The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-01-05

Government and many of the states 1or' a
more expeditions and inexpensive method Of
winding up the affairs of insolvent financial
corporations.
Legislation should be enacted reouirins ,I
individuals engaged in private banking TO take
out c. license, and the provision in the present
law exempting certain private bankers should
be repealed They should not be permitted
to receive deposits upon the credit of indiyid-
uals, unless subject to the examination and
scrutiny of the Banking Department in order
that such deposits may have the greatest possi-
Bile measure of security.
INSURANCE
Realizing that there but two statsa IN
the Union where more capital was invested in
insurance enterprises. and but one STATE
wherein the volume of business transacted ,ya,
greater than in Pennsylvania, the General As.
sembly of 1911 enacted comprehensive leeisls-
ton reorganizing the Insurance Denartman.
and extending its jurisdiction until TODAY tha
insurance laws of this State compare favor-
ably with those OF any other State
Policies of life insurance and health and
accident contracts have been SO stanidardized
that benefciaries can readily understand what
protection they or their families will receive
in the event of misfortune.
The liquidation of insovent institution. had
been source of dissatisfaction on account of
the delay and excessive cost of admin jstrat;on
The act of 1911 authorizing the Commissionar
to liquidate insolvent companies has prove5
beneficial. Some twenty-five companies and
associations have already been wound up. or
are in process of liquidation, with minimum
cost and no unusual delay.
Little additional legislation is required; but
a standard fire policy should be adopted, au-
thority should be given the Commissioner to
examine and supervise rate-making associa-
tons. and provision be made for the licensing
OF fire insurance adiusters.
NATIONAL GUARD
The National GuarG hes maintained Its ef-
iciency. 1t is composed of about ! l.. 900 young
men of the State and is competentiy officered.
l visited the several encampments and was
impressed with the interest manifested by the
officers and men. The training and discipline
of this orRani ;ation teaches respect for law
and authority and prepares the young men to
understand and ace Ut responsibility. The cit
izen-soldier is the nations reliance for the de-
fence of her institutions, and Pennsylvania
should be prepared to do her part by having
strong force of trained and disciplined men.
The General Assembly sNoul give thoughtful
consideration to the n, Is of the National
Guard.
STATE ARMoRY BOARD
The work accomplished by the Armory
Board, created to provide armories for the
National Guard, is commended. The appro-
priations made by the General Assembly, from
time to time to this Board aggregate 1850, 600.
Armories have been erected or aquired
throughout the State, representing q value OF
S2,05O. 000, or $500, 900 in excess of the money
appropriated by the State.
STATE POLICE
The Department of State Police, created In
1905. consisting of four troops of > officers
and 90 men each. with barracks and stables
1t Wyoming. Pottsville, Greenshurg, and But
Ter. has rendered valuable service to the COM
monweath.
The necessity for an increase in the number
of men and an adequate appropriation TO dis
tribute them to the best advantage throughout
the State, is proven by the thousands of re-
quests for assistance that are received yearly
from State and county officials, with the ma
jority of which the Department is unable to
comply.
FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BAT
TIE OF GETTYSBURG
The event proved to be a great success and
In every way worthy of the Commonwealth.
For the first time since the close of the Civil
War there was a general reunion of the vet
Grams of the Union and Confederate armies.
both of which were represented by large num-
bers. and the celebration did much to create
good feeling all over the country. The Presi-
dent of the United States ana the Secretary OF
War made addresses. The Governors of many
States and other distinguished guests partic-
ipated.
! TRANSFER OF FLAGS
The commi ssion created under the provisions
| of a joint resolution of the General Assembly
approved June 8, l913 authorized to arrange
and supervise the transfer. from the Library
and Museum Building to the cases in the ro-
| tunda of the Capitol. of the flags of Pennsyl-
| vania commands of the War for the Suppress
sion of the Rebellion and the Spanish -Amer-
can War, and other flags of historical value.
on June Is, 1871. transferred these flags with
!
ticipated in by portion of the National
Guard, Grand Army of the Republic and pa
triotic societies. These flags, the most preo-
ious jewels of the Commonwealth. representing
as they do the valor of Pennsylvania sons,
are now cared for in better and ap-
propriate manner than ever before.
PUBLIC PRINTING AND BINDING
| Under Legislation enacted at the last ses-
sion of the General Assembly the distribution
of public documents Is performed in a
| businesslike way. The creation of the Divi-
sion for the Distribution of Public Documents
will result in diseontinuance of the wastefur
method that existed prior TO Its establishment.
The editions of certain reports can be greatly
reduced. and it is suggested that Legislation be
enacted with that end in view. in order that
| it may be in force when the next contract for
printing is awarded in 1917.
Attention is called to the expense of print
Ing pink bills used by the Legislature. The
cost of printing these bills for the session of
1918 S42,s43.35. Unless this printing be
essential to the proper administration Of the
business of the General Assembly. they should
be discontinued; at any event, the number of
these bills should be very much reduced. as a
large portion of the waste paper sold by the
Superintendent of Public Grounds and Build