Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-06-16
HOUSE INVADED BY
INSURANCE LOBBY
Continued From Second Page)

HOntlnuGQ OCtOAo Il eoOt
writer's Association was lobbying
against his bill. He said that hoperl
Leckey, Jr., of Richmond, ana other
insurance men we're opposing the Dill
on behalf of the underwriters associa-
ton. Randolph Harrison, OF. Lyncn-
burg. of counsel for the ASSOCIATION
also appeared against the bill, partic
ularly in 1908. Judge Williams sald
that the bill passed the legislature
again in 1908, but always died IN the
senate. He said that he went before
q committee of the senate to argue the
bill and he found that it had gotten
mixed" up with fertilizer measure
Ran Insurance lobbists Out.
Discussing the lobby supposed 10
Fave been maintained by the associ-
alton to his bill was very intense.
When the measure came up III ,he
house there was such MOP croWuins
the assembly room that he had the
sneaker enforce the rule barring
everybody except members, eX-meni-
hers and State officers from the ROOM
Judge Williams said that another ell
fort to get the bill through IN l9le
also failed
Cross-examined by Mr.. Bachelor
Judge Williams said that the cham
| hers of commerce and boards OF traoe
OF several cities adopted resolutions
opposing his bill and those of other
cities adopted resolutions asking Tor
| the massage of the measure. Mr..
, RatcheIor asked Judge Williams II he
did not live in county dlStrlct' anu
The witness said that he did he
had not, he said, made study OF In
! surance having been engaged all his
| life in practicing law
! Trust Raised Rates.
When asked why he had introduced
| the bill 10 reenact the Wharton law,
Judge Williams began giving MS
reasons and Mr.. Bachelor withdrew
| the question. However, Justice
Brown told him to proceed with MS
reasons. Judge Williams said that
after the Wharton law was repealed.
! a young insurance man came UP 10
Giles county and began liking insur-
ance rates. All of the rates were IN
creased and in some instances the IN
crease was as much as three hun
dred per cent. Judge Williams SAID
that he then determined that when
ne got to the legislature he would
find out the reasons for this increase
He investigated and learned that the
Southeastern Underwriters Associa-
ton was responsible for the Increases
and he Immediately determined TO
draw a bill legislatIlg them out of the
State.
Voted For and Against Bill
w. Z. Barrett. of the real estate
and insurance firm of Barrett and
West. was the next witness called
Mr.. Barrett was a member of the leg
islafure from this city in 1906 when
Judge Williams bill was before the
legislature. Several persons spoke to
him about the bill and because OF
| his interest in the insurance business
here he voted against the bill How
ever. in 1908 he voted for the re
enactment Of the Wharton law be
cause his people here were ciamor-
ing for its reenactment- Mr.. Barrett
aid that he had no love for the IN
derwri;ers' association. The associa-
ton had not given Newport News
what he considered equitable rates.
thought the basic rate had been reduc-
ed slightly IN most instances Mr..
Barrett recalled that Robert Jeckey.
IT.. was active around The legislature
IN opposing the bin. but Mr.. Leckey
said nothing to him about the meas
ure.
Cross-examined by Mr.. Read. Mr..
Barrett said that the insurance com
panies perferred a good risk al low
rates to a bad risk AZ high rates.
However. the companies would
Jake good risks at high rates, the wit.
ness said.
After The Wharton Law was repeal.
ed. Mr.. Barrett'e firm received It's
rates from the Southeastern Under
writers Association at Atlanta, Ca,
.uas The statement Of The witness IN