The Washington times., 1915-02-02
about him was what came to me volun'
tarily from people in the District.
Reasonable" Rates OppOsed.

Reasonable" Rates OppOseu.
ut was represented to me that ne
himself was in the insurance business
and belonged to that particular branch
Of the business which would better
thrive by fastening a trust on the peo-
pie Of the District. than by being IN
terested in seeing that the people re-
ceived low and reasonable rates
Congressman sutherland asked II the
$4,000 mentioned should be carried as
an asset. "Would 1t not be carried
pFoptfly think es not sn exRenss saId Mr. Johnson
Congressman johnson read into the
Record, extracts from the constitution
and bylaws Of the so-called insurance
trust" or Underwriters, Association. The The
arbitrary power to fix rates here.
II think in general the insurance COM
panies throughout the country regulate
the rates and make them after the FASH
ina man SGT Greene, aase Of fussu Massachusetts. @
"Ycs. and it is just as indefensible else
where as 1t 1t here In the District OF Co
lumbia," retorted Mr.. Johnson, 90
not believe that Congress should SIT by
and sec this thing go ahead"
Rates and Commissions Fixed.
"In other words" added Mr.. Johnson.
this constitution goes on and fixes not
only the rate from which the companies
may not depart. but it also fixes the
agents commissions. from which no
company is permitted to depart
Il see from the local press that the
District Attorney. is investigating the
question as to whether or not there Is
a local Insurance trust with a view Of
prosecuting it II there is one" continued
Congressman johnson. II invite the at
tention of the District Attorney to the
fact that Walter Prnwn and NVlllin
II. West canvassed the insurance COM
panies doing business in the District to
have them become members of this
trust. II the officers of the insurance
companies should be called before the
District Attorney l doubt not they will
tell him that they were importuned and
encouraged by these two gentlemen to
join this trust.
Each Company Assessed.
For the purpose Of keeping UP this
local organization each company doing
business in the District had levied upon
1t an assessment OF three-Quarters OF
per cent upon its commissions or pre-
nfiums-1 am not quite sure-and that
three quarters of l per cent. when col
lected. was to be paid to the Mr.. Hardy
to whom l have heretofore referred"
Reverting to the Investigation which
revolved about the First National and
the Commercial Fire Insurance Com
panies. Congressman Johnson expressed
the opinion that II these companies
had not been fought by this insurance
trust they would have made money and
paid handsome dividends" That these
companies had been 'persecuted." Mr..
Johnson gave as his unqualified opin-
ion.
This statement was brought out by a
remark by Congressman Askbrook OF
Ohio that some OF his constituents had
invested in the stock of a Washing
ton company. II believe the CONNER
c!al.'
After discussing the insurance sltua-
ton, Mr.. Johnson referred to the House
bill placing the compensation of the
auditor of the Supreme Court of the
District Of Columbia on a salary rather
than fee basis He cited Auditor
Dents testimony before the Senate
committee alleging that spitework was
behind the legislation.