Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-11-25
A GREAT VICTORY ron THE
coMMoNWEALTh.

ampton county. six of them seven farm
ers and ali of them men without any
direct or personal interest in the IN
sarance question generally or the,
Nesnort News situation particularly.
has said that the officers and com
mittecmen of the Southeastern Tn
aerwriters' Association were guilty oil
q malicious act. in wanton disregard
of the rights OF the public. when they
arbitrarily imposed an increase OF ten
ner cent. in rates OF fire insurance
upon the people OF Newport News. IL
Is peculiarly gratifying to this paper.
and no doubt to the local public gen.
orally, that this verdict was rendered
by a Jury drawn from distant coun-
ty. II cannot be said that the con-
vic,jon OF the insurance men Is the
biased action OF Newport News citi-
xens. swayed by the feeling OF resent
ment prevalent against the insurance
combine in this community. 1t Is not
merely a blow in answer to the blow
stuck the local insuring public by
the combine In an effort to dictate
to the municipality. 1t is the verdict
Of a jury composed of disintereste2
men, on their oaths to give the ac-
eused fair trial according to the
Law and the evidence.
Just what the effect OF this verdict
viii be remains to be seen. A motion
for a aew trial is pending, and II this
IS overruled the defendants in all
probability will take the case to the
Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals.
Even when the verdict has been az
firmed by the highest court In the
State. IL II Is 80 affirmed. there hard
~ will be any immediate apparent
change in the fire insurance situation
in Newport News or elsewhere In the
State. The rate-making power still
remains In the hands of the combina-
ton, as Judge Barhams ruling Is that
the mere fixing and controlling of fre
insurance rates by combination is
rot 0niawful. Probably the increased
rates In this city will continue In et-
feot---if may be that the companies
can be restrained by injunction from
continuing to collect this penalty
which the jury says was imposed ma
lieiousiy and in wanton disregard OF
the rights of the public. though this
phase of the situation has not been
zone into. Bu; whether or not there
Is any Immediate change that may be
seen oa the surface. the victory won
by the commonwealth viii be ~
reaching in it's effects. In the FIRST
place. II win teach the insurance mon
that. while under the present laws,
as construed by Judge Barham. they
may combine 10 FIX rates, they can
not tack on increases in wanton dis
regard OF the interests CT the public;
hat they cannot buli-doze municipal
isics with their ~pink-siips." What is
more. Il will bring the intolerahie
conditions existing to the attention OF
The people Of Virginia in such a WAY
that The next general as emily viii
- compelled 10 enact legislation reg
r.atiaS the conduct OF the insurance
business in the State. The insurance
compsnics viii have their LOBBY At
Richmond when the matter comes up.
as they had when the Wharton Law
<as repealed. but We believe the de-
mad for legislation viii BE- so vide
<4rczd that the members Of the as
sennIy win act dare refuse 10 act.
even though a majority Of thea
should desire 10 refuse
commopzceiih's Attorney Berxe-
l<s. spscsdidiy supported BY T. N.
f.stf and W C. Stuart. WIN a. loyal
and patriotic citizens volunteered
fheir services 70 the state - - at
.vrness 81 law. has wen great vic
rory Az ignorant commonwealth :
sfscIn.y would not have kBc~n that
here rss any lzr under which The
certtrc could be rc<che@. and ,cnIJ
csrrzzcoD and energetic o1c,'
<S1;S hive ssr<d - .sckie such q