The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1910-04-12

motion or defeat of legislation, such
inquiry not to be limited to, but SUIT
ably to embrace, the matters adduceo
in the recent proceeding by the senate
and those presented by the report
herewith submitted to the superin-
tendent of insurance that, SO far as
evidence may be obtainable the actual
facts may be known, that there may
be full understanding of the meth
DDS and agencies employed in connec-
ton with legislative proposals and
we'll considered recommendations for
the appropriate remedy may be made
Superintendent Hotchkiss in his re-
port says the result of the investiga-
ton thus far warrants the statement
that legislative expenditures in New
York by insurance companies, were
particularly conspicuous in the years
1901, 1903, 1904, 1905 and 1909, and not
ably significant in two or three of such
years.
What Hotchkiss Says.
These disbursements" he said,
were made by individual companies
in connection with legislation effecting
such companies, by syndicates of COM
panies, apparently willing to do this
work for all, and by the New York
board OF fire underwriters, a corpora
ton supported by annual assessments
on practically all the companies doing
business in New York, such assess
ments being based on premium income
and whose committee on laws and leg
islation is, by it's laws, charged with
responsibility of watching over legis-
lative affairs.
The moneys so paid were disbursed
for travelling expenses of individuals
| and delegations, annual and special re-
tainers of regular counsel, SO called
retainers of legislative lawyers, con-
tributions to political committees, gifts
or payments to men of political prom
inence and influence ard entertaining
legislators and others at times in
somewhat lavish manner.
THE aggregate of disbursements of
this character as the records now
stand-such disbursements being
largely from the treasures of fire in
surance companies-approxima and
probably exceeds $150,0001'
He says disbursements for travelling
expenses and to counsel for services
before legislative committees doubtless
are legitimate but 1.-The size, frequency
and limited distribution of payments
to so-called lawyers and legislative
agents resident in Albany are suspi
cious and seem to call for further in.
quiry through an investigation of
broader range than is possible under
section 80 of the insurance law"
Superintendent Hotchkiss, summar
iZing, says:
Evidence Not Conclusive.
I'm short, while absolute proof show
ing the transit of money from the
bank account of an insurance company
into the hands of the bank account
of a legislator is lacking, the record
of the investigation as thus far made
up warrants the statement that dur
ing the decade, particularly in the first
five years of the decade, a system of
bill-killing and law getting had been
established which is a reproach to the
state. That such system existed prior
to 1900, is also apparent from the facts
developed
The message was received with
marked attention in both houses. 1t
was referred to the finance committee
in the senate and to the committee on
ways and means in the assembly.
Senator Travis of Brooklyn tonight
offered a resolution proposing the ap-
pointment of a committee of three CT
items, three senators and three as
semblymen to conduct an inquiry. Fiji
ty thousand dollars is asked to defray
expense of the commission. The res
olution was referred to the finance
committee.