Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1906-02-10
CRIMINAL SUITS
UP TO GOVERNOR
Insurance Probers Report to Penn
sylvania Legislature.
WANT FEES AND TAX REDUCED

eSuch additional information as may
come before IL.
The committee calls to the attention
of Governor Pennypackcr and Attor-
ney General Carson the testimony Sc
cured by II which may tend to estab-
lish malfeasance in Office on the part
of former Commissioners Luper, Lam.
bert and Durham and some Of their
subordinates, especially that which re-
lates to receiving the actuarys com
pensation and also TO the illegal fees
said to have been taken under Dur
ham
The committee has not yet decided
when II will hold its next sitting II
at all At present It's members say
Il has no information which will jus.
tify a continuation OF the investiga
ton. Should any information be laid
before the committee. however a meet
ing will be called to consider IT,
What the Probers Revealed.
Following in brief are the facts
brought to light by the insurance in
vestigating committee which sent its
report to the Legislature
Acturial fees paid either by volun-
tary agreement or by compulsion. to
commissioners. or their personal rep
resentatiyes. as follows.
George b. I.uper sl5.S33.
James H. Lambert. s2S,1S3,
Israel w Durham, $4,000.
Edward r. Eccles. 1890.
j. Clayton Erb. slil.223.
Carried ON the pay rolls OF the in.
surance department by Israel w. Dur
hams order for no actual work r.
NJ. j Reed Charles p. Gray. Edward
j. Davis and Israel Stone.
No check on insurance department
by auditor general and state treasurer.
No audit of accounts OF any state
department for % years
Insurance department Is the only
one that does not file sworn pay roll
with state treasurer
Accommodations
The committees report reviews the
testimony at great length and then
makes the following recommends
tons
First-That the insurance commits.
sioner, as we'll as all other officers.
employees, servants and agents OF the
commonwealth so far as practicable.
should be on a salaried basis. and that
all fees now authorized or hereafter 10
be authorized by law should be paid
by the commissioner 10 the state treas.
urer for the use OF the state.
Second-That the actuary Of the in.
surance department should be an Off
Ger OF the commonwealth, required TO
act exclusively in that capacity. for
which he should receive salary OF
$4,000 per annum and be provided with
an adequate corps OF competent assist
ants. to be on a salaried basis
Third-That instead of examiners Of
insurance companies being selected
promiscuously and paid by the com
panies examined. one or as many ex-
aminers OF insurance companies as
may he necessary should be salaried
officers of the commonwealth and that
the cost OF the examination OF insur.
ance companies when made by him
should be upon fixed rate proportion.
ate 10 the work done, and its cost paid
into the state treasury for the use OF
the state
Fourth-Fees and charges OF the In.
surance department and taxes paid by
Insurance companies should be re.
d,gaI on &c 10 laoaap tho burga, ,,cr
the policyholder
Flfth-There should be a complete
reorganization OF the clerical force In
the insurance department and the
present system of allowing the insur
ance commissioner 10 draw upon the
state treasurer for any sums he may
consider necessary as an expense of
the Office should be abolished.
Sixth-Provision should be made for
a quarterly audit OF the accounts OF
the various state officers receiving
money or having in their control or
subject 10 their charge any contingent
fund. either by special officer consti.
tuted by law for that purpose or
special assistant in the office OF the
auditor general
Seventh-The committee further
recommends to the attention Of the
governor and the attorney general the
Testimony given which may tend 10
establish malseasances by former Com.
missioners George y, Luper James II.
Lambert. Israel W Durham and their
subordinates. and especially In so far
as II relates 10 the receiving OF a part
OF the actuary's compensation during
their respective administrations. and
also 10 the testimony that during the
administration of Israel W. Durham
the state was defrauded by vouchers
being granted and payment made for
services which had never been rem.
dered or for which there was no legal
liability.
Aged Man Frozen 10 Death.