The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-08-29
TWISTING STOPPED
nrsoRIMISArrcNs , slss,EITTED s FIT FROM
Deputy Gommissioner sextoe sfenpea fn with order to Protect Mutual Aid Associations and
 PolfcyhoIdera.

Circulars which Deputy Insurance Commissioner 4. O. sexton recently sent to the officers of mutual aid as- sociations forbidding the practice or twisting" seem to havt had wnoie- some effect. The heads of those com such illeritimate methods have ex- pressed their gratitude to the Insur- nnce Department in the matter.
 If ia said that the horror of all life fnsurance aRents is the ''twister." He is everywhere the object of scorn Laws have been framed to catch him and punish him. but few there De
 The The sarne practice of twisting which fnfests the ordinary life insurance business in every state has for sev. erai months past eaten It's way Into the agency systems of the mutual Aid societies There is no law in Alabama which prohibits the habit of persuad- ing a poiicyholder to change his policy from one company to another. for that Is what Is called twisting"
 There Is a law on the statutes which. however. forbids determinations and rebates. It is under this section of the insurance code that Deputy Com missioner Sexton acted.
 The average policy of the associa- tions known as mutual aid" provide certain sick benefits and accident in demnities in consideration of the weekly payments of premiums. Tn the event of death the full face of the poll icy is payable for funeral expenses. There are many concerns in this class doing business in Alabama. and wher- ever they have shown an inclination to do business straight apd comply with the laws regulating their conduct the : Department has encouraged their ex- ietsnce and success.
 Several months ago complaints be- gan pouring into the Departmentl of twisting" on the part of competitive aeents It was reported that the hold CTS of certificates in one company would be approached by agents of an other company who claimed that his Organization was stronger, better and more liberal Such representations are very common among solicitors, but the agents ovsrsteppsd the legal bounds when. in order to get the busi- Aess of the prospect. they offered to give him all the benefits in the new company which had accrued on account of the duration Of the old policy.
 where Deputy Commissioner Sexton stepped in to interfere was on the point of discrifnination. While the enersetic agents promised to give ac- crued benefits to the holders of poli- aiee in cornpstivs companies the same proposition was not inserted in those holictes which were sold to persons not already fu some ether association. This was hefd out to be discrimina- tion. The department so ruled.
 Circulars were recently sent to all officerg and agents of mutual aid As- sociations in which the Commissioned threatened ali agents with prompt pro- AecuEion if they continued the practices of.twisting and discrimination.
 Deputy Commissioners Sexton dee eiares that no discrimination of any character win be allowed by the de- pertinent. Considerable surprise was expressed that agents should be given the authority to endorse special and extraordinary benefits across policies for some buyers and deny the same to the next purchaser. It is looked upon as case of lax business snethods.