Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-05-18


The Associated Press dispatch an
nouncing the Great Western Life In
surance agency of Kansas city had
gone into the hands of a receiver,
came as no surprise to the officers
and members Of the Utah Association
of Life Underwriters. Judging from
what they had 10 say today regarding
the matter.
John ID. Spencer, chairman Of the
press and publicity committee of the
Association of Life Underwriters. was
seen by the News" today regarding
the matter. Mr. Spencer was the
t9srSt president of the association when
1t was organized more than three years
ago, and with the other members of
the organization, said he had been
fearful of some such happening for
long time. our legislative COM
mittee,' he said. made every effort
to secure the adoption of proper laws
at the last session OF the Legislature.
Because Of indefensible tactics and
la%ity on the part OF some of the
members, consideration was delay
ed until too late in the session.
and nothing was accomplished along
these lines, Because OF this. persons
have had almost clear field to ex-
plot the advisory board schemes, al
though the insurance department fin
ally stepped in and arbitrarily controlled
the practise. But harm enough has
been done as is evidenced by the
amount Of insurance placed. and the
number and kind of victims on the list
Tho press committee was appointed by
the president OF the association for
the purpose Of safeguarding the public
against these aud like insurance
schemes by publishing from time to
time authentic information along all
lines OF life insurance and to establish
reliable bureau where prospective
policyholders might ask questions and
set answers which would enable them
to know what they We're buying be-
fore reaching the stage of lapsing good
insurance and giving notes in pay
ment OF first premiums. But no
amount Of warning will serve some
people. Among the victims OF the
Great Western Life scheme are men
opposed TO anything except that which
they can get for less than tho other
fellow. Something FOR nothing Is
the hobby and IN vieNng what
the boosted shrewdness OF many
of the victims, / for one have but
very little sympathy for them.
blame few members of the last Iegis-
lHture for the damage done in the state
our committee showed cOncluslycly thgt
there We're companies doing business
here in Utah That could not Hi',
ness IN the state in which the compan-
les We're organized because of tho ,tDsp-
Lutte lack OF proper laws. II Is 10 be
nopod that this lesson will be effective.
Mr.. Spencer spoke highly OF the ef-
forts Of the insurance department OF the
state 10 put a stop 70 some of the prac-
tiscs now n vogue, among them that
of twisting an evil greater than any
IN the business which Is the inducing
OF pOlicyholders In one company 10
lapse insurance on which one or more
premiums had been paid I'm some re-
liable old line company.
NJ. J.. ROBINSON.
President Farrell Of the life associs-
ton Of underwriters is out Of the city,
but Secy. NJ, l.. Robinson, speaking for
him. had this 10 say
yes; ! saw the account of the fail
IRE OF the Great Western Life Insure
ancc agency OF which o. H. Van Lam
ingham is president. TINS y not sur
prise % me. II Is frequently the case
that only the managers OF general
agency are behind these special con-
tracts, and the special or advisory con
trpcts are sold, apparently without tho
knowledge or consent Of the company
itself. Under such circumstances IL Is
easy 90 conclude as 10 the value ~
''The association Of life underwriters
Welcomes 10 this territory an legitimate
companies and honest agents, but We
have "a further duty resting upon us,
that rs. TO wage an endless warfare
against any unsOund practises ~
agents or companies that solicit lnsur-
a.noe In this state This Is not a COM
pany on agents matter IN any IN
dvldual sense. as We have a broader
and bigger field IA cover and that ~
tho bettoiment Of the insurance eondl-
lions In this state
,'InaAmueh as the Great Western
Agency company holds The stock of
thr Great Western Life Insurance COM
many. the receiver. by the action dt
me court, win gel possession OF mo
assets OF tho Great Western llfe IN
suuuce company
cot sQulREs VIEW.
Col. George 3. squires deputy seore-
tary OF state, said todRy mat while ule