The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1946-03-22
RACKETEERS' SACROSANCT

d5ehl OHCS uiiuocii, piihtS III his l5t
? report:
1.-THE Montana agent, in whom sur
wives the old West traditions of hon
esty, sincerity, and above-board deal
ing, has established a code of ethics
that tends to discourage the racketeer
and has gained the confidence of the
buying public"
They have, indeed, gained the con
fidence of the buying public" but they
run racket.
Many criticize the legal profession
as being 'unproductive There are only
700 practicing lawyers in Montana.
The 1945 report says there are 1858
insurance agents in this state. Some
years ago there were only 1000 Our
population has fallen off by 60,40O
since 1910. AS the insurance agents
increase, the population diminishes.
This is not mere coincidence The fol
lowing figures copied from the 1915
report show that there is cause and
effect.
Very Profitable Proposition
In 1914, fire insurance companies
received in premiums from Montana
folks, s6.323, 572.57; they paid back in
losses $2,777, 2S5.92; excess of intake
over return to purchasers, S3,546,2-
2S6.65; about 119 per cent above outgo.
In 1914, life insurance companies
received in premiums from Montana
folks, 1924 65.91. They paid back in
losses $3,724, 930.47; excess in intake
over return to purchasers, $685.
635.44; about $50 per cent above outgo.
In 1914, accident-health insurance
companies received in premiums from
Montana folks S1,217, 05136; they paid
back in losses S676,9S2.34; excess of
intake over return to purchasers, $780,
06902; about rs per cent above outgo
In 1914, fidelity (official bonds) in.
surance companies received in prem
iums from Montana folks $3.50, 752.07.
They paid back in losses $16,SS5.O4;
excess of intake over return to pur-
chasers. $266,96702; above 1,4OO per
cent above outgo. (The state would
save $25O000 the year by requiring no
official bonds at alb.
III bdDAiAbJ
etc. insurance companies received in
premiums from Montana folks S1.21S.-
017.07. They paid back in losses $337,-
1918, more than 200 per cent above |
outgo
In 1914, plate glass insurance COM
panies received in premiums from |
Montana folks $20,617S3. They paid /
back in losses, $5,341.96 excess of
intake over return to purchasers, $15,-
275.87; about 290 per cent above outgo |
In 1914, boiler insurance companies
received in premiums from Montana
folks s33,7SS.45; they paid back in
losses $5,689.26; excess of intake over
return to purchasers, s2S,O99.19; 500
per cent above outgo.
In 1914, burglary insurance COM
panies mot burglars) received in
premiums from Montana folks S47,-
1920; they paid back in losses 49,
225.22; excess of intake over return
to purchasers, 500, 747.99; 400 per cent
above outgo-ring the alarm.
In 1914, car property damage insur. ,
ance companies received in premiums !
rom Montana folks $457 1854; they ;
,aid back in losses 5000, 55475; excess
If intake over return to purchasers, d,
S24S, 201.19; 125 per cent above outgo.
In 1914 miscellaneous insurance
received in premiums from
Montana folks $97,15127; they paid
pack in losses $17,219.04; excess of
intake over return to purchasers, $751;
1928; 400 per cent above outgo.
In 1914, Workmen's Compensation
insurance companies received in prem
ums from Montana folks 1854, 1876;
hey paid back in losses $405, 263.59;
excess of intake over return to pur- !
hasers, $3.50, 533.97. :
We echo Burke Clements, chairman ;
# accident board. For years he has
'ublicly claimed that this form of
Itching from cripples, widows and or :
hans should be outlawed !,
S12 Million Excess Per Year n
A summary of the foregoing figures
eveals that in 1916, Montana folks u
aid s12,1O4, 3807O more in premiums, d
ntirely above all paid back to them t
n losses. AS an average in 1914, every G