The state herald., 1907-07-12

agents in their work, but by their
fraudulent practices, they have destroy
ed the confidence of many people in in
surance generally and thereby deprived
still larger numbers of the insurance
protection which they woull otherwise
have had.
These men, therefore, are not mere
petty offenders: they are public enemies
and should be suppressed. With this
object in view it was provided in the
new insurance laws, effective July first,
1907, that:
No person shall solicit an applca-
tion or contract of insurance without a
license from the insurance department,
under penalty of fine andimprisonment.
2-Only persons of good reputation
and character are TO be given licenses.
3 No agent shall accept business
from person who has solicited it with
out license, under penalty of revoca-
ton Of his own license.
4 Agents. solicitors or brokers who
knowingly deceive or dcfraud person
being solicited for insurance or policy
holder. will have their license to do bus
mess revoked and the revocation pub
lished in the newspapers.
9 Such persons shall also be subject
to fine and imprisonment for procuring
premiums by Misrepresentation.
II is the intention of the commission
er to use his full authority in enforcing
these laws. II is. however. Of the ut
most Importance that the public refuse
to do business with any person solicit
ing insurance who Is not provided with
n license from this department.
Every person who Is victimized, or
upon whom nm attempt at fraud has
been made. should promptly report the
matter in writing and cooperate with
the department in bringing the guilty
person TO account. In order that no In
justice may be done. the complaint must
be supported by proof. No license will
be revoked without giving the holder
thereof an opportunity Ia be heard.
II will Of course be impossible for the
commissioner To be familiar with the
character and reputation Of the people
To whom the 5000 licenses are annually
issued-that duty will fall upon the
companies employing them but the
commissioner will not hesitate To revoke
or TO refuse To renew, the license Of
any agent or solicitor who comes under
this prohibition. provided that evidence
is supplied justifying such action.
The attention Of the public In cspeei-
ally invited To that part Of the new law
which provides n penalty for any com
pany or agent who directly or Indirect
y offers or gives rebate Of premium
ON life insurance policy, and which al
40 makes II criminal oironsc for any
person insured TO accept a rebate.
This Is Of vital importance 10 the in
surcd In view of the fact that the nc
ceptanec Of such rebate might be held
To invalidatc the policy contract, " the
contract should be- attacked In the COURT.
The object Of these laws, and the
purpose Of the commissioner In onforc-
ing them. Is To reduce irregular prsr-
tees and wrong doing generally In In
uurance 10 the lowest possible minimum
and thereby protect the public and In
crease its confidence In Insurance m an
Institution.
In his efforts IA accomplish these OBJ
jcc,n, the commissioner is assured Of
the cordial support Of the officials and
agents Of the insurance eampanics, and
he hopes To receive equally effective
support from the inHuring public
Yours truly.
T.. ". RITTENHOUSE.
! Commissioner.