The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1912-12-26
Insurance Agents in State
May be Forced to Pass
Examinations
COMMISSIONER MAKES REPORT
Shows That Many Changes Have Been
Made in the Handling of the Depart
1nent During the Year Just Closing.
Suggestions for New Legislation.

A civil service examination Of all
candidates for appointment as agents
to solicit any kind Of insurance is the
primary recommendation to the legis-
lature made by Insurance Commission
er Herman Il. Ekern of Wisconsin, in
the annual life report Of the Depart
ment, issued today. Mr.. Ekern de-
clares that fair dealings with the pub
lie demand that "the state should in
sist that persons who hold agents j.
censes shall have some degree Of fit
ness and qualification for the transac-
ton Of the business and that persons
who are obviously unfit or unquali-
fed should be barred
During the past year about 10000
agents were licensed in the state, and
even il the recommendation is adopt
ed these men will continue on their
own qualification without examina
tion. Commissioner Ekern suggests
that the examination might be given
by the state civil service commission
on questions to be prepared by non
salaried board of persons experienced
in life, casualty and fire insurance.
''To entrust the work to men who
have betrayed their trust with other
companies, says Commissioner Ekeln
a or who are VIGOROUSLY slow and uIi-
satisfactory in accounting for funds
handled by them, or who have little or
no knowledge Of the contracts they
write, or how these contracts are af-
fected by the conditions in any par
ticular case, is an imposition upon the
public who rightfully look to the state
for protection in regard to their in
surance.
The report Of the commissioner re-
lating to life insurance covers l54 com
panies and societies. 1t shows the
total income of the department. from
the taxes and fees Of these companies
to be $3.50, 461.73 for the calendar year
1911, and the total receipts for the six
months ending June 80, 1912, rs $685.
290.52. The total salaries Of employees
of the department during the year
amounted to $12,573.22.
Other suggestions for legislation
are:
Policy Lie ans-A law is recommended
n curing that companies reserve the
right to hold applications for loans
sixty days in times Of panic.
Promotion is called to the
law prohibiting the sale of insurance
stocks on commission basis of more
than 10 per cent and it is urged that
this law be strengthened at the next
session of the legislature.
Twisting attempt to induce
policyholders to drop their insurance
or certificates is condemned. The re-
port states:
In some quarters the present read
justments of fraternal societies have
been made the occasion for special
work among the members of such So
cieties. No objection is raised to the
solicitation Of any member for insur-
ance at any time his attention can be
had However, present circumstances
may be exceptional, and caution may
well be exercised that zeal for new
business does not override the giving
of proper consideration to the inter-
est of the person solicited, or the
necessity for absolute fairness toward
his society.
Ordinarily, no person can be serv-
ed by being induced to drop insurance
he already has to make it possible for
him to take other insurance. In any
change, the insured, in the long run,
has to bear the initial expense. 1t will
be a very rare and exceptional case
where any agent or deputy is justified
in replacing other insurance with his
insurance.
Especially in the case where the
society at present insuring such per-
son is going through a readiustment
to place itself upon an adequate and
permanent basis, would such advice be
very much misplaced. On read;us
ment to sound basis the member GETS
better insurance without addel
initial expense, and often some share
in an accumulation which, under a
proper readjustment, will go to his
benefit if he remains with the society.
At the best, readjustment is fraucht
with difficulties. Every successful re-
adjustment increases the general con-
fdeuce in life insurance. Deputies
and agents will serve their own inter
ests, as well as the interests of mem
bers and the public, by having in mind
all the time that it is their business
to build and not to tear down.