Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-09-20
Declares Making Unau.
thorized Expenditures
is Daily Occurrence.
HIMSELF BEST JUDGE.
Pinned Down to Statements
Regarding Alleged Legis-
iative Lobbying.

New York. Sept. 20.-John A. Nc
Call, president of the New York Life
Insurance company. was witness to-
day before the legislative insurance in
vestigation committee. After being
sworn and giving preliminary informa-
ton as TO business and residence. he
said it was true that he had drawn
checks on the company's account with
out the approval of the finance commit
tee. He said this was almost daily
occurrence. He is sole Judge of what
checks should be drawn without au-
thority.
Hamilton Has Charge.
Andrew A. Hamilton. he said has
charge of the real estate of the COM
pany Throughout the country on a sal
airy of $4,000. Taking up 100000 in
checks sent to Albany Mccall said he
gave them to Hamilton.
In 1904 the company determined to
buy block in the rear of the home Of
flee in this city He sent for a real es-'
tate agent to take the subject up quiet
ly; the New York Life was not to be
known in the transaction. In Decem-
thought the block could be procured
for $l,100.00O. and that Is per cent of
this should be available quickly. -.
Ordered Check. Drawn.
Il told him." said Mccall. II would
put him in touch with Hamilton. Pur-
suant to that ordered the two checks
in question drawn. Vouchers will
show what they were drawn for
"He procured the vouchers and iden-
titled them. One was a controllers
warrant. and the other Hamilton's re-
ceipt The words, for temporary use
on one OF the vouchers Mccall had
placed so as to be used for the pur
pose directed and to be reported back
to the board He said 500. 900 has been
accounted for by Hamilton.
Aeeouns Rendered Orally.
The account, the witness said, was
rendered orally to Mccall at his ONCE.
He said Hamilton had paid out $780,.
900 on the Elm street property. and
there is still $235.000 unexpended.
Checks were produced. They were
nine in number. four to the order of
John N Golding. real estate broker.
and FIVE to the order of Andrew A.
Hamilton.
May Have been Used at Albany.
During McCalls term II was brought
out that $285.OOO had been placed by
the New York Life TO Andrew A. Ham.
ilton, and that no accounting for this
money has been made except to Nc
Cali. verbally. and that Hamilton at
tends the sessions of the legislature at
Albany in close interest Of the New
York Life.
Mccall Prove. Evasive.-
Mccall said various sums. making
up the $235. 900 paid TO Hamilton. had
been given him in connection with diff
ferent real estate deals. but after con-
siderable questioning the fact develop
ed that none of the money had been
applied TO such deals. Mccall also
said Hamilton was allowed money for
expenses at Albany and that Hamil-
tons accounts were not subject to
audit.
Nakcs Specific DeninI.
Mccall denied he gave Hamilton
money TO influence any member of the
legislature or that he advised any such
course. The $235.00o. Mccall said. he
was sure would be paid by Hamilton
on demand of the company.
IF ii isn't" said Mccall. I'm respon
sible and III pay it,
Hamilton received for legal services,
he said. about 100000 year.
Upheld Gold standard.
On the subject of the company's
campaign contributions in recent pres
idential years Mccall said they were
given for the purpose of defeating the
silver platform and for the support OF
the gold standard rather than Of the
republican party.
Comedies No Room for Opinion.
AS to the contribution to the repub-
hcan campaign fund in 1904. Mccall
said he did not care how many of the
policy holders agreed with his action.
He made the contribution honestly be-
lieying IL was justified and for the in
terest OF the policy holders, and he
assumed entire responsibility.
Morton VIII start suit.
New York. Sept 20.-PauI Morton,
president of the Equitable Life Assur
ance society. has made public the fact
that he has directed Wallace MacFar-
lane. as counsel for the Equitable. to