fail to take every step in our power to pre- vent the possibility of the repetition of such scandals as those that have oc- cured in connection with the insur- ance business as disclosed by the Arm- strong committee
 The text of the presidents message follows:
 T herewith transmit the report and recommendations of the Chicago insur- ance convention. The convention was called because of the extraordinary disclosures of wrongful insurance methods recently made by the Arm strong legislative committee of the state of New York, the suggestion that 1t should be called coming to me origi- nally from Governor John A. Johnson of Minnesota through Commissioner of Insurance Thomas O'Brien of that state.
 sThe convention consisted of about hundred governors, attorneys general and commissioners of insurance of the states and territories of the Union. The convention was seeking to accomplish uniformity of insurance legislation throughout the states and territories and as prime step toward this pur- pose decided to endeavor to secure the enactment by the congress of the Unit ed States of proper insurance code for the District of Columbia, which might serve as . model for the several states.
 Before adjourning the convention appointed a committee of three attor neys general and twelve commission CTS of insurance of the various states to prepare and have presented to the congress a bill which should embody the features suggested by the conven- ton. The committee recently met in Chicago and in thorough and painstak- ing fashion sought to prepare a bill which should be at once protective of policy holders and fair and just to in- surance companies and which should prevent the graver evils and abuses of the business and at the same time fore stall any wild or drastic legislation which would be more harmful than beneficial.
 T very earnestly hope that the con- gress at the earliest opportunity will enact this bill into law, with such changes as its wisdom indicates. have no expert familiarity with the business, but have entire faith in the right judgment and single minded pur- pose of the insurance convention which met at Chicago and of the committee of that convention which formulated the measures herein advocated"