Evening star., 1928-11-25

BOSTON. November 90 (SpeciaD -
Another chapter granting insurance
! companies increased rates has just been
added to the now famous row over
/ compulsory insurance for motor vehi-
| Giles in Massachusetts,, and 1t is not 60
ing to be the last one. Acting Commits
sioner Of Insurance Arthur w. Linnell
called a public hearing last week at the
stt~'house, which was largely attended
WhcHl it was all over many persons who
! had been at legislative hearings for
Nears at the statehouse we're outspoken
in stating that it was not public hear
| ing In its real sense.
They pointed out that whenever there
| is a public hearing before any legislative
/ committee those Sho are seeking to
have the State do something must first
state their case: there must be some
printed matter to give data as to what
| 1t is about, and the opponents then
have a chance to digest the proposition
and argue against it.
At the insurance hearing this pro-
cedure was reversed. No one spoke In
| favor of the rates until the hiring was
nearly over, and Ex-Motor Vehicle Reg
| istrar Frank A. Goodwin arose. He
said
"As long as no evidence has been
presented here by insurance companies
| to show that they are entitled to in
creased rates. there is nothing for you
to do, Mr.. Commissioner, but order the
old rates put into effect"
| william j. Constable, representing the
insurance companies, was on his feet
! Immediately. He drew out some type
written statements and proceeded to
read one stating why there should be
an increase. Copies were supplied to
the press. There were no copies for
any of those who had been arguing
against the rates.
What the motor people criticized was
the fact that there we're no facts and
| figures produced for them to digest;
| just brief summary from the insur-
ance companies that could not be an
alyzed and fought at that particular
time. It was then rumored that the
rates would be announced within a few
days.
Rates Are Digested.
Sunday the motorists had chance
to digest the rates. They found there
was a general increase in cars and a
decrease in commercial vehicles. Com
i missioner Linnell announced that the
rates were about IL per cent higher
than the 1928 rates, but 10 per cent
lower than the schedule submitted by
commissioner Wesley e. Monk.
Gov. Fuller, who retires in January
issued a statement in which he said
that the insurance department should
make an investigation of all sorts oi
rates. He quoted statements made
during the controversy between himself
and ex-Commissioner Monk to show
his attitude on this question.
Digesting the rates, the motorists
found that in Boston and half dozer
surrounding cities and one town owner;
of Fords, Chevrolets, Overlands, etc.
the small cars, will pay $19 more pei
car, a Jump from $29 to SAT. Medium.
class car owners will Jump $40 and
larger cars SIT. In territory (2), JUS
outside Boston, the small cars pay only
SO, but the medium priced cars are
dropped $6 and the large cars ST pei
car fiat. Territory three shows a jump
of So. An analysis shows that, basec
upon minimum registrations made ir
1927. that territory one will give ar
increase of $1,900,000, territory two
only $4,000, and territory three some
$340,000 approximately. There are two
more territories to be analyzed.
Today the reaction set In. Repre-
sentative Elmer Spear of Everett filed