The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-02-07
FIGHT OVER
INSURANCE
Undercurrent of Opposition
to Farber and Babcook
Measures Develops.
GOVERNOR IS ALARMED
Hanly's Message Recommending
Passage of House Bill, Significant
Several Actions Taken.

IT develops that a bitter fight has
been waged and is being waged against
what, up to this time has been thought
TO be rather unimportant feature of
the Babcock house and the Farber SEN
ate insurance bills. Both of these bills,
as reported back to the house and SEN
ate, Tuesday, provide that a separate
department shall be created, and that
the governor shall appoint the head
of the department, the insurance COM
missioner.
In the open hearings on this bill
there was some opposition to both Of
these provisions, but the fact that the
new department would cost practically
4the same as a department under the
jurisdiction of the state auditor. seem
ed to be sufficient answer to the OBJ
jections urged. Hence the members of
the joint committee voted unanimously
to retain the separate department fea-
ture Of the bills.
Within a day or two, however, there
have been undercurrents to change
the opinion OF the members of the leg
islature on this point. The democratic
argument against multiplication of
fectively, and the indications point to
serious detection on the part OF some
one high in republican councils on
this point.
The governors special message urg-
ing the passage of the Babcock bill.
submitte to the two branches yester-
day indicates the feeling of uncertain
ty that exists. Efforts are made to
bring the republican members into line.
Insurance Bills All In.
With the introduction of two bills by
Senator Ganiard yesterday it is un-
derstood that the important insurance
measures have been introduced into
the general assembly. These two bills
relate to the distribution or crediting
of dividends. and prevent an unwieldy
surplus being built up. Three other
bills introduced Tuesday-preventi
campaign contributions. the issuance
of misleading estimates. and discrim-
nations between members of the same
class of insurants-to gether with the
fundamental Babcock bill, about com
pletes the tale of insurance legislation
that is being asked for by the leaders.
In connection with this 1t is interest
ing to note that at the hearing of the
State Life examination before the state
auditor yesterday it developed that
Charles f. Coffin IS technically not a
director of the company at all. He
was to have been reelected at the
meeting of the directors last month.
1t was his turn, and the intention was
TO re-elect him. Through some mis-
take, however. the name of Samuel
Quinn. whose term has not expired was
proposed and he was elected. The
error was not discovered until the
kIeckner Labor Bill Killed.
Neither the house nor the senate did
much for their country yesterday. The
house killed the Kleckner labor bill,
endorsed by the state federation OF
labor after the representative from
the gas belt had declared that the pas
sage OF the bill would almost ruin
some Of the industries of that part OF
the state. The pure food bill of the
state board of health was sent to en-
grossment without opposition after the
appropriation for its enforcement was
cut from $4,000 to $4,000.
The senate passed the bill making
for uniform text books in all Of the
high schools of the state after Sena-
tor T. T. Moore's amendment provid-
ing that not more than one-fourth of
the books now in use shall be replaced
every year. had been incorporated as
part Of the bill. Only five Senators
voted against this bill-Wood Of Jack
son, Kirkman. Bland, Lane and Stots-
enbarg- Slack's Joint resolution. call
ins for an amendment to the constitu-
tion that would provide for educational
and property qualifications for voters
failed for want of a constitutional ma
Jority. II was to be brought up for
vote today again. Kirkman staid
within the party fold and voted against
the resolution. The vote stood u m
is in favor OF the measure. Senator
Parsons bill providing against the dis
tribution of medicine samples passed
the senate, also.
The house killed Representative
Suits bill forbtdding the granting OF
subsidies for steam and interurban
railroads by a vote OF 26 to 63. Bah
cocks inheritance tax bill was recon-
mended for indefinite postponement
The bill giving city councils the right
10 fix the price TO be paid for gas. cleo
tricity. heat light and telephone ser
vice was recommended for passage by
the committee and the report concur
red in
At least one temperance measure has
met its death in the senate. This body
mas passed the pima tigeE OH ana the
high license BILL but it baked yester-
day afternoon when asked to pass
Senator T. T. Moore's bill that would
have put the burden of proof in re-
monstrances upon the liquor interests
upon those who We're opposing the
granting OF the remonstrance.
Under the present Moore law the re-
monstrators have to prove the genuine