The Detroit times., 1913-03-28
INSURANCE BILL
LOST IN SHUTTLE
Fight Over Measure Develops
Warm COntroversy-Party
Lines Stretched
From a specia, Correspondent.

Il
! LANSING, Mich, March 2S.-For
the lack Of q single vote the modihca-
tion Of the Mobile bill which has been
pushed by Rep. Ashley to regulate the
business of fraternal insurance or
ganizations and to force them to keep
their affairs In . solvent condition
failed to pass the house OF representa-
tives Thursday afternoon. Fifty men,
bers voted for 1t to SO against, where
a. the approval Of 81 is necessary 70
the passage Of any bill. 1t was tabled
later and stands fair show OF poss-
ing when more are present.
The fight made over the bill IN the
committee OF the whole the previous
day was continued for more than an
hour and In large measure repeated.
The discussion became SO hot ON the
specific point as to whether the bin
called for given set OF rates that
the speaker was forced to rap for
more impersonal proceedure. Rep:
Broker. Of Ionia, and Mcbride. OF
Ottawa, contended that 1t required the
use Of the National Fraternal Con-
eress rates which Rep. Ashley, OF De
troit, denied.
He explained that 1t did call for the
use of the National Fraternal Con-
gress table of mortality or its equiv
alent upon which to base rates. but
made no other stipulation.
To this Rep. Mcbride answered
with the charge that the form IN
which the bill was drawn was merely
q subterfuge to avoid stating It's pro
visions openly. Turning directly to
Rep. Ashley ne said. Although the
word may not be mentioned. 1t does
IN the rates to be levied and shy DO
you try to evade the question:
1T does not, sir; and am not try
ing to evade anything" was the EN-.
phatic. courteously indignant reply OF
the gentleman from Detroit.
Rep. Ashley read many indorse.
ments Of the bill from the heads OF
different fraternal societies and Ia
answer to someone's questioning his
statement that opposition to 1t had
been manufactured. read also circu-
lar letter sent out from Grand Rapids
| by the order which he claimed was the
only one on record against the pro-
posed regulation. In the letter WAS q
| form telegram to be sent by individ-
uals receiving the letter to their
state representatives. II was very
similar to several which had been
read In the discussion Of the day be-
fore.
Rep. Bricker, OF Ionia, and Warner.
Of LIeelanau, both bitterly opposed the
bill.
At the instigation OF Democratic
member, namely Rep. Catlin, OF
Inrham, the Bull Moose and Reoub-
Iicans OF the house are to be set at
lloggerheads by speeches by Theodore
Roosevelt and former Governor Had
ley. of Missouri, II present plans DO
not miscarry.
IJpon the motion of Rep. Catlin, a
resolution was adopted to invite the
former president to address the leefs
lature Monday night. following his
appearance IN Detroit.
iater in the afternoon, Rep. Warner
made q determined tight to have the
action reversed. Colonel Roosevelt. he
said. was coming to Michigan solely
for \ political purpose and that IT do
MT seem proper to him to turn the
IegisIatfye chamber to such use
"And furthermore. he maintained, Il
was opposed to like suggestion two
Years ago before he became STUN.
hing block In national politics and
while he still claimed to be part
Of the Republican party"
yes" answered Rep. Weidenfeller,
NJ Van Buren,, II have come TO the
conclusion that the reason Michigan
went for Roosevelt was because an
effort was made to gag him. ! have
no great admiration for him as a
statesman. but this hall does not be-
long TO any political party. Let US
have free speech for everybody"
Rep. IT, ". Mcbride, a Progressive
of Shiawassee, and several others
spoke for a non-partizan attitude to-
ward the question. and the Warner
motion lost IL to SIS.
Then Rep. Dunn. OF Sanilac. Re-
publican, arose and moved that q