El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-07-21

a fair test Of the principle under an eff
fective and comprehensive law 1t was
inconceivable at the time OF the enact
ment of the law that the legislative In
tention would be so warped by tortured
and technical construction as to furnish
the insurance companies an opportunity
TO levy additional tribute and suppress
the people. The fact remains, however,
that the Insurance companies are at
tempting to avail themselves of their
surprising opportunity, and are pro-
ceeding along lines which will necessa-
rily result in a loss to the insuring
public of hundreds of thousands Of dol
lars per annum.
Companies Are Presumptiye.
The law which was intended to secure
reasonable and fair premium rates I'M
der regulations fair and just 10 all has
been given an Interpretation by the in
surance companies which was never in
tended. Corporate greed again asserts
itself and combination of circumstan-
ces, with which the public is familiar.
have brought about the intoierable stu
alton which demands legislative action.
Conditions have arisen which demon
strate the inadequacy of the law as
framed, and as an effort to amend the
law must result in further complica-
tiOnS and difficulties, the following
procedure is respectfully recommended
/. The passage of a bill repeating the
law referred TO outright.
p The enactment Of an adequate law
to prevent combinations by the insur-
ance companies 10 destroy competition
in fire insurance rates in Texas; pro-
viding appropriate penalties therefor
and providing means Sor the enforce
ment of same.
3. The enactment of a law regulating
and controlling fire insurance companies
doing business in this state and the
regulation and control Of fire insurance
premium rates; TO establish and fix
rates and 10 effectively prevent the use
of what is known as the key rates" re
Gently promulgated by the fire insur-
aDce companies. Such a law as may De
enacted should provide proper penalties
for, all violations of the law and en-
brace ample provisions for the enforce
ment thereof.
4. The enactment of a law prescribing
the condition under which fire insur-
ance companies chartered under the
laws of other states may secure per-
mits to do business in Texas and pro-
viding that such companies shall show
by appropriate proof and in manner and
form to\be prescribed by the law that
the company has never at any time I'M
dertaken to dominate legislation by
threats to withdraw from the state and
that the company has never at any time
Withdrawn from this state or ceased to
do business in Texas on account of any
law enacted by a legislature OF Texas
Fire insurance companies and other
corporations undertaking to dominate
legislation by threats that actually
withdraw from the state or cease to do
business in the state for such reasons
should not be permitted to Renter the
state on any condition and adequate
laws in this respect are respectfully
recommended.
Some More Subjects.
There are other important subjects
that will be presented for the attention
and consideration Of the Legislature at
an early date, but for the present the
following additional subjects only are
presented to your honorable bodies for
consideration:
l. The enactment of suitable and eff
fective laws to prohibit the exhibition
of prize fights or glove contests by
means of the moving picture films or
other devices, in moving picture shows
or elsewhere, by any association, cor
poration or individual. and also to pre-
vent immoral exhibitions by and through
such agencies.
.. The enactment OF law making ap
appropriations To construct. enlarge anu
equip additional buildings for the care
and treatment of the negro insane at
the state asylum at Austin and for 9TH
er necessary repairs and equipment for
that institution.
Ample provision has been made for all
the insane except, perhaps. rs negroes
now confined in county jails. for whose
care and treatment accommodations |
should be provided without delay
I will again communicate with the |
during the coming week, |
and from time to time as the welfare of |
the people may demand. Very respect I
fully,
T. NJ Campbell,
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