davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1907-04-07
HEARING.
"sTOCK PROPOSITION. BEING IN
vEsTIGATED


For seven hours yesterday officers
OF the insurance department of the
Stat eand representatives. of life In
snrance companies Intercepted and
answered each other in order to make
as plain as possible the points of the
stock proposition" and similar induce
ments by which the companies encour-
age prospective patrons.
The inquisition was the finale of an
investigation of all special .nducement
practice semployed by life insurance
companies and IL is intended that the
Attorney General shall render an opin-
ion upon such of these special in
ducements as are now being used by
the companies In Alabama. What is
known as the stock proposition, a
plan by which the taker of a policy
becomes possessor OF stock In the
agency cmpany, Is the special feature
under consideration, as most other
mooted questions have been satisfac-
torily settled.
Hon. Frank N. Julian. Secretary Of
State, and ex-officio Commissioner Of
Insurance, Captain A. c. Sexron( Dep.
uty Commissioner of Insurance. and
Hon. Alex NJ. CARRIER, Attorney Gen.
eral Of the State. represented the De-
pertinent Of Insurance at the session
Of States officers and representatives
Of insurance companies Yesterday.
Speaking for companies were Captain
Frank s.. White of Birming h I'm. Hon.
Sidney ]. Bowie Of Birmingham, Hon.
Ray Rushton of Montgomery President
Porter Of the State Mutual Life In
surance Company, of Rome. Ca, and
l.. H. Dean, Of the same company;
and representatives of life insurance
companies were present.
The stock proposition" was consid-
cred In detail, representatives Of the
companies being questioned as to the
purposes and the workings of the plan
1t Is an inducement offered by what
are known as agency companies'
which contract to secure business for
the underwriting companies for a
percentage of premiums, and affords
to persons tnsuring an opportunity TO
acquire, in addition to the policies they
secure. ownership of stock of the
agency companies.
The Insurance Department, by the
Investigation, and with the assistance
OF the Attorney General. purposed to
ascertain If the stock proposition was
in conflict with the laws of the State
prohibiting rebates, or other dfscrimi
nations. The Attorney General will
base his opinion upon the informations
acquired yesterday and upon other
facts the Department will afford him.
The investigation of special induce
ments" offered by life insurance COM
panies transacting business in Ala
bama was commenced by Mr.. Sexton
when he was Deputy Insurance Com
missioner under Hon. e. r. McDavid,
whose term of ONCE as Secretary of
State and Commissioner of Insurance,
expired in January, 1907, and 1t has
been continued under the present Sec
rotary and Commissioner, Mr.. Julian.
At the request of the Insurance De-
partment, Hon. Massie Wilson. then
Attorney General, on July g. 1905. rend-
cred an opinion on advisory board
contracts" which were then in general
The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1907-04-07

use by seneral companies. BY the
terms of those contracts takers Of poll
icies were to be beneficiaries. in part.
of premiums paid by persons after
wards taking policies in the company.
The Attorney General quoted the stat
ute:
mo life nor any other insurance
company nor any agent thereof. shall
make any contract Of insurance. nor
agreement as to policy-contract, other
than Is plainly expressed in the policy
issued thereon; nor shall any such COM
pany or agent pay or allow, or offer to
pay or allow as inducement to insur-
ance, any rebate of premiums payable
on the policy nor shall any particular
policy holder Of the same class be al
lowed any advantage in the dividends
or other benefits to accrue thereon or
any valuable consideration or induce?
ment whatever, not specified in the poll
icy-contract Of insurance.
The Attorney General expressed the
opinion that III in practice the tran
saction amounts to benefit. rebate
or discrimination in favor of an indivi-
dual policy holders of q class, not en- :
loved by all theirs of the same class.
and is not carried out as bano fide
contract of employment. then II Is vio-
Iation Of law"
The use of advisory board con-
tracts" has been given mp by the COM
paniss. After 1t came the stock pro-
position" and on January 1. OF the
present year. Deputy Commissioned
sexton, acting for the Insurance De-
partment, declined to issue licenses
to companies which would not agree
to discontinue employment OF the
The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1907-04-07

Cool Head Saved Lives of Many Aboard
Burning Steamboat.

Cool Head Saved Lives of Many Aboard
Burning Steamboat.
New York. April 6.-Seven passen-
gers and score of the crew of the
steamboat City of Troy. witch was
burned in the Hudson River at Dobbs
Ferry, arrived in the city early today.
The passengers looked little worse for
their experience, but 1t was different
with most of the crew.
They were asleep In their hunks
when the fire was dicovered and had
no time to get together their belong
ings.
All agreed that Captain Bruder, the
skipper of the City of Troy, had acted
wisely in the crisis. They said he was
the bravest man on the boat and i.
was not until the last person had been
safely landed, that he made his way
through the smoke to the pier at Dobbs
Ferry.
r. A. Keller. of Troy, N. Y, in
speaking of Captain Bruder's cool
headedness says:
The skipper came into the saloon
and Informed US in q cool business
like way that bad luck had come our
way and that the boat was on fire.
Several of the women appeared to be
on the verge of going into Mysteries,
but the skipper had foreseen all that
the greatest danger Of all lay in their
losing their heads Then he told us
what to do and where to go and hur-
ried back to his place on the bridge
and directed the boat into her pier.
The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1907-04-07
PEACE IS PROBABLE
CENTRAL AMERICAN VAR MAY
SOON TERMINATE.
Rnportant Conference Held In WASH
nngton That May Call n Halt to
Bellgerents. Developments
soon Expected.

washington, April s.--secretary Root
ana Mexican Ambassador Creel today
decided that the time was ripe for con-
certed action to termina e hostilities
N Central America IL that result could
be accomplished by moral and earnest
representation, beyond which point
neither the United States nor Mexico
q willing to go.
This conclusion was reached after a
patient study of the daily develop
ments of the war between Nicaragua
ana Honduras and long abstention by
the neutral Governments OF central
America and the United States and
Mexico from any Intervention between
the be1ligerents in vain hope that they
would themselves come to terms or
peace without involving the remainder
OF Central America.
The appearance in Washington of
Minister from Salvador with large
powers believed also TO be authorized
TO speak for Honduras. seemed to af-
ford the opportunity for diplomatic ac-
tion here. Therefore, a series of con-
ferences began early today at the state
department between these interested
The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1907-04-07

parties which II is stated by the partic-
ipants probably will lead to a peace
full settlement of the troubles. and
moreover, one that will endure longer
than the few months that frequently
marks the life Of these Central Ameri-
can compacts. The basis for the
agreement Is yet to be defined in its
details, indeed. 1t was stated that be-
yond the agreement among the parties
to the conference that the time had
now come for action by them the plan
had not been perfected. notable act
wasathe absence of the NicaI Lgan Min
lister Senior Corea. 1t was suggested
that the purpose of the conference
would be to frame an agreement for
the future settlement of all disputes
between Central American countries
and submit this to Nicarauga and re-
quest her adhesion. failing which that
country would find herself standing
alone among the Central American
States and without their sympathy. 1t
Is believed few days will bring about
important developments and that eth
er peace will be declared or a general
" r will follow between Nicarauga on
one side and the remaining four states
on the other.
The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1907-04-07

Failure ut Boston.
Boston, April 6.-The failure of
The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1907-04-07
propmtlop until it's Legality could ,.

ascertained.
The companies agreed, and they have
acted In Accord with their agreement.
The investigation made yesterday will
result in omcial decision OF the legal
ity Of the plan. which. 1t is presumed.
will be determined In great part as was
the legality of tn" advisory board con-
tract. that is upon the issue whether
It is used as a rebate or discrimination
or q bona fide costratt of employment.
It Is used exclusively by agency COM
panles which will be examined as to
their ability to fulfill their agreements
to make good the stocks issued oy
them as inducements.
The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1907-04-07
GRAFT ON THE IsTHMUs.

Roosevelt Takes Up Complaints -
Cro0kedneHs Of C0mmfssary.
q Washington, April 6.--The President
has taken up the complaints affecting
the Commissary Department on the
Isthmus Of Panama that have come to
him as a result of recent visits OF
members of Congress. He has assured
his callers that tho allegations AFFECT
ing graft in that department and other
complaints shall be looked into
promptly and will be set right.
The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1907-04-07

Norfolk. Va, April 6--The long
shoremen's strike here continues with
the old Dominion Steamship Company
and the Merchants and Miners Trans
portation Company, each working up
wards Of 100 men. The OLD Dominion
has several ships here with cargoes
still unloaded
The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1907-04-07

Stavropol. Russia. April g. Four
peasants were killed and three wound
ed yesterday in a conflict betwesn VIII
layers of Jalga and some rural police-
men who had arrested a peasant. The
police were forced to abandon their
prisoner and retire.
The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1907-04-07
WILL NOT SPREAD.

Central American Countries Heartily
Sick Of Fighting.
Washington, April 6.-The war be-
tween Honduras and Nicaragua, ac
cording to FREDERICK Mejia. the new
Salvadorean minister, to the United
States. will likely be settled without
The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1907-04-07
GERMAN ARRESTED

supuosed to be Anarchist Seeking
Queen Alexandra's Life.
Toulon, France, April 6.--Queen
Alexandra and Princess Victoria ar
rived here today and went OH board
the royal yacht Victoria and Albert.
The police arrested German on
small steamer in the vicinity OF the
royal Yacht. The man, who could not
explain his presence on the vessel,
was detained on suspicion Of being an
anarchist.
The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1907-04-07

MONDAY SPECIAL.
70 pounds standard GranuIated SUI
gar for 81. 90, Monday only.
BROCK GROCERY CO.,
Is N. Perry. Jos Highland Ave.
Watson's weekly Jeffersonian., 1907-08-22
PAGE TWELVE
Death of the Tribune.

(Contlnued from Fage Nlne.J
man, as / am and therefore he made up his
mind to have paper of his own, SO that he
could say things when they occurred to him.
So he scraped together a handful of old
type borrowed some ink, stole an empty cigar
box that had been thrown away, and by put
ting the accumulated pelf together, found him
self in possession of the physical machinery for
the getting out of paper, not much bigger
than Jack rabbits ear.
This mammoth sheet was called the "Wool-
hat" and, while it was little, it was loud The
things it said about wrongs and abuses, large
robbers, big thieves, rich knaves and confeder-
ated political rascals, was simply scandalous.
Much of what it said was entirely out of or
der, unparliamentary to the last degree, rev.
olutionary in it's character, incendiary in its
vocabulary, and shamefully true in every es-
sential respect.
Watson's weekly Jeffersonian., 1907-08-22

The "Woolhat" looked good to me, even if
it was fuzzy and small, and I have copy
filed away among the relics which are kept to,
remind me of "old times"
The little paper, yellow with age, speaks
to me of mans honest endeavor, of consecra-
ton to earnest conviction of toll, of sacri-
flee, of suffering, of certain patient heroism
which in the sight of God may be as sublime
as that of the soldier who storms the heights
SO the "Woolhat" lies among my papers,
where it has lain these many years, close to
the banners the Populist ladies and girls used
to make for me, hard by the withered wreaths
that were brought to Our meetings, in the stir
ring days when the land was ablaze with a
noble enthusiasm.
Seventeen years ago, or fifteen years ago, or
but thirteen years ago-it seems another age,
another world.
These crumbling wreaths belong to by-gone
era; these banners to an epoch of the past;
Watson's weekly Jeffersonian., 1907-08-22
WHAT THE SOLONS DID AND
WHAT WAS NOT DONE.

Continued from Page One.)
followed in the senate, where it was
openly charged by three senator's
that the governor had lobbied with
changing senators in manner which,
if the same had been done by rail
road attorneys, would have brought
forth howl of protest.
The adamantine nature of the SEN
ate on this subject all but caused an
extra session. The senate time and
again refused to accept three COM
missioners, and the governor was
about to call an extra session to have
this bill enacted into a law when the
change of heart and votes took place,
and the bill was accepted as amended
by the senate shortly before midnight
Saturday night.
The house also amended this bill
so that if the governor has the right
to appoint two additional commits
sioners to serve until they or their
successors can be elected by the peo-
pie, he cannot name the chairman,
but that officer is to be elected by
the commissioners. It was also fixed
in the house that the commission is
to have the power to regulate gas,
electric and water power companies
and in addition to all these, cotton
compress companies.
II was upon the motion of Mr..
Hall that the Office of attorney to
the commission was created with an
annual salary of $4,000, and this
place is to be filed by appointment
from the governor.
So while the house did not pass the
bill first, it was the amendments Of
that body which were finally enacted
into a law. In the same way the
disfranchisement bill which came to
the house for amendments got one of
the strongest clauses attached which
goes into the proposed constitutional
amendmenC.
1t is in the third clause under
which registration is to be had, if
the amendment is ratified by a vote
Of the people. This is the "good
character clause" which is to stand
for all time and is not to be limited
to 1910 or 1911 as was suggested by
the senate. Other than this the ad-
ministration bill was passed just as
received from the senate. ~
Senate on House Bills.
The senate was not so kind to the
house bills. Members graduated
from the house Of last year to the
senate or this, insisted that senate
bills instead Of house h;Il- A--~--e
Watson's weekly Jeffersonian., 1907-08-22

ures of great Importance to be acted
upon. AS reinforcer of the prohi-
bition law the house Saturday night
passed the bill which prohibits the
sale of narcotics, except on physi-
Clans prescriptions. But the bill by
Mr. Mundy, of Polk, making it a
felony instead of a misdemeanor to
sell intoxicants, prohibited by law,
was not passed.
The greatest interest had been
aroused over what has been commonly
called the "water power bill," that
was tabled Saturday night and killed
for the session. This bill provides
the right Of eminent domain for pub
lie utility corporations, and gives
them the right to condemn other wa
ter power companies for the public
good. After hard fight the senate
reported the bill favorably; the
senate passed it; the house spe-
cial Judiciary committee reported it
favorably; it was set for a special
order and tabled. The house took
the position that there was too
much involved in the rights granted
to allow hurried passage, and on
the brink of enactment it was showed
into pigeon-hole to remain year.
Central Investigation Killed.
One of the most important and far
reaching pieces of legislation that
was allowed to go over without en-
actment was the Hardeman resolu-
tion calling for the appointment of
a legislative commission to investi-
gate the alleged ownership of the
Central of Georgia by the Southern,
any other corporation or individual
in violation of the constitution Of
Georgia.
The people and press of the state
begged for this commission. The
house committee on railroads report
ed the resolution favorably; it was
adopted by the house, reported favor
ably in the senate, and-tabled.
Killed for year. In the meanwhile
these corporations have an opportun-
ity to adjust themselves to Satisfac-
tory conditions.
Another important resolution not
acted upon was that by Mr.. John
son, of Jasper, which called for the
creation of commission to investi-
gate who is getting the benefit Of re-
duced freight rates since the rates
have been reduced to the jobber and
the prices to the consumer continue
to soar skyward.
The general assembly also failed
to create a board Of legislative In
quiry as provided for in the resolu-
ton by Mr.. Barksdale, Of Wilkes
county. The commission was to take
Watson's weekly Jeffersonian., 1907-08-22

laws, as has been in the case in for
mer years. The Wright anti-lobby
bill was passed early in the session,
but Notwithstanding it was one Of
the strongest planks of the Macon
platform, it was not enacted, into
law. In the senate it was so emaciat-
ed that the author declared he would
never recognize it as his measure. It
was sent to the house again, which
body refused to concur in Che senate
amendments, thus sending it to the
lumber room for lost legislation.
A like fate befell the plank in the
Macon platform in regard to the an
ti-pass evil. The house bv a unani-
nous vote passed the Hall anti-pass
bill which prohibited corporate cour-
tesies to city, county and state Off
cials. The senate passed an admin
istration measure prohibiting these
courtesies to all persons except en-
ploves.
Saturday night, or Sunday morn
ing, according to the old town clock,
the house tried twice to get the Hall
bill mp so as to non-concur in the SEN
ate amendments, buts each effort fail
ed and this bill, too, went to the
lumber room.
SO much for the big four.
By the legal order of things the
house had the general tax act and
the general appropriations bill first.
Tax Act Causes Prolonged Session.
The general tax act was the bone
OF contention, which swung the ses-
sion far into Sunday morning. II
was that little section of this I'M
portant measure which placed the
tax on social clubs keeping intox1-
cants in lockers. BY reason Of the
close relation to the subject matter
it was swung into another prohibi-
tion fight and it looked as though an
extra session would be necessary to
get this clause accepted by both
houses.
Sunday morning at 3:15 it was
agreed to tax these locker clubs $500
instead Of 5000 as proposed by Mr..
Wright in the house, or $4,000 as
proposed by the senate. This COM
promise was not effected until the
general assembly was worn out, tired
and sleepy.
The greatest loop-the-loop of the
session took place in the house on
this bill in regard to the income tax
proposed for all public utilities.
The governor sent a special message
to the general assembly asking for
an income tax on all railroads in
the state. A section to the act taxing
all public utilities, including rail
Watson's weekly Jeffersonian., 1907-08-22

roads, was offered, and after much
debate was voted down. The house
declared against income taxes. An
amendment to the act calling for an
income tax on the manufactures of
soda fount syrups was offered and
voted down.
The next day second section to
the act was offered eliminating GER
tain utilities, short telephone lines,
water power companies and the like,
but imposing a l per cent tax on
other utilities, and after much de-
bate, mirabile dictu, was adopted
This put the members on record
as favoring an income tax.
AS a joke, an amendment to tax
the manufacturers Of patent medi-
cines, copyrighted soft drinks, and
the like, was offered and adopted.
In quick order amendments were of
fered and adopted levying similar
tax on sewing machine manufactur
ers, telephone and telegraph compa-
nies, express, Pullman parlor car
companies, and the like. Thus COM
pletely reversing house form.
The house a few days before had
refused 10 accept an amendment to
tax locker clubs $4,000, but when
Mr.. Wright, of Floyd, one of the pro-
hibition leaders, made a plea for
$500 tax and asked that there be
no opposition, there was none, and
this tax was levied.
This bill went "to the senate, and
the senate sent it back" but greatly
changed in appearance. All income
taxes had been eliminated.
The house, which week before last
was "against-for" income taxes, was
this time square against income taxes,
and voted to leave that tax act.
The senate had raised the locker
tax to $4,000, and the house refused
TO have it. This brought on the dead
lock, which was only broken by the
compromise Sunday morning.
In the same way the general ap-
preparation bill was handled. A rec
ord for dispatch of this burdensome
bill was made in the house, however.
Every amendment offered by the able
chairman of the general appropria-
tion bill, Mr.. Gambler, Of DeKalb,
was accepted, and the bill passed in
a single day, an unheard of event.
School Fund is Raised.
The house refused to raise the
common school fund to 100000,
but when the senate stood out for
that amount for 1908, instead of
$1,s5O,0OO, as fixed in the house, the
house concurred, as it did for several
other minor appropriations.
This disposed Of the general meas-
Watson's weekly Jeffersonian., 1907-08-22
Special to Subscribers.

If you should receive bundle of Sample
Copies of Watson's Weekly, please understand
that you are earnestly requested to hand out
these extras where they will do the most good.
We will thank you very much if you will CO.
operate with US to this extent.
Watson's weekly Jeffersonian., 1907-08-22

this faded "Woolhat" e a generation that ID
gone
The little paper started by the one-horse
farmer grew into larger weekly and then into
a daily, and was mighty educator of the
people, In like manner, the Populist move
ment of fifteen years ago, grew from small
beginning until it overshadowed the land.
The Daily Tribune is now dead, just as the
great Populist organization is dead; but nei-
ther the paper nor the creed are any more lost
the world of living things than were the seed
which the sower went forth to sow.
Watson's weekly Jeffersonian., 1907-08-22
Senate on House Bills.

The senate was not so kind to the
house bills. Members graduated
from the house Of last year to the
senate or this, insisted that senate
bills instead OF house KILL A~-~--e