Evening star., 1926-04-29

there Was no regulation permitting 1t.
Mr.. Baanton, recalling Mr.. Jennings e
attempt to prohibit all-night parking.
asked the witness IL he knew Mr.. Fen
ming was interested in big garage
in Washington. Inspector Shelby re-
piled that me knew nothing about this.
Mr.. Baldwin then was called as a
that he is custodian of all records of
the Department of Insurance. He had
been required to. bring to the com.
mittee papers Allowing the surety and
fire insurance companies for which
Mr.. Fenning acts as solicitor. 1t was
shown that he represents two surety
companies and one fire insurance com.
pany. 1t was emphasized that the
bonds for District officials and for
contractors on pubic works, including
school construction. might be obtained
through these companies. Asked by
Mr.. Houston to what extent these
companies are used by District Off.
Gals, Mr.. Baldwin said he had no
way of knowing. Mr.. Houston then
asked that Mr.. 'Garges and Mr.. Don
ovan be required to bring before the
committee all bonds of District Off
Gals and contractors.
Cites Objection to Bill.
Mr.. Blanton then questioned Mr..
Baldwin concerning the insurance
bilf pending before Congress for the
last two years and which the Senate
who had held it up and had new
heal ings on it, and what part Mr..
FenniIg had to do with 1t. Mr..
Baldwin replied that objections had
been presented by L. c. Brandenburg,
as attorney, regarding features affect
ing the real estate title business, and
had urged that II this was considered
at all 1t should be in O. separate bill,
In reply to further questions by Mr..
phantom, MIR. Baldwin admitted that
in his opinion this should be passed
IN the interests of the people Of the
District and said 1t had had the ap-
proval of the Commissioners. Mr..
Gibson asked il Mr.. Fenning had any.
thing to do with holding it up and
MIR. Baldwin replied that ne couldn't
say.
Returning to the question of
whether companies for which Mr..
Fenning was solicitor would be liable
IN the event of default by contrac-
tors and whether in that event the
Commissioner would be in the posi-.
ton of ordering suit against his own
company to protect the people of the
District, Mr.. Baldwin admitted that
was a contingency. 1t also was
brought out that under the '.anti-
quated" law company could also
pay Mr.. Fenning as solicitor rebates
and extra commissions.
Mr.. Bowman promptly inquired
about the "antiquated" law and was
told that 1t has been in operation
since 1901. He asked for recon.
mendations on which corrective legis-
lation could be based. Mr.. Baldwin
answered that he had a bill pre-.
pared which he would like to see
enacted tomorrow.
Give it to u.s." said Mr.. Houston.
Mr.. Baldwin replied: II can't do
1t; I'm under orders not to-"
Who is your SUPERIOR" he was
asked.
Mr.. Fenning." he replied.
When members of the committee
demanded an explanation. Mr.. Bald.
win told them that he had conferred
with Chairman Zihlman of the House
District committee and Representa-
tive Reid of Illinois relative to de-
srable insurance legislation, and that
when they had asked him to let them
have a copy of his proposed amend.
ments he told them he thought he
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