Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1911-04-01
INSURANCE LAWS
NOT ENACTED
Says Auditor Darst In Report-Enum-
Crates Some Laws Urged unsuc-
cessfully Upon the Legislature.

Charleston, w. Va, March 20. Audi
tor Darst. ex-officio insurance cammis-
sloner. In a bulletin Just issued from
hfs office, calls attention TO the failure
OF THE Legislature 10 enact certain lsg-
islation that was suggested not only
by the insurance commissioners OF the
various states OF the unioa, but by a
large number OF insurance companies
and societies Of the country.
The report also contains the fire
losses for the months and January and
February The losses for January were
$669, 722, and fer February $76.852.
The great loss in january was due to
the fires at Clarksburg. where the loss
amounted to $267, 800; at welch, with
$4,000; at Wilcoe, Mcdowell county,
with s65,500, etc. The only less OF
any size during February was at Nor
eantown, where the Morgantown &c
Kingwood railroad shops were des-
troyed. ss
In reference 70 the failure Of the
legislation tn pass what he deems
needed Legislation, Mr.. Darst says:
Probably this greatest disappoint-
ment OF the session WIS the failure of
the legislature to consider the bill rec
ommended by the National C0nven-
t5cn OF Insurance Commissioners, and
endorsed by the Associated F'ratenni-
ties OF America and the National Fra
ternaf Congress, which provided ulti-
rnately for adequate rates for the Fra
ternal Beneficiary Societies d'oiag bus
mess in West Virginia. and for the
benefit OF the policyho.ders placed
these societies under the supervision
Of the insurance commissioner with
greater and enlarged powers.
Another important measure was
the bill suggested by the Insurance De
g)artment relating to unauthorized in
surance. This state requires all au-
thorized insurance companies doing
BUSINESS within the state to pay into
tlre state treasury two per cent OF
their net premiums and the amount
received from this source is Of mater
ial assistance in supporting the state
government, and Is a factor in making
the present state tax only 10 cents
on the 800 taxable valuation, and
which will further aid in the reduc-
ton OF this tax to ] cent Notwith-
stending our laws provide severe PEN
alties for persons or companies DO
ing bus ness within the state without
compliance wjth the laws thereof I'M
authorized insurance is written and
the bulk OF this unlawful insurance is
written through the mails, and the de-
rartment Is powerless tci prevent it.
The proposed bill merely sad 10 the
people OF the state, 'Ycm can place
ranies If you desire, but you must pay
TITO the state treasury the same
amcmmt that the companies complying
with our lews are compelled to pay
Another, designed for the punpose
OF protecting the people OF this state
from fake schemes, was not consid-
cred by the legislature.
White For Senator.
Local friends Of Ex-Governor A. b.
White. OF Parkersburg, have received
letters recently indicating that Mr..
White is seriously considering the
matter OF becoming candidate for
the United States Senate. A very
close friend OF Mr. Whites stated
that the ex-Governor's announcement
could be confidently expected within
the next month.
More Room For Choir.