The Washington times., 1916-05-24
DISTRICT BUD GET.
EXPECTED TO PASS.
BEFORE SATURDAY
House Debate Develops Only
Attack on Nesblt and Fiscal
Plan FURRY.
"a. n,,tr,o, A. columbia appropria-

* The District of Columbia npproprin-
ton bill gave way In the House today
TO business on the "wednesday cal:
sndar," but the District budget win
again DO debated tomorrow f ,sa v,nss
sure late yesterday afternoon. -
..nxcept for an attack on Ghs,rss
Nesbit, Superintendent OF lnsurhnto
by Chairman Ben J9nnsoh: nd spo.
Sadic flurries over tho half-end- naii
principle, consideration OF the D,iI
yesterday afternoon was expeditions
Several Items went out OF tho bill
on points Of order. but this frequently
occurs in tho House. only 10 maze
She items restored by the Senate
District bill, was pleased with thc
progress made. and II 10 now belieysd
the bill may pass the House before
sstuTd lay; giving clear track TO the
Consressman Ben johnson made a
bitter attack upon Insurance super
intendent Nesbit, who was blamed by
sponsibie here for the formation of
an Insurance trust that had result
cd in much higher fire insurance
SStgs asn s%,ii last at yssr was maze
Mr.. johnson moved to strike the
salary for Mr.. Nesbit from the bill;
This motion was defeated. but Mr..
point OF order. a $500 salary increase
for the Deputy superintendent and
Examiner.
this deputy acted in the place of AIR.
Nesbit. Mr.. johnson sharply retortod
that ut would be far better for the
people of the District Of Columbia II
the present Superintendent OF lnsur.
ance should go away and stay away"
Refuses To Comment.
Superintendent Nesbit is confined to
his home with an attack OF the grip
today. He asked to be excused from
commenting upon Mr. Johnson's charges
until he (Nesbit) has had an opportunity
to read the official transcript of the
speech in the Congressional Record. Mr..
Nesbit said he would decide upon his
return to his desk whether reply
should be made.
Commissioner Louis Brownlow sat In
the House galleries during the attack
OF Mr.. Johnson, but had no comment to
make.
The colloauy which occurred in the
House prior to the defeat of Mr.. John
sons motion to dsallow the salary OF
the superintendent Of insurance was as
follows:
Mr.. johnson. I think it would be far
better for the people of the District of
Columbia IL the present superintendent
Of insurance should go away and stay
away, Partly through his connivance
the rates Of insurance in the District OF
Columbia have been increased from 80
per cent to l50 per cent and more.
/ did not expect that this item would
be reached this afternoon. l have some
figures that would like to sumbit to
the House relative to what Is going on
in insurance circles in the District or
Columbia. ] believe I can establish the
fact that the present superintendent of
insurance Is mere tool behind the in
surance companies. undertaking to put
up Insurance rates on the people OF the
District Of Columbia.
During the last year, II am correct
~ advised, on account OF the increased
rate the amount of insurance written
$1,000 900 and the losses fell off $780,
900. and Notwithstanding that the
premiums collected by the fire insur-
ance companies in the District of Co
lumbia from those who continued to
carry their insurance were increased
about $123,oo0.
Strike Out Salary.
Mr.. Tilson. The gentleman has made
a speech, which, IL correctly interpreted.
would mean. 1t seems to me. that we
ought to move to strike out the whole
or at any rate part Of the salary of
the superintendent of insurance. but
really he has not said anything In sup
strike out the proposed salary OF the
5000 to $500.
Mr.. Johnson-I am not In favor or
paying any additional compensation to
servant of the District of Columbia
who is working against the interests
OF the people Of the District OF Column
bia.
Mr.. Tison-lt is in order to move to
reduce the superintendent salary. Is
It not? And ought not the gentleman
do that rather than aim a blow at the
man who Is reGSiying only aInnj s;"% ,ors
the gentleman will state what the
particular thing Is that the Super In
tendent of Insurance has done to In
crease the insurance rates.
Mr.. Johnson-During the last ses-
sion of Congress l stated on the floor
of the House here that the present
superintendent Of insuIanee bad been
of an insurance trust in the District
of Columbia. | gave the names and
instances of when and where he had
duce but to coerce the officials of
Independent insurance companies to
join and become part OF this trust.
which has put up the rates of insur-
ance in the District of Columbia in
the last two years from SO to $50 per
cent, / believe.
Mr.. Lloyd-Does the gentleman
think he is responsible for the In
Mr. Johnson-I think he could have
defeated II II he had been willing to
do so: but instead or being disposed to
defeat II he has been nm instrument in
tho hands of these peorle to multiply
the rates of insurance upon the people
in the District of Columbia.
Asks For Proof.
Mr.. Lloyd-What proof has the gentle
man of that fact?
Mr.. Johnson-In my former speech
stated the proof, anS l gave the names
OF the men to whom he had gone and
asked them to Join the trust, and had
practically threatened to drive them out
OF business IL they did not go into the
trust Mr.. Chairman. / believe that
for the welfare and in the interest of
the people of the District of Columbia
this salary should be stricken out.
When a man is working for the insur-
ance companies and against the in
terests Of the people he Is supposed TO
represent. IL the Commissioners of the
District of Columbia do not remove
him. Congress ought TO remove the
salary. The people OF the District
ought not to be taxed and thereby be
compelled to nay the salary of an
officer working against the Interests
OF those who pay him.
Congressman Stephens of Texas asked
why is this combination or trust not