The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-05-19
One Change Would Revise
Terms on Crop Insurance
and NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
Would Form Governing
Board For Study Of Appli-
cations by Farmers

Fargo, N. d., May l9.--4P,- Minor
amendments to the state hail insur-
ance law are necessary to further
improve the operation of the depart
mcnt as benefit to farmers, Martin
S. Hagen, manager of the state hail
insurance department, told county
auditors in convention here today.
Amonf: changes proposed are a
slight revision Of the terms on which
crops are insured and withdrawn,
and new provisions regarding the
insurance Of land held by the Bank
of North Dakota, state school lands,
non-taXable county lands, homestead
and Indian lands The department
has prepared bills covering the var
ious changes which its experience
has Indicated would be advisable
Hagen said, and will present them
at the next legislative session.
Would Have Board
Another provision would constitute
the governor, attorney general and
insurance commissioners as Il board
of three which would be authorized
to refuse to grant insurance for one
or more years to persons with whom
the department has encountered SER
ious difficulty in making adjust
mcnts of claims for indemnity by
reason of the unreasonable attitude
of the claimants.
Hagen also would have a provision
in the law permitting county com
m ISIS toner's to reduce the number Of
acres shown as listed for hail indcm
nifty when proof is made that tho
number of acres cropped was actual.
smaller than the acreage listed. The
4.
be authorized to abate hail indemnity
taxes which may. be wrongful,
levied and to refund such taxes il
eases where they are wrongfully col
lectcd.
The bill passed at the last legis.
lative session providing for separate
sale Of hail taxes and providing fol
n refund by the hail department II
cases where the title to the lane
| passes to someone else on mortgage
foreclosure will prove to be rea
benefit, Hagen said. He explained
THAT It's effect is to make hail ia,
| certificates sound investment ant
guarantee their sale along with Othel
taxes. The prospect Of being unable
to sell the hail indemnity take.
caused some worry to the depart
mcnt, Hagen said. but the situation
was amply handled by the new law.
Attacks Benefit Bureau
Pointing out that progress Otter
is obtained through working GU
honest differences Of opinion, Hager
said that various attacks made OF
| the hail insurance department hav,
| resulted in benefit to it by calling
| attention to new ideas. State hal
insurance, Hagen said, now is looked
upon by farmers and business mer
as an indispensable institution ben
efitin those who feel the need Of hal
insurance to crops.
The plan of districting the stat,
for the purpose of levying assess
ments proportionatc to the loss ha.
| worked out well, Hagen said. He aver
| red that mo one could at this tim,
wish to 20 back to the former system
! and when the present manager shall
a year from now, decline reappoint
i ment the department shall hav
reached the foundation both as al
| institution in itself and in the minds
of the people that shall be nearl,
impossible to destroy.
mo doubt 1927 is the last year tn,
flat tax shall need be levied and tn,
! surplus within the fund reach 81,
600. 900. the limit set by law. 1t i.
gratifying to be able to report tina
the cash balance Of the department
!. is at the present time $2,67O.OOO ant
the taxes are being paid in goo,
shape"