New-York tribune., 1899-07-27
INSURANCE MEN DINE.
CELEBRATION OF THE EQUITABLE So
CIETY's FORTIETH YEAR.
DINNER AT THE wALDoRF-AsToRlA Al
TENDED BY MANY WELL KNOWN
GUEsTs-A LOVING CUP FOR
Mr.. ALEXANDER.
Mr.. ALEXANDER

Mr. ALEXANDER.
More than five hundred managers ana aseh' !"
the employ Of the Equitable Life Assurance 'o-
ciety gathered from all parts OF the Uni'eu o'7s'
together with many men OF the highest '''n
in all walks OF life met last night in the panque'
hall Of the Waldorf-Astoria TO celebrate INC iO'
tieth anniversary Of the institution. which started
In 1859 in modest circumstances, to-day STATUS al
the front rank OF the worlds insurance corpora
tions
For three days the agents managers ana eNecu-
tive officials have been observing the company
fortieth birthday with conventions and discus
sons on matters pertaining to insurance olVers-
fed with recreation sandwiched between times
They ended the celebration last night WIN u'"
ner. While II inevitable that the sPea'''"s
should for the most part be confined to the oe'e
fits and wisdom Of life insurance, and 10 the e'ea'
progress which the Equitable company mas "naue
In its forty years Of existence. yet the ai'e' u'"
ner addresses were not wholly devoted 10 matters
OF sombre business import Witty men IKE bIs"op
Potter, Chauncy NJ. Depew and ex-Judee "e'S
f. Howland leavened the serious with interesting
anecdote and humorous phrases. And from 'i'e
lips Of every speaker fell some word OF reCos
milton Of the life work and character OF 'I'e '
Henry r Hyde, and OF acknowledgment tha' 10
his efforts more than to any other impetus was
due the present standing of the company.
In the galleries seated more than Two nun
dred women. the wives and daughters OF the VISIT
ing agents and managers.
James w. Alexander. who succeeded the late MT
Hyde in the presidency Of the company presiueu'
and seated with him AT the head table Were eA-
Governor Levi p. Morton James n Hyde senator
elect Chauncey NJ. Depew Bishop Henry - "
ter Cornelius n. Bliss ex-Secretary OF the IN
terror A. J. Cassatt ex-Judge Henry r. now
land; Rabbi schulman John A. Mccall John H.
Hegeman. General Wesley Merritt. General LOUIS
Fitzgerald. s D. Ripley T. D. Jordan W n. NC
Intyre Francis W Jackson. A. W. Maine II. "
Ham. Joel @. Van Cise. DR. Edward w Lahoe'|
Henry NJ. Alexander. V. P Snyder MarceIluS ~
Hartley William Alexander, James O. BatteIsoh'
Gage f Tarbell Robert A. Granniss. Baron MAR
schan Won Bieberstein. George 7. Wilson and Herr
Won Knebel Doeberitz
Among the guests were Henry Clews. Charles
Stewart Smith Colonel John J. McCook. T. De wiz
Cuyler George II. Squire. Charles B. Alexander &
Iedyard Blair. II NJ Alexander. jr.. Bainbrldge
Colby. Lyman Rhoades Charlton T. Lewis, J. . A.
Ward A. S Ochs Alvin ". Klech. Right Rev.
F. Talbot, DR. Milton F. Smith, Jacob II schln'
James II. Durham. william A. Tower. David IL
Mofat Brayton Ives. A. Van Santvoord John T.
Searles. Horace ]. Fairchiid. Thomas 5 Young
J. r de Navarro Colonel Alfred Wagstah' Ernst
Thalmann. Charles 4. Flint. George W. Jenkins
Colonel ". D. Mann. Robert Olyphant George
Slecher J. b Cauldwei. A. s. Capehart, William
ward B. Craig, W. H jenkins. William Allen But
ler tr. Oliver Hartman jr.. Ernest r. Adee, W.
c. Guver, Frederick Bracket the Hon. j A
j. B. \ >.
Wood George B. Hopkins. II. a. Smith, George X
Bidwen Simeon Ford. Louis II. Orr. General J.
Stahel William c. Demorest Judson S Todd j.
c. Wilson. jr Lieutenant Commander J. C. Ere
mont General c. II. T. Coils. Joseph Howard. jr.,
John King Duer, Allan McCuloch II. C. Deming'
c. W. Bowen, L. G. Patterson. jr.. John L. Helms
Z. J. Conley D. ". Botassi, Felix Aucaigne, Count
F. Prat. Or. Joaquin Yea. FREDERICK Bergman, ].
c. Rocquet A A. Springmeyer II. II. Dean. Dr.
W. r. Bross. Walter E Johnson, 5. 5. McCurdy.
F. Al Pendreigh. c. F. Williamson. W. E. Taylor
W. y. Edelsten, T. c. Caskin, F. G. Hallet, W.
Teplow. " Polevay, s. Uchida. Munji Bey Kikri'
John r. Planten, VI. Murray. DR.. Arthur Pel, Will
lam E. Johnson, Samuel Frost Dr. W. 5. seamans,
Or. A. J. Fox, ". J. Mcguire. Dr. G. E. Mackey.
G. F. Brophy ". p Halsted and NJ. Coleman.
MR.. ALEXANDER's ADDRESS.
When Mr.. Alexander arose to make the open
ing address he was so warmly greeted that It was
time before he could begin. He opened by
remarking the close ties that bound all the en-
ployes OF the society in common affection and
interest. ard then went to say:
believe that there is some expectation that the
LaughterD There are many who have been licking
their chops while watching that wa termelon smIl-
I declare to you that by our charter. by the laws
OF the State by solemn contracts. by the prom
ises OF honorable given day In and day out dur
ever be diverted from the policy holders 70 whom IL
belongs. and they shall get It all. (Appause)
only forty years ago our honored society hon
ored not only by our own EQUITABLE family but by
the whole world. was launched fraii bark on
tempestuous seas. shall not weary you with sta
tstics OF our achevements-they are familiar to
every one of you. They have become such house
hold words that II needs shock IKE this signal
tremendous import (Applause)
But in the midst Of our justihable rejoicing a
shade OF sadness crosses the sunlight and makes
pause one great figure in the history OF this
society is absent. He who held the helm the
start and who shaped the course and steered the
ship to success has vanished from circle. bu-
the good he did lives after him, and while cee-
and lay wreath upon his yet green grave.
This instituton-this Equitable-which he found,
ed and fostered is his monument. TO stand for az
time. a testimony 70 the wisdom. strength and
! see here tonight our directors our faithful Off
GERS. heads Of departments and old clerks I see
the pick Of our magnificent corps OF managers and
agents. ! see the presidents OF our larger sister
companies and see these honored invited guests
is the word that one who loves the Equitable so
ciety should say 10 this notable company on this
done or KEYNOTE for the fture 81 what '
Profoundly sensible Of the responsibility that has
sociates Impressed with the solemnity OF the trust
assumed. with sincere affection for my brothers in
Office In the field. encouraged by the support ot a
loyal and harmonious body OF able officers. direct
GTs 6n of & society ha be make & by
equity and conscientious regard for what Is rlght
and best in the conduct Of such sacred calling
and that volume Of business shall be important
only as secondary consideration. (Cheers)
our balance sheet shall represent nothing that
IS not worth what is there stated. our investments
shall be made first for permanence. and next forr
productiveness. our premiums and reserves shaH
be put on the most rigidly conservative basis
Methods which tend 10 weaken rather than 70
strengthen shall be avoided The disposition or
some agents TO make different rates to different
people shall be restrained. but less by compact
than by removing the incentive. No rush for tenn
porary popularity shall seduce US from doing what
goes for safety economy and ultimate strength
we shall avoid what Is claptrap and pyrotechnic
and devote ourselves 70 what IS fundamental
We shall recognize that neighbors In the
business have their title TO respect well as our
selves and shall endeavor TO stamp out the con
temptible practice OF uplifting ourselves by tearing
down our rivals There is glory enough for all
(Cheers)
Before Mr. Alexander could proceed to introduce
the next speaker he was interrupted by com
mittee OF the assembled agents who announced
that they had a report to make This report as
voiced by Frank s Levy. the chairman OF the com