The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-11-04
Agent of Mutual Life Co.
Short in His Accounts.
OvERDREW COMMISSIONS
Shortage Found When Barker'S
Books We're Examined.
THE DEPOSED AGENT EXPLAINS.

Boston, Nov AIR. T.. S. Barker who
for 10 years has been the Boston general
agent of the State Mutual Life Company,
has been removed.
Only last week the agency was reorgan-
lied, Messrs. William u. Williams and
Elias B. Jones, who had for some time
been connected with the agency, purohas-
ing an interest and forming partnership
with Mr.. Barker.
In the adjustment of the accounts iu-
cident TO this change IL was revealed that
there was a considerable deficiency, which
prevented tho arrangement OF the partner
ship.
Messrs. Williams & Jones, which is To
conduct the business of the agency at the
old stand. AZ Congress street
Mr. Braker 4 default is stated to DO of
but "a moderate amount. certainly not
enough TO em mbarrass the company in the
slightest degree Besides, the company,
under this contract has such security,
besides bond In "a surety company, that
its ultimate loss can only be inconsider-
able.
Mr.. Barker has been in management
of the company's interests here for about
~ years. and has had its confidence, until
last week q revelations. Whether criminal
company or by the surety company. Is
not yet decided.
Mr.. Barker told reporter that il was
perfectly true that he mad been removed
because he was short ia his accounts
And the cause" he continued, autIci-
pating his visitors question, IL can only
say IL was entirely due 10 carelessness in
keeping my accounts There is nothing
criminal in this, sir, Of course you must
understand, for If there had been, il was
only necessary for me TO draw my check
and l should not have been here. but
am not that kiId Of "a man.
Il don't know any other way of ex-
pressing IL than to say that il was shift
lessness. perhaps, in keeping my books
for l never was an accountant, but have
worked early and late for this company
and my business. l took gr,at pride in
1t. When 1 came To the position there
was not name on the books. That was
l2 years ago, and have built mp the bust
ness of the company in Boston until it
has become the largest it has anyw here
reaching to the millions. l worked early
and late, giving myself no rest. l took
no vacation in all that time and pre-
sumed myself to be n man Of means
II have tecn robbed. sir: that just
expresses it, | nave lost my money in
accommodations. 1t was Barker is
Rood fellow, and man would cone TO
me and want "A hundred here or 10 borrow
more there, and let him have IL. But
when expected n retarB il did bet eeftc.
When IL was proposed to start the new
firm, and 10 became necessary To audit
all my accounts and business found my
self short. l told Mr.. Bullock when
went up 10 Worcester that | was snort. /
had over drawn my commissions, as al
most every agent does at times, and |
trusted. when 1 had got back what had
loaned 10 others and what was justly due
me, to make everything good an straight
en- tho whole matter out 1 couiu nave
done IL. too, If l had be paid what was
my own. But, of course, when over
drew my commissions l broke my agents
contract, ann ] had TO GO when they re-
quired IL, but the company does not loso
one cent on my account, nor will il.