Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1910-06-30
WEBB MNALL DEAD
At GAYLORD, KAN.
Had Long Records for Strenuous
EndeavOE
AS INSURANCE COMMISSIONER
The Man Who Made Insurance Com
panIes Pay Losses In Kansas
and q Revenue to the
state.

Gayloard, Kan, June 25.--Webb Nc
Nall, former state insurance commits
sioner, died at his home. About fvl
years ago Mr.. McNall was. stricken
with paralysis. He was later able Il
leave his bed but only temporarily
He was widely known in Sixth distric
and state politics for many years AMI
was a large landowner. Mr. McNal
was a guest at the Copeland hotel thu
night 1t burned and made q sensation
al escape in the snow only half clad.
To Kansas In 1871.
Webb McNall dropped into the polit
teal limelight about as soon as he wen
to Kansas. He was born In Randolph
N. X, October II, 1S48, and went t.
Kansas In 1871. He settled on {
claim In Smith county when Gaylort
was Just being formed. His namt
stands az one Of the founders Of thai
town. Five years later McNall wal
/ in politics and he never ceased to b,
a leader in political AFFAIRS until thu
Populists finally lost control Of thu.
state and he was removed as superin
.tendent Of insurance by Gov. STANLEY
In 1899. Periodically since that time
McNall has had more or less to DE-
with political affairs OF the state.
First Elective Office.
In 1884 McNall received his frs
elective office. He was chosen a mem
Der OF the legislature by the Republi
cans. McNall was a Republican unit
the Populist days. But he was a re
form Republican, one Of the progress
sive men Of his party. While chair
man Of the committee on railroads hi
advocated strict railroad legislation
and was one Of the hardest workers
for a maximum freight rate bill in thai
session.
When Gov. Leedy was inauguratet
MeNall was appointed superintendent
Of insurance.
First offIclaI Act.
About the first official act OF the new
superintendent was one that caused Q
turmoil in political circles and in the
courts for years. He laid down a rule
that Insurance companies which die
not pay insurance claims should moi
be- allowed to transact business In
Accordingly he refused
licenses to the New York Life, the
Mutual Life and the Connecticut
Mutual Life Insurance companies be
,ause these companies had refused te
pay the policies in the cases brought
BY Sarah d. Hillmon for the collection
If the insurance held by her husband
He Won His Fight.
McNall was indicted by the federal
srand Jury for contempt and for at
empting to defeat justice In the Hill
non cases. Several injunctions were
brought against him. In all McNall
vas really victorious. He won those
hat came to trial and the others were
dismissed at the cost Of the insurance
companies. The next ruling was that
he old Clarkson rating bureau was a
ort Of trust organization among the
insurance companies. He barred the
bureau from the state and the courts
him.
McNall was deep student Of insur
lnce affairs, He worked out a planI
or the state to derive revenue from
he business Of these companies. Most
Il the companies had little property
n Kansas and there was no gay oil
axlng them for the business trans,
lcted He drafted law requiring the
companies to pay a tax Of per cent on
II insurance written In Kansas. This
rings into TIE state treasury about
100000 each year
4..--4. =. .l-.---- =-ti