Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1907-03-13

officials are prevented from bring ing labOrrs into this country un-
 der contract. Senator Amis de" clares that this decision will not kill the purpose of his bill, as it will still be possible for the con- missioner of immigration to adver- tise the resources and advantages of the state in foreign countries and thus attract desirable immigrants. It will be impossible, however. to bring the immigrants into this country under definite contract.
 Insurance Situation.
 The insurance situation in Ar kansas has been further complicat- ed by the defeat of the Balch in snrance bill in the house during the past week. This bill would have nulified that portion of the antitrust law which forced sixty four old line fire insurance com panies to retire from Arkansas two years ago. The bill was fought on the ground that the legislature should not touch the antitrust law, which had been passed upon the de- mand of the people, as registered in the Democratic platform, and also that the local firee insurance companies should be protected against the insurance trust. The house did not stop with the de- feat of the Balch bill, but adopted a resolution offered by Representa- tive killough, urging the attorney general and other state officials to enforce the law rigidly and express ing it as the sense of the house that reinsurance is a violation of the law and should not longer be permitted. This resolution was oSvi- ously intended to make the law as obnoxious as possible, as Mir. Kill tough was a supporter of the Balch bill. Following the adoption of this resolution, several Missouri in- surance companies which have been doing business in this state have annouced their intention of retiring should be stopped, it will be left for the few local companies in the state to carry the 100000 of insur- ance which it is estimated is re- quired " the business interests of the state. That it would be impos- sible for the local companies now doing business to carry this vast amount of insurance, is admitted. The Arkansas association of local fire insurance agents has sounded an alarm by sending out circular to all insurance agents, advising them to cancel all risks and re- insure them before the end of the present month, as the situation is likely to be further complicated be- fore that time by the withdrawal of additional companies and the abandonment of the practice of re- insurins.
 An Extreme Measure.
 One of the most extreme bifls in troduced during the present session of the legislature is one which has been introduced by Senator Me- Knight, which would prohibit non residents from purchasing or ac- quiring any interest in any prop erty in the state of Arkansas. In speaking of this bill, Senator Me Knight admitted that it was more drastic than he had intended it to be and that it should be amended before being passed. He declared that his intention was to prevent foreign corporations from coming into the state and buying up great tracts of valuable land, which might otherwise be opened up to settle ment. He declared that in his conn ty foreign companies had bought up great tracts of land and after re- moving the timber, left it idle, holding at such high price that prevents it from being opened lip to settlement.