REPORT OF TRiE COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE.


11


OTHIER INV\ ESTIGATIONS.
The repeal of the rate-inakitig law in Missouri, and the chaotic
conditions resulting, will no. doubt bring about a thorough inves-
tigation of the subject in that state. Investigations awre now
eitlher in progress or have been provided4 for in the states of Ohio,
Pennsylvania and North Carolina. The -N~ational Convention oif
Insurance Commissioners, has appointed a special committee upon
the subject. The operation, olf the laws in Kentucky, Kansas
and Texas is a subject of much controversy and comment, and
recent legislation in Ne-w York, New Jersey, West Virginia and
Washington attemnpts to seek a middle ground. The whole ques-
tion is one of such iinmortance that a compilation of the various
statutes relating to fire insurance rate-making has been made
and printed herewith, of which the following is a summary:
DEGREES OF SUPERVISION.
Fourteen states have laws to regulate fire insurance rate miak-
ing. In two, other sta.tes such laws were enacted but subsequently
repealed. The la-w of the state of MTontana contemplates the least
exercise of gover-nmental authority over the fire insurance rate.
It is simply an anti-discrimination law, prohibiting any distinetion
between property and the same class, or grade, of fire protection
in the making of the rate. The state; of Oklahoma, has such a pro-
vision in its anti-trust laMw, and the insurance commissioner of
that state has' declared that the same applies to fire insurance,
rates.,
APPEAL TO STATE AUTHORITY.
Twelvre states have instituted a. tribunal for the hearin. and
review of comlplainits as to fire insurance rates somewhat in the
way the railroad colunlisisionis acire empowered to hear complaints
as to railroad rates. 'Massaachusetts has a board of appeal with
authority to review charges that a rate is excessive, unfair or dis-
crimninatory. This board of appeal is required to make such.
recommendations; as it deems advisable, but here its power ends.
South Carolina. has vested this authority of review in its insur-
ance comrmissioner who may, upon a finding of discrimination,
order a company to make due correction of a rate. If the eonu-