Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-03-12

taorized company. The property Of the
Hickers IL situated little differently
than that in cities and the only way that
they could get insurance at proper rates
was from the foreign unauthorized COM
pantes. After the Rickers had secured
their insurance in those foreign COM
panies the Maine companies reduced
their rates.
Mr.. Wilson said that the property Of
the Rickers was insured in 50 authorized
and &c unauthorized companies.
Il believe that the present law is un-
constitutional declared the former at
torney general. Maine has no rig.1t to
tax its citizens on the right to do bus
mess on a foreign jurisdiction. 1t is an
infringement on the rights Of citizens to
prevent them from doing business where
they please
Senator Bartlett OF Kennebec county
said that there was nothing in this law
to prevent Mr. Kicker or any one else
from going anywhere he desired to get
his insurance but the law was passed
SO that wild cat companies with no
financial responsibility would not de-
fraud the people OF the State.
Mr.. Wilson thought that it was wrong
TO lay heavier tax On an unauthorized
company than an authorized company
and the people of Maine should have
the right to do business outside Of the
state II they were so inclined Arthur
S. Littlefeld of Rockland also spoke, in
favor Of the repeal of the law, saying
that no part Of the business is done in
Maine, that it is not even done by cor
respondence and that only the property
is located in the State.
Hancock Insurance Company
Ex-senator Edward S. Clark of Bar
Harbor, Senator Henry c. Chatto IF
Hancock county, Hon. Cyrus D.
Blanchard of Wilton and Thomas F.
Miilett Of Gorham appeared before the
committee in favor Of the resolve ask
ing for an investigation of the Han
cock Mutual Insurance Company. The
resolve provides for the appointment Of
commission of three members, one
OF whom shall be a lawyer who will
make report to the governor and
Council. The company went into the
Eands Of receiver two years ago
ana some of the stockholders say that
they cannot find out anything abo It
the company and want certain trans
actions investigated. There was no
opposition to the measure
Ex-senator Clark said that the Han
cock company did business at a very
low rate with the result that finally
1t was obliged to go into the hands
of a receiver.
Senator Clark stated that he did not
have much confidence in receivers and
denounced receivers in general.
This whole thing has been a pure
bunco,' said Senator Clark" and the
state should appoint this commission
to see where the funds have gone ami
ii any one has been guilty OF a crime
in this case they should be punish
ed. In the name of the policy hold
ers commission should be appointed
to Investigate the affairs of this com
pany.
Thomas F. Millett Of Gorha,n
thought that an investigation of the
effairs of the company should be made
hut thought that il would better TO
have the investigating done through
the courts.
Judge Elliott \. Benson of Bar
Harhor said that he had clients VINO
think that they have been victimize3
and they want an investigation.
Three other bills, including the act
creating board of appeals for fir
insurance rates, were re-assigned for
a no rjrsr yI-n1,-r-S,