The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1921-04-23
SOLUTION FOR FIRE
RISK TANGLE GIVEN

Committees from Senate. and
House Should be Named to
Agree on Relief Measure.
Jackson, Miss, April Estate
Senator w. B. Nixon of McComb is
pointing the only way "out of the
insurance wilderness" that so far has
been uggested-even, as he says,
"at the risk of being declared ridic-
ulous,' though he hopes not pre-
sumptuous.
After describing the seriousness of
the situation, one that affects all
classes of residents of the state-ev-
en- those who do not carry any in
surance-the Pike county man as
serts in the language of Grover
Cleveland, that lit is condition and
not theory that confronts u.s." He
calls attention to the fact that many
citizens are clamoring for relief and
petitioning the governor for an ex-
ira session, while commercial organ
izations everywhere also are pound
ing on the doors of the legislative
halls to save them and the credit of
the state.
AT the same time" says Mr.. Mix
on, nobody has suggested a remedy
no citizen, no board of trade, has
intimated what they want done or
what should be done; the governor
is silent as the Sphinx the revenue
agent is saving wood; while his
lawyers await the pleasure of the
court; the insurance companies, like
the grounding have gone into their
holes, and the people of the state are
wondering why something cannot be
done
For these and other reasons Mr..
Nixon, safe and sane legislator, Of
fers the following solution of the
vexatious problem:-
COMMITTEES SHOULD ACT
First. That the governor should
request the lieutenant governor to
name a committee from the Senate,
and the speaker of the House of
Representatives to name a like COM
mittee from the House, and appoint
a day for them to meet in the gov
ernor's office to go over the situa-
tion, and also have the attorney gen
eral present for advice and counsel.
Second. These committees should,
if they can, agree upon a measure of
relief, and if they believe special
session should be called to enact this
measure then advise the governor to
call same under the limitations pre-
scribed by the constitution.
Third. That the reasons for this
call should be set forth by the gov
ernor, together with the outlines of
the measure, and should be sent to
each member of the Legislature with
the request for his acquiescence, and
If majority should agree to the call,
even though they did not endorse
the measure, then the governor
should issue the call.
Insofar as my individual views
are concerned, l am not afraid to ex-
press them in advance, yet l reserve
the right to endorse the suggestion
of others when convinced that they
are better than mine.
my observation and study of this |
question has led me to the follow
ing suggestions
''The Legislature should establish
a fire insurance rating commission |
composed of the insurance commits
sioner and one member to be elected |
by the House of Representatives and |
one by the Senate. 1t should be the
duty of the two members elected by
the House and the Senate to make
the maximum rates of insurance |
with the advice of the insurance |
commissioner and in the event of |
their disagreement the rate to be de- |
cided by the insurance commission
Ell.
PLAN FOR RATE FIXING.
1T must be assumed that this COM
would fix rate which would |
invite reputable insurance compa-
nies to do business in our state, and |
in event rate should be made OBJ
jectionable. our people could have
a hearing, and If the rate was claim
ed to be too low, likewise, the in
surance companies could have
hearing.
1T is fact beyond disrepute that
cur people must obtain fire protec-
tion from foreign corporations, yet
we should always reserve the right
to protect ourselves from exorbitant
charges, or unfair dealing. Every
thing else being equal we are en-
titled to this protection at a rate not
greater than that given to the peo-
pie of other states.
Il was member Of the >Legisla-
ture when the present antitrust
laws were enacted. At that time the
trust and combine question was pa
ramount throughout the United
States. and 1t was thought necessary
to enact drastic laws to curb big
business
''The insurance companies were
then operating under what was