The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1906-04-18
RECOMMENDS INSURANCE LEeIs.
LATioN IN SPECIAL MESSAGE
TO CONGRESS.
NECESSITY FOR ACTION APPARENT
ENcLosEs DRAFT OF ELL PRE-.
PARED BY RECENT CHICAGO
CONVENTION.

Washington, April 18.-President
Roosevelt has transmitted to congress
an important message relating to In
surance legislation. Accompanying
the message were the report and rec
/ concentrations of the insurance con-
vention which was held In Chicago last
February. Among the recommends
tons is the draft of bill which con-
gress is urged to enact into law with
such amendments as its wisdom may
suggest. g.
The president urges the enactment
of the proposed measure as, he says,
we are not to be pardoned il we fail
to take every step in our power to
prevent the possibility of the repeti-
ton of such scandals as those that
have occurred in connection with the
insurance business as disclosed by the
Armstrong committee. The text of the
message follows:
ITO the senate and house of represen-
tatives:
Il herewith transmit the report and
recommendations of the insurance con-
vention which met in February last.
The convention was called because of
the extraordinary disclosures of
Wrongful Insurance Methods
recently made by the Armstrong leg
islative committee of the state of New
York, the suggestion that it should be
called coming 20 me originally from
Governor John A. johnson of Mime
sofa through Commissioner of Insur-
ance Thomas D. O'Brien of that state.
The convention consisted of about 100
governors, attorneys general and COM
missioners 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
United States Of a proper insurance
code for the District of Columbia
which might serve as model for the
several states. Before adjourning the
convention appointed committee Of
three attorneys general and twelve
commissioners of insurance Of the
various states to prepare and have
presented to the congress a bill which
should embody the features suggested
by the convention. The committee re.
Gently met in Chicago and in thorough
and painstaking fashion sought to pre-
pare a bill which should be at once
protective of policyholders and fair
and just to insurance companies and
which should prevent the y.
Graver Evils and Abuses
of the business and at the same time
forestall any wild or drastic legisla-
ton, which would be more harmful
than beneficial. The proposed bill is
discussed at length in the accompany
ing letter by Superintendent Thomas
e. Drake Of the department of insur-
-ance 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 it's wisdom may dictate.
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 COM
mittee of that convention which for:
mulated the measure herein advocated.
We are not to be pardoned if we fail
to take every step in our power to
prevent the possibility Of the repeti-
ton of such scandals as those that
have occurred in connection with the
Insurance business as disclosed by the
Armstrong committee