The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1906-04-18
ASKS FOR A
NEW LAW
Dealing With Evils Of In
Surance
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
Based on Recent Conference Held at
Chicago, Given to Congress-Uni-
form Procedure Desirable to
Forestall Wild Legislation.

Washington, d. G., April 1s,- Presi.
dent Roosevelt yesterday transmitted to
Congress an important message relating
to insurance legislation. Accompanying
the message were the report and recon
mendations Of the insurance conyeAtion,
which was held in Chicago last Feb
lruary. Among the recommendation is
the draft Of bill which Congress ~
urged to enact into law, with such.
amendment as its wisdom may sug-
gest.
The president urges the enactment Of
the proposed measure, AZ he says, ''we
are not to be pardoned il we fail to
take every step in our power TO prevent
the possibility Of the repetition of such
scandals as those that have occurred in
connection with the insurance business
as disclosed by the Armstrong commit.
tee.
| The text of the Presidents message
| follows:
10 the Senate and House Of Repre-
sentativps;
Il herewith transmit the report and
| recommendations, with accompanying
| paper, OF the insurance convention, which
met in February last at Chicago. The
convention was called because Of the
extraordinary disclosures Of wrongful
insurance methods recently made by the
| Armstrong legislative committee Of the
state OF New York, the Suggestion that
! it should be called coming to me orig.
I inally from Governor John A. Jahn-
son of Minnesota, through Commission.
en- Of Insurance Thomas d. 0'Brien OF
| that state.
'rhe convention consisted of about
100 Judges, attorneys general and com
missioners of insurance OF states and
| territories OF the union. The conven-
ton was seeking TO accomplish uni
formity of insurance Legislation through
out the states and territories; and, as
prime step toward this purpose. de.
cided to endeayDr TO secure the enact
ment by the Congress of the United
States of a proper insurance code for
the District of Columbia, which would
serve as model for the several states.
Before sijourning the convention ap.
pointed committee OF three attorneys
general and II commissioners of in
surance OF the various states to pre-
pare and have presented 90 the Congress
1 u bill which should embody the features
suggested BY the convention. The com
mittee recently met in Chicago. and in
| thorough and painstaking fashion they
sought to prepare bill which should
be at once protective OF polcyholders
and fair and just 90 insurance com
panies, and which should prevent the
graver evils and abuses of the bust.
ness, and, at the same time, forestall
any wild or drastic legislation which
would be more harmful than beneficial.
I The proposed bill is discussed at length
| in the accompanying letter by Supt.
| Thomas l.. Drake Of the department OF
| insurance in the District Of Columbia.
Il very earnestly hope that the Con.
gress at the earliest opportunity will
enact this bill into law, with such
/ changes as its wisdom niaY indicate.
| ! have no expert familiarity with the
| business. but | have entire faith in
the right Judgment and single ininded
purpose Of the insurance convention
which met at Chicago and Of the coln-
mittee of that convention which formu-
lated the measure herein aiYocated We
are not to be pardoned il We fail to
take every step IN our power 70 prevent
the possibility Of the repetition Of such
scandals as those which have occurred
in connection with the insurance bust.
ness as disclosed by the Armtrons com.
mittee.
Theodore Roosevelt"
"1hc White House, April IL, 1906"