The Marshall republican., 1913-04-11
no A

jefferson City, April 2.-Threat
on the part OF fire insurance com
panies to. withdraw from Missouri be-
cause OF unsettled rate conditions has
caused considerable comment here.
Attorney General Jonn NJ. Barker,
whose statement some days ago that
he would institute criminal prosecu-
tions Immediately it rates were not.
reduced. is out OF the city. When
he returns tomorrow or next day It is
expected he will take decisive steps
in the matter.
The repeal OF the Oliver rating law,
enacted two years ago, has stirred up
the trouble. The companies made a
desperate fight to prevent the repeal
of the oliver law, under which they
have been able 10 advance fire rates
all over the state. They also made
a desperate fight to induce the gov
ernUr to veto the orr bills carrying
tie repeal aud again placing the fire
companies under the provisions OF
the antitrust laws. where they were
before the enactment OF the Oliver
law.
Just what could be done In the
event that the companies carry out
their threats TO leave Missouri is not
apparent. Undoubtedly the repeal
of the oliver law and the attitude OF
the attorney general In his announc-
ed determination TO bring about a re-
duction OF rates has stirred up the
: companies. us resolutions adopted
yesterday ut the meeting OF the Mis-
sodri committee of fire company
managers in Chicago. indicate. A
suspension Of business in Missouri
even for a short time would bring
q vast amount OF confusion.
state superintendent OF Insurance
G. q. Revelle is out OF the city today,
but ut the department II was stated
that nothing IN known there official
" of The action taken I'm Chicago.
There is no emergency clause on the
bill replacing the companies under
the provisions OF the antitrust laws,
consequently Il will not he effective
until June. The feature OF this bill
objectionable To the fire insurance
companies II In the following section:
"tn any proceeding against or pro.
s"cution OF any Insurance company
lrrdor this article. II shall be prima
frcip evidence that such company IL
n member of n pool. trust, agreement
confederation or understanding "a
control. affect or fix the price or pre-.
MUM 10 he paid for insurmg proper
~ against loss or damage by fire
lightning or storm. " II he shown
that such company or any agent ~.
preventative thereof. IN writing In
suranco has used any insurance rate
or made use or, or consulted any In
surance rate. prepared. published
kept or furnished by any person. as
sociation of persons or bureau ON
pioyed by. representing or acting oi
behalf OF any other insurance com
pnny or association Ia and about th'
making aud publishing OF Insurance
rates for use In any portion OF Till
state"
This is far more drastic than wer'
the provisions OF the antitrust Law
they went under the provisions o
applicable to fire companies before
the Oliver law and II II believed ba'
caused the threatened withdrawal o
the companies from the state.
The total amount OF fire risks II
Missouri At this time II S1Ii 900,
900.
There are thirty-four foreign In
%snrance companies, ia American
companies. s Missouri companies. y
mutual companies and q Missouri
town mutual companies writing fir
insurance In the state at this time.