Hon. JAMES M. MEAD, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Washington, D. C., March 25, 1935.. Chairman Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: I transmit for the consideration of your committee. the enclosed letter from J. D. Ennis, vice president of the Taylor Ennis Agency, Newark, N. J. Yours very sincerely, Re: H. R. 6452. Hon. FREDERICK R. LEHLBACH, FREDERICK R. LEHLBACH. TAYLOR-ENNIS AGENCY, INC., United States Congress, Washington, D. C. Newark, N. J., March 22, 1935. DEAR SIR: Will you please ask the Post Office Committee of House to report. the above bill out favorably? Thanking you for you cooperation, we are J. D. ENNIS, Vice President. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Washington, D. C., March 22, 1935. Reference H. R. 6452. CLERK COMMITTEE ON THE POST OFFICE AND POST ROADS, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C MY DEAR SIR: Under date of March 21, I have the following wire from J. H. Hopkins, secretary, Ypsilanti Association of Insurance Agents, Ypsilanti, Mich.: We earnestly urge you to ask the Post Office Committee of the House to report out bill H. R. 6452 favorably. We believe this bill of great value to the insurance-buying public.' Under date of March 22, I have the following from the Dansard Little Insurance Agency, Monroe, Mich.: "Urge you to request Post Office Committee of House to report bill H.R.. 6452 out favorably.' I shall appreciate it if you will bring these wires to the attention of the committee for its information and consideration. Thanking you, I am, Yours sincerely, EARL C. MICHENER, M. C.. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Washington, D. C., March 22, 1935. CLERK COMMITTEE ON THE POST OFFICE AND POST ROADS House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. MY DEAR SIR: Will you please present to the committee for its informationTM and consideration the following wire received this date from the Association of Insurance Agents, Ann Arbor, Mich.: "Please ask Post Office Committee to report Hobbs bill out favorably." Thanking you, I am, Yours sincerely, EARL C. MICHENER, M. C.. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Washington, D. C., March 22, 1985. Hon. JAMES M. MEAD, Chairman Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads, House Office Building, Washington, D. C. DEAR MR. MEAD: I attach copy of wire, concerning H. R. 6452 now pending before you, from one of the most representative concerns in my congressional district in Maine, and I shall appreciate such consideration as it may warrant. Cordially yours, RALPH O. BREWSTER. We urge that you ask Post Office Committee of the House to report favorably on H. R. 6452, introduced by Congressman Hobbs, of Alabama, prohibiting the use of the mails to unauthorized insurance carriers. Kindest regards. Respectfully referred to Post Office Committee, House of Representatives. Very respectfully, EDWIN M. SCHAEFER, Member of Congress, Twenty-second District. [Telegram] Hon. EDWIN M. SCHAEFER, GRANITE CITY, ILL., March 22, 1935. House of Representatives: Please ask Post Office Committee of House to report favorably bill H. R. 6452. HOLSINGER THEIS & Co. In re H. R. 6452. Hon. JAMES M. MEAD, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Chairman Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads, Washington, D. C. DEAR SIR: I merely wish to transmit to you, as chairman of the committee before whom the above-named measure bill appear upon being reported by the subcommittee now having it under consideration, that I have had numerous requests from my constituents who desire that this measure be reported favorably by your committee as speedily as possible. Very truly yours, CHARLES A. PLUMLEY. FRANKEL-ROSE Co., Chicago, March 27, 1935. Re H. R. 6452. Hon. Wм. ASHBROOK, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. HONORABLE SIR: We, as an advertising agency, believe that the above-proposed legislation is unjust to those mail-order insurance companies of reputable estabished standing. May we point out to you, that these reputable mail-order insurance companies conduct their business entirely by mail without employing the human agnecy and due to this fact many costs are eliminated, thus providing insurance to the public at a minimum cost. To secure individual license from each State in order to conduct a mail-order insurance business, would increase the cost of doing business prohibitively and would immediately force many good companies out of business. Further, the Supreme Court of the United States has ruled many times, that where the business is conducted by employing the use of the mail, the company does not do business in the State where the transaction emanates, but rather in the State where the transaction is consummated, namely its home State. Citation as follows: Thirty-second Corpus Juris, page 989, section 21, citing Allgeyer v. Louisiana (165 U. S. Sup. Ct. Repts. 578) and many other cases, quote "the State cannot forbid contracts being made between a citizen and a corporation of another State". Another leading case involving insurance transaction by mail is Minnesota Commercial Men's Association v. Benn (261 U. S. Repts. 140). Also, Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Co. v. Spartley, Supra, and Penn Lumberman's Insurance Company v. Meyer (197 U. S. 407, 25 Sup. Ct. 483, 49 L. Sd. 810). In addition the companies are already under the jurisdiction of the Post Office Department. To summarize, Federal legislation in addition to the already existing laws is unnecessary to accomplish the purpose of this measure. Individual State insurance commissioners are in a position to correct any evils that may exist within their own State. This matter should be carefully considered in all its phases as the insurance companies and all other industries directly or indirectly affected, including employees, will be hampered financially should this bill become law. Yours very truly, FRANKEL-ROSE COMPANY. Hon. WILLIAM ASHBROOK, NATIONAL BENEFIT ACCIDENT ASSOCIATION, Member of Congress, Washington, D. C. DEAR MR. ASHBROOK: Regarding the Hobbs' bill (H. R. 6452), I earnestly urge that you vote to report unfavorably thereupon, as it will do much more harm than good, if it becomes a law. Yours respectfully, R. D. HARROP. AMERICAN REPUBLIC INSURANCE Co., Hon. WILLIAM A. ASHBROOK, Member of Congress, Washington, D. C. DEAR MR. ASHBROOK: H. R. 6452, which I believe is called the Hobbs' bill, if enacted, will be far more harmful than helpful. As a member of the committee considering it, I ask that you vote to report this bill unfavorably. Yours very truly, [Telegram] H. H. GUNN, Secretary. Honorable Congressman MEAD, ROANOKE, VA., March 27, 1935. Chairman Subcommittee Post Offices and Postal Routes, Washington, D. C. As superintendent church extension department board, Home Missions, Methodist Episcopal Church headquarters, Wesley Building, Philadelphia, I appeal in behalf of 3,000 churches on insurance lists that you prevent passage of Hobbs insurance bill. Nearly 1,000 church loans we carry would thereby be endangered, as they spread over all States. Hon. WILLIAM ASHBROOK, F. W. MUELLER. DES MOINES, Iowa, March 26, 1935. Member of Congress, Washington, D. C. DEAR MR. ASHBROOK: I urge that you vote to report unfavorably the Hobbs bill, H. R. 6452. If this bill becomes a law, it will do far more harm than good. Hon. WILLIAM ASHBROOK, E. T. HICKMAN. THE TRUCKERS AGENCY, Member of Congress, Washington, D. C. DEAR MR. ASHBROOK: I am greatly opposed to the Hobbs bill, H. R. 6452 and ask that you vote to report it unfavorably. If this bill is passed it will do tremendous damage to many fine, serviceable companies The remedy for the condition it seeks to change does not lie with Congress, but with the various State insurance departments. Yours truly, NORMAN ETTINGER. THE PROVIDENT LIFE AND ACCIDENT INSURANCE CO., Hon. WILLIAM ASHBROOK, Member of Congress, Washington, D. C. DEAR MR. ASHBROOK: I respectfully request and urge that your committee considering the Hobbs bill, H. R. 6452, report the bill unfavorably. The country does not need this legislation and if it is enacted, it will do more harm than good. No legislation a Congress can enact can separate the sheep from the goats, and any legislation enacted will do irreparable injury to many fine old institutions which have rendered greater service to policyholders than any other group of insurance organizations. Undoubtedly some fly-by-night organizations do exist, but State insurance commissioners can weed them out without doing damage to sturdy, serviceable concerns which should be encouraged rather than abolished. Respectfully yours, Hon. WILLIAM ASHBROOK, WATSON POWELL. CASUALTY RESEARCH BUREAU, Member of Congress, Washington, D. C. DEAR MR. ASHBROOK: I urge you as a member of the committee considering the Hobbs' bill, H. R. 6452, to oppose it. I am confident that you will serve your constituents best by voting to report this bill unfavorably. Respectfully, CASUALTY RESEARCH BUREAU, Ltd., EMPLOYED OFFICERS' ALLIANCE, YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATIONS OF NORTH AMERICA The Employed Officers' Alliance was organized in June 1880 by a group of employed officers of the Young Men's Christian Association for the purpose of helping the families of their fellow employed officers who die while in Y. M. C. A. service. At the present time there are 2,340 members, 65 percent of all men with secretarial standing in Canada and the United States. Four hundred and nine deaths have occurred in the 541⁄2 years of operation. Benefits totaling $2,000,000 have been paid. In 1934 the total sum paid in benefits was $77,333.01. General operating expenses for that year totaled $7,155.21. The average number of deaths for the past 3 years was 16, and the average benefit paid $4,450. In connection with its activities certain problems confronted the alliance, namely: (1) Increase in the number of assessments; (2) the Y. M. C. A. retirement fund, continuing members over 60 years of age in the alliance; (3) no increase in the number of secretaries in the Y. M. C. A.; (4) no plan for automatically enlisting all entrants into Y. M. C. A. work in the alliance; (5) various forms of insurance being made attractive to the younger secretaries, particularly the popular group method of insurance. With a view to solving these problems, Mr. George B. Buck, of New York City, one of the country's outstanding actuaries, was requested to make a study of the most advantageous form of operation for the alliance to follow. The reorganization plan he proposed was adopted by the membership on January 1, 1932. As a result, the following were established: (1) A graduated scale of assessments (2) a maximum benefit of $5,000; (3) a reduced benefit for members over 60 years of age. Under the existing method of operation, when a death occurs a call is issued to the membership at large, requesting payment within 30 days of the prescribed assessment. All payments received within 60 days from the date of the assessment notice are paid to the beneficiary, minus 15 cents deducted from each individual's payment. The sum deducted is retained by the Secretary-Treasurer to cover the expense of administering the fund. 128691-35- -9 All assessment funds received after expiration of the 60-day period are desposited in a fund known as the "penalties account." This fund is used to cover travel and other expenses incidental to the work of the executive committee. A surplus fund is created from remittances received on assessments made upon the death of a retired member whose beneficiary is paid a reduced benefit. This surplus fund may, in the discretion of the executive committee, be used in lieu of an assessment. Such discretionary authority was exercised on three occasions during the year 1934. Regular meetings of the alliance are held in conjunction with each regular Employed Officers' Conference and each regular International Convention of the Young Men's Christian Associations of North America. In the interim between its meetings the affairs of the alliance are administered by an executive committee of five members. In summing up, may we point out: 1. The long years of continuous operation of this fund, 541⁄2 years. 2. The fund is operated for the benefit of Y. M. C. A. secretaries only. 3. Its agreement or contract does not obligate to pay a fixed amount. The amount paid beneficiaries is in proportion to the participation of the membership. 4. The permanency or continuance of the Employed Officers' Alliance is more or less assured because of the natural as well as authoritative urge upon the new younger secretaries to become participants. Respectfully submitted. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, General Secretary Y. M. C. A., Cincinnati, Ohio, General Secretary Y. M. C. A., Hartford, Conn., Secretary, Transportation Department, National Council, New York City, Hon. JAMES M. MEAD, L. W. DEGAST, General Secretary Y. M. C. A., Washington, D. C., State Secretary Y. M. C. A., Newark, N. J., KARL A. SCHUMAKER, Secretary-Treasurer. Chairman Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads, House of Representatives. DEAR MR. MEAD: My attention has been called to H. R. 6452 recently introduced by Congressman Hobbs, and referred to your committee. We have given special consideration to this measure and I am advising you that the Michigan Department of Insurance heartily favors the passage of this bill. Every week brings to this office a number of letters making complaints against various companies that operate by mail without being domiciled in the State. There is no way in which we can reach them under our State law. This measure will give us the authority for such supervision and control, and that authority is much needed to save many of our people from the inroads of these irresponsible companies. This is the first time I have had to communicate with you in my new official position, and I am very happy to have this opportunity because of my former association back in 1921-23 with some of the members of your committee. I should be glad to be remembered to my former associates. With best personal wishes, I remain, Yours very truly, JOHN C. KETCHAM, Commissioner. |