Show i I State Insurance Commission Rules on Burial Societies Jurisdiction slim of the state insurance commissioners extends to buri burial J societies so so- an and similar associations operated oper oper- in Utah Deputy Attorney General General Gen Oen- eral S. S D. D Huffaker has ruled in an Pinion to J. J G. G state in- in suran surane commissioner Mr Huffaker said such societies are insurance companies companies com com- under the lav law Mr requested the opInIon opinion opinion ion after he found that several societies sode- sode ties ties- are in the state without certificates from Iron his office and without paying required fees He said members of societies pay a stated elated sum mm I to the association upon the death of another member and the society then pays the I heirs of the deceased the sum collect collect- ed Semi annual dues also are paid by members Mr said I Mr Huffaker ruled that where a I member of the society contracts to pay paya I a death assessment and the society is legally obligated to pay a II sum to the I heirs the society is engaging in Insurance in insurance insurance In- In and must comply with state insurance laws However the opinion said where no contract exists and the company is is' under no legal obligation to pay insurance cannot be sat said to ex ex- The ruling is of particular interest to people of Cedar City and southern Utah since their has been cons considerable over the organization of the Iron Beaver County Mutual Aid Society in these three counties The Society was U supposed to have been organized with Dr M. M J. J Macfarlane and H. H H. H Lunt of Cedar CI City y Warner Mitchell of Parowan and prominent men of Beaver and Washington Washington Wash Wash- ington counties as directors Articles from interested parties have appeared in two issues of The Record giving different views on the question |