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Show COMPULSORY AUTOMOBILE LIABILITY INSURANCE. This subject will undoubtedly receive considerable attention at the hands of future lawmaking bodies. It is a subject deserving of serious consideration but it will be seized upon 'by advocates of state socialism as a vehicle for inaugurating their schemes of public ownership owner-ship of industry. There may be sound reasons for the state: requiring automobile owners to carry liability insurance to protect the public in case of accidents, but there is no sound argument for demanding that the state go into the liability insurance business in order to furnish such protection. Compulsory automobile liability insurance operated without state fund interference but entirely through the agency of recognized insurance companies is termed an unqualified success as operated in Switzerland. The fact that in a number of states an insurance fund is maintained main-tained in connection with workmen's compensation insurance, is no excuse for extending the system which is in its elf contrary to American Ameri-can ideals of government. Let the state pass its laws protecting workmen cr the public and provide what damage they shall be entitled to in case of injury. Then let the state see that these laws are comp lied with through the channels of private business. It has all the regulatory and police power at its command. If it is not capable of enforcing its laws and regulations, it is not capable of operating business or industry. If it is capable of enforcing its laws and regulations, it is not necessary- for the state to operate business or industry. Let legislators and lawmakers bev.are of new schemes to put the state into business. |
