The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-24
SAYS LOBBYISTS
 TRYING ID BEAT
 INSURANCE BILL A. J. Arrant Points Out Im- pOrtance of Proposed New Insurance Department
 for Alabama

Montgomery, September 23.-(Special) A. J. Arrant, under the heading, Shall the People or the Lobbyists Ruler issued the following statement tonight in advo- cacy of the proposed new state insur- ance department:
 During the closing days of the Alabama legislature it becomes more evident that many good bills may fail of enactment, simply because few politicians outside the legislative membership are using every possible means to defeat measures designed for the public good. because of their pecuniary interest.
 "Wednesday nights session of the sem ate, after considerable wrangling, was adjourned until Saturday without passing single measure. Several bills of vital importance to the state of Alabama have not yet been reached and it Is hoped by the lobbyists that by wrangling and fili- bustering tactics the senate will consume days and Intellectually at the expense of the people of Alabama.
 One bill of special interest to the peo- pie of Alabama is the Carmichael house bill 3S9, now upon the senate calendar. which provides for the office of commits sioner of insurance, separate and dis tinct from the secretary of states of flee, with the appropriation of $600O for its operation and maintenance. Insurance matters are now, and heretofore have been handled through the secretary of states office and have not been in ef- ficient hands. The insurance department ha n har of c;r as in practically every other state in the United States. The commissioner should be selected by the governor, be- cause of his practical knowledge as to the conduct of insurance matters, both relative to operation of insurance com panies and the proper regulations for the protection of the citizens of Alabama The state of Alabama is losing annually approximately S6O,O0O on account of H. cense, taxes of insurance companies which escape the present department of state, either from neglect or ignorance of one of the most important departments. Should all corporations, both domestic and foreign, pay to the state of Alabama their just and lawful taxes, it would en- able the state to take care of it's obliga- tions without bond issues. Then, why not pass at this session needful laws, even though some new department may be created? If a new department is created, is it not good business policy to do so, when 1t can be proven beyond question of a doubt that it will increase the state income from $50,000 to $100,0OO per annum, whereas it will only cost the state for operation and maintenance from $6000 to $70O0?
 Tt seems to be the objection of sev- eral senators to the separate insurance department that the office when created will furnish probably two additional jobs for eX-state and present state employees, who are making a strong pull for the new positions. However. it is generally believed by those close to. the governor office should the insurance department bel created. new department head would be selected by the governor who has no] political obligations to pay, no promises to fulfill except to administer the office impartially and expertly for the best in- terest of the people of Alabama as well as the insurance companies themselves. Home companies should be encouraged and assisted in every way possible. and the commissioner should be qualified and willing to keep home companies upon a prosperous and legitimate basis. Those companies who fear proper regulation need regulating and help-those properly managed have no fear as to the admin istratlon of the insurance department of Alabama.
 Therefore, why not protect the policy holders of Alabama against unscrupu- lous, unreliable and unqualified insur- ance companies and agents, and at the same time establish for once and all time the reputation of the insurance depart ment of Alabama for fair and square dealings with insurance companies and the citizens of our state?"