The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-11-07

The District Court Of Appeals yesterday
handed down an important decision thai
has been awaited for several weeks witt
much anxiety by a large number Of stock
holders of the Mutual Life Insurance
Company. In the case OF Samuel H
Walker and others against Richard H
Johnson and others. over the affairs Of
this company the court affirms the decis-
ion of the lower court, UNFOLDING the coun,
of ballots and the election of officers made
year ago, which Mr.. Walker and his
friends disputed. The decision Of the
lower court was rendered several months
ago by Justice Cole. Mr.. Justice Norris
handed down the decision of the Court OF
Appeals yesterday.
This decision has been generally expect
ed, it is said. and gives no surprise even
to Mr.. Walker and his friends. 1t marks
the ending of another chapter in the his
tory Of the most litigous and bellis-
erent crowd of stockholders in any cor
poration in the District. 1t settles the
fight OF year ago. and for the present
dethrones Mr.. Walker. the former presi-
dent Of the company, from power. The
statement is made confidently by the
Walker champions, however, that last
years fight will be mild one when this
years comes, a few weeks from now, at
the end of the year. AS a matter of fact,
this years fight has begun already as far
as the Walker faction is concerned
Rumor has it that many former opponents
and the large silent vote are coming
to the Walker standard in a landslide.
Already the Walker party. now posi-
.fyalv nd off ,ia utc ba, 10
gun to prepare ammunition in the shape
of former statements Of the company.
earnings dividends. and many other mat
tiers that they say will confound their op-
ponents. They are canvassing for con-
yerts by sending out special notices" to
stockholders in large numbers. The hint
was fioated among stockholders yesterday
that bomb is to be exploded to-
day or In the very near future.
1t is understood that Mr.. Walker and
his friends charge the present manage
ment with gross Acknowledgement and in
tend to carry the next election on this
platform. and failing in this to go to the
courts again. The present officers deny
the mismanagement and point to the fact
that they carried the election last year
as an evidence that the stockholders Of
the company have confidence in them.
The officers of the Mutual are the fol-
lowing: w. A. H. Church, President: l..
Pierce Boteler Secretary; Nathan r. Mac
gill. Assistant Secretary; G. T. bearing.
Treasurer. and Franklin Barrett. Asses
scr. These officers were elected year
ago after a fierce battle of ballots and
words at the Office Of the company 5o2
Avenue. which at one time
became so exciting that the police were
called in to preside.
The contesting faction, headed by Mr..
Walker. then president. had made great
effort to corner majority of the votes.
After the election 1t charged the winning
side Immediately with having used lille
gal methods in securing proxy votes and
running the election machinery.
Mr.. Walker and his friends entered suit
gainst the officers TO restrain them from
the ballots. technically, though
It was well known without count which
iad won according to the votes cast. The
suit for an injunction was denied by the
District Supreme Court The outs then
COX the case to the Court of Appeals.
Mr.. Walker refuses to discuss his in
entions regarding the Mutual Company
,ffairs except to refer to his special no.
ices"
1t Is generally understood that the
outs" wish to be Reelected. The charge
made by their friends is that when they
attempted to make reforms in the man
cement of the company the present cih-
ers, who have always held large in
crest in 1t. secured their dismissal ty |
raud. 1t is stated by these friends that |
he present methods Of the company are
negotiable to stockholders, giving old