New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-11
INSURANCE LEGISLATION.

rho hearing on the insurance bills reflected
credit both on-the critics OF the proposed meas
ures and on the committee which drafted them
! A. certain amount of opposition to the bllis mas
I manifested itself in the form OF denunclauohs
and threats. but the gentlemen VINO spoke ID
/ the Assembly Chamber addressed themselves
10 the reason of the lawmakers WIN Asu-
ments which are certainly worthy OF serious
consideration The demonstration itself was a
testimonial to the reform worked by the in
vesfigation A few years ago other methods OF
expressing the wishes OF the insurance conpa-
MES would have been adopted. Personal sohcl-
tation indirect influence and all the Iorms OIL
more or less legitimate lobbying. not 10 men
ton plain corruption, would have been e1er-
csed TO defeat or 10 delay unwelcome leg1sla-
ton To-day we see the opposition resolved
into matter Of open debate.
Legislative hearings have long been consid-
cred rather an empty form for those who wished
openly TO appeal TO reason 1t was understood
that the questions at issue were really settled
elsewhere. The investigating committee, how
ever. made it plain that it was open 10 argu-
ment, and the hearing had a serious significance
as a step in the perfection Of legislation. Sen
ator Armstrong; speech at the opening or the
session was in excellent temper and admira-
bic as an exposition Of the attitude or the
committee He wanted every sound suggestion
that could be made. invited criticism ana was
ready to be influenced by it The committee
had undertaken q serious task and was going
about it seriously. with a sense of its responsi-
buitv. His declarations must completely dis
arm those who professed to think that the COM
mirtee having formulated fits recommendations
was disposed 10 ride roughshOd over everybody
Insurance interests must see that any wise sug-
gestons which they have to offer will receive
hospitable consideration, and at the same time
they cannot have failed TO understand that no
appeal 10 anything but reason will have the
slightest weight 1t is useless for companies
TO talk about leaving the state or for agents to
hrag Of the political influence which they can
command at the next election. The commit
tee which probed the insurance scandals IN the
face Of tremendous pressure for concealment is
not Influenced by such suggestions, but it does
offer the representatives Of insurance compa-
MES the opportunity 70 cooperate IN leg1sla-
ton which could not have been given them be-
fore the recommendations were made without
misconsuucuon. The committee was bound to
come 10 its own conclusions. and could not, be
fore reporting, safely submit even its technical
recommendations 10 the criticism Of the COM
pany actuaries: but now IL Is able TO consider
their suggestions and profit by them
Undoubtedly the recommendations or the
Armstrong committee are in general wise.
Even the insurance presidents concede that
Possibly some Of the proposals Of these presl-
dents may be adopted without injury 10 the
general plan of reform. No doubt If the com
mittee. after considering the recommendations
with an open mind, thinks any Of them can
safely be accepted, the general public will be
perfectly satisfied. If, on the other hand, the
committee which has so commended itself TO
Intelligent judgment rejects the propositions,
public opinion will certainly insist upon insur-
ance legislation along the lines which Senator
Armstrong and his colleagues may still, after
the hearings. consider wise.