, 1903-01-30
PENN MUTUAL .
MANAGEMENT
The Greatest Year in Its
History-Many Important
Gains-A. Purely Mutual
Organization Controlled by
Its Members.

The ffty-fifth annual report of the
Penn Mutual is in conspicuous eVl-
dence to-day in the newspapers, and In
Nites the consideration of more than
40, 900 members. Beginning in a small
way, the growth of the company has
been by slow and steady accretion, and
to-day it ranks among the largest ana
safest institutions. What it gains II
holds. Progress is always Onward
and while some years it may gain more
than others, the records show that each
has been a substantial growth upon
the preceding one.
Desiring some general information, a
reporter sought an interview with
Harry f. West, who has presided over
the destinies of the company since July,
1897. Mr.. West is always approaenaDle.
He may be considering a large M
vestment in bonds, or looking up NOR
tality in a district, or doing one OF ten
thousand important things which at
tach to his office as president, but ne
is ever the same courteous, tactful offl-
Ger. feeling the weight of responsibility,
it is true, nevertheless keenly alive TO
the demands of the moment, trivial as
they may seem. He knows the value
of little things, and the Importance OF
holding the right attitude to everyone,
policy-holder or stranger, who eVlnces
an interest in the affairs of the Penn
Mutual. and so preserves for 1t that
favorable influence which is undoubted-
ly a large factor in its growth.
Being questioned about the work OF
last year, he said, in part: Yes, II
was our fullest, largest and best. we
insured on our various plans 29,t29
men and women, to the amount OF
s69. $50. III, running ahead of the prior
year something over $1,000, 900. wee
President Johnson tells me tna'
no other company has ever INSIDE
xHrrfffnT1 or arr Z
percentage Of new business 10 the oc
business in force, and this is remark
able" .4
ITO what or whom do you attribute
dt?" v
saThere were several factors in 1t. w
think our variou plans of insurance
are unsurpassed anywhere. Thelf grea
variety makes it possible to fit tn.
applicant with just the variety whlcl
ne needs. He exercise a via
choice, and is not compelled TO acceP
something Which only partially meet
the situation -,
''What about your agency corps!
The finest in the world! Many G
them have grown up with the lnstllu
ton. h know it through an
through: their interests are centre
here; they know our contracts VII
them are as inviolable as our polcle
of insurance; they have knowledge .
the basis OF tnelf eiieiSy any
asm. We know they are intelllgen
capable. trustworthy, and 1t is ne
to be wondered that he average pr
duct of each is annually very ing
Capable as they are, they could a.
,complish little if they lacked con1den'
in the management, by whlchl me-
~ aI6A
o. Ug principles on which the institu
ton is conducted. it's just treatment {
A1a ~ AprhorchfD a nd Tho nrocnrtot tno r
all proper safeguards. But after all
said and done, one must admit that tn
main reason for our large growth las
year was the continuous prosperity {
the country. Men n women in larg
numbers, as never before, were able I
buy and pay for life insurance. c
course it has struck you that thos
who most need life insurance have. as
rule, the least of it; and contrariwis'
che m~illionaires, who reasonably ma