The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-01-16
PRoSpERITY'S SURE Pko0l
LIFE INSURARCE MEN TALK OF the
RETURN or coo TIMES.

Nero uuainess or np Investment Chnrac,cr
Done In lsB Than for six Years Iict.
ter Conditions OF BusiHesa Entcrprlsc All
over the Conntry shown by Their Returns.
Now that tho year 1907 ia over II is possible
to consider the question of its prosperity from
the point OF Wow Of actual results, and 10 gauge
It by tho condition Of business enterprise.
Tho large business interests of the country
furnish a direct rofutation OF the statcmcn.
which Senator Stewart of Nevada made 70.
Gently in Chicago. that there Is no prosperity
In this country at present" Tho excellent
standing Of railroad properties throughout the
United States, the increasing earning capacity
Of those properties, the growing value OF farm
products, and the revival Of commercial indus.
tries in all directions, are only a few OF tho
many proofs that the last year was prosperous.
Senator Stewart himself had to acknowledge
that the financial and commercial condition Of
the trans.Mlssouri country Is a great deal hct.
ter than 1t was a year ago. lie said that gold
and silver mines arc being developed every
day In the West, that wheat.raising States are
experiencing n sort of boom, and that the cattle
business is better than for many years.
One OF the means OF Judging the feeling OF
prosperity which exists Ia through tho condi.
ton Of the large life insurance companies, which
reach all classes and arc affected directly by
any change in the feeling of the people. Tho
Or1CerS OF SeVeral OF tne lhrRc companies OF
this city have given to THE Sun their views
about The prosperity OF the country MS evidenced
by their business. President John A. Mccall
had been the most prosperous and succcssfui
year his company had ever had.
suranee from western and Southern direetions.
hc continued, and these inquiries were gen.
orally for hieh;class Investment insurance
rather than for tho cheap plan OF pure nrotcc.
ton without tho Investment feature. In addi.
ton to this healthy, demand for insurance, there
wSr q 1eW than iin IN asS Of P9fhn the SIX ye earsq I h%Ss be Sss
President of this company, On the whole, the
e e9@,IiEiHdI . and Sff the psymcnt Of cash di Widen GSS tn
policy holders, in the last twelve. months has
been $3.50. GOO more than WINS paid in ls96"
Richard A. McCurdy said that although the sta.
tistics Of the business Of his company for 1897
there had been increased business. with II clear
Indication Of improved business conditions anda
S' "This . country Is GENERALS; growing in pros.
perity," Mr.. McCurdy continued. 1.-THE increase
e to ppSspSSrit WITH e. P 3Hat Of is ot GsPh" aoun n1f ss F as !
used to DO. But it Is continuous. and marked.
in spite of occasional setbncks. What the coun.
tainty which has prevailed of late years Is
peace, 1 mean economic peace. The business
classes and by wild political agitation. But tho
results OF the last year in our company are .
upon another era Of prosperity, which should
lead TO- rapid development in all lines of bust.
ness. inc insurance business Is conducted on
conservative principles, and its prosperity
shows a feeling, of confidence and security
among the people. The growth Of insurance
Tor purposes of investment as well as for pro.
tcctionSagainst accidents and death is n clear
Indication Of prosperity"
vice.President James W. Alexander of tho
Equitable said:
IA company like tho Equitable. transacting
business in every town and hamlet of the United
States, has the opportunity of feeling the pulse
of the public, in regard to the commercial and
financial status. with comparative accuracy. For
several years business has progressed, with a
brake on. Now the brakes are off. and there is
no question whatever of the difference in feel.
ing. Hopefulness and confidence are more prev.
alent, and the very existence Of such a feeling
OF this company during 1897 have shown u
constant and increasing change for the better.
Investment securities have been enhanced in
value. and active agents who in recent years
have found 1t difficult to meet their business
expenses are now finding the public ready, to
1898 is very bright, and information comes in
every day through tho many arteries reaching
out to the most distant parts of the country
that a spirit prevails altogether in contrast with
the gloom of past years. How much of this 10
due to the individual prestige of the company I
cannot say; Probably both influences have
their effect"