The Topeka state journal., 1909-03-19
| WILL TAKE HAND
Insurance Commissioner Barnes
Ready for Business.
New Law Gives Him Right to
Regulate Insurance Rates.
THE ELDRIDGE BOOK.
Rates Fixed by Topeka Bureau
Not Satisfactory.
Stringent Provisions to Prevent
THE ELDRIDGE BOOK.
Stringent Provisions to Prevent
Giving Rebates.

minister the new law passed by the
last legislature which gives his de-
partment the right to regulate in
surance rates. He will soon send out
letter to the various insurance COM
panies doing business in the state Civ
ing his Interpretation of the law.
These companies are now using the
Eldridge rate book. The department
is of the opinion that the rates in this
book are too high and points out as
evidence in support of his theory that
the companies have for many years
taken over twice as much money out
of Kansas as they have brought into
the state. When profits pass the
mark of 100 per cent this is indication
that there is something wrong with
the rates.
The new law also helps local agents
in a material manner as it prohibits
them from splitting their commissions
with customers. The law prohibits
rebates and makes both the agent and
the customer liable to a heavy penalty
for any violation of this provision.
''The department." said Mr.. Lewis,
"will see that the anti-discriminatio
clause of the law is strictly enforced.
We will not only prosecute every viola
ton of this clause but will cancel the
license of the agent who does any re-
batting. Everybody must be treated
exactly alike in regard to insurance
rates"
The principal provisions of the new
law are as follows:
When the superintendent of insur-
ance shall determine that any rate
made by an insurance company in
this state is excessive or unreaSOnably
high. or that said rate is not adequate
to the safety or soundness of the
company granting the same, he is
authorized to direct said company to
publish and file a higher or lower
rate, which shall be commensurate
with the character of the risk but in
every case the rate shall be reason
able.
No fire insurance company shall en-
gage or participate in the insurance of
less the schedule of rates under which
such property is insured has been filed
in accordance with the provisions of
this act; nor shall any fire insurance
company write any insurance at a rate
different than the rate named in its
or refund or remit in any
manner or by any device any portion OF
the rates so established. or extend to
any insured or other person any privi-
leges, advantage. favor. inducement or
except as is specified in
such schedule.
Any fire insurance company entering
into any contract of insurance on prop
erty located within this state for which
no rate has been filed by such company
shall within 80 days after entering into
such contract file with the Superintend-
ent of insurance. in such form as may
be required by him, a schedule of such
property showing the rate thereon and
such information as may be required
by such superintendent of insurance.
Such schedule shall conform to the gen
eral basis schedules and when filed shall
constitute the premium rate of such
company for the described property.
All schedule and local tariffs filed in
accordance with the provisions of this
act shall be open to the inspection of
the public and such local agent shall
have and exhibit to the public copies
thereof, relative to all risks upon which
he is authorized to write insurance.
The live stock commission men of
Kansas City. Kan, and live stock ship
pers from all over the state have sign
ed and presented a petition to the state
railway board to compel the railroad
companies entering Kansas City to
eliminate the long delays that occur
between the time the stock enters KAN
sas City and the time 1t is delivered at
the stock yards. The petitioners claim
delay amounts to thousands of dollars
year.
The supreme ocurt has made a new
ruling in regard to the filing of claims
for costs and expenses in cases. Here
after the cost of the transcript of rec
ord, stenographer's fees, etc, shall be
taxed costs in the case only when a
clerk not later than ten days after the
case is decided. The opposite party
may file objections thereto not later
than twenty days after such decision.
The custom has been to file claim for
costs in cases as long as a year after
they had been decided.
Two old timers were talking today in
the lobby of the state house about ma
chinery. One of them thought that Cy
Leland was the best machiniSt in the
state, even if he had retired now from
active public work. The short man
ter I. Longs ability in the mechanical!
line and pointed with pride to the early
creations of the man from Medicine
Lodge. Then these two old boys began
to discuss Governor Stubbs' machine.
They belonged to the old school of po-
litical mechanics and spoke disparag-
ingly of the governors methods but
agreed that the man from Lawrence
machine OF them all. 1T has a hundred
cog wheels" said one, land ball bear
ings of the drop forged kind. 1t has
sails and also runs by motive power.
Not much oil is required and the fur
mace fueS only need cleaning once in
two months. I don't like the blame
machine; it is too modern. 1t has a
primary revolving shaft that has killed
many fine fellow who was merely
standing around looking at it. It's ap-
pointments are numerous and perfect
and should preserve it from choking up
with rust. They do say that the last
legislature cut off the supply of gaso-
line for the critter and coal oil is now
being substituted
The tall man, who was smoking a
pipe, here started in to give his honest
opinion of this machine, when a young
man came out of the governors office
and remarked as. he walked by that
Harris had refused to take the job Of
fered him on the agricultural college
board, and this mads the tenth ap-