The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-09-19
PARKER INTERVIEWED
Denounces Insurance Co. IS Contri-
button to RepublicanCampaign.
WAS UNLAWFUL AND CORRUPT

Investigation Would Show Other
Corporations Contributed to Buy
Protection From Dominant Party.
Esopus, n. Y, Sept. 1S.-Former
Chief Judge Alton b. Parker, last year
the Democratic candidate for president
of the United States, referred to the
charges made by him in the presiden-
tial campaign last fall. that corpora
ton funds were being used IN aid OF
the Republican campaign. To cor
respondent who called at Rosemount'
Judge Parker's home, and asked him
II he had anything to say relative TO
the statement made by Vice President
George w. Perkins. of the New YORK
Life Insurance company. before the
legislative committee investigating the
insurance business 10 the effect that
President John A. Mccall, OF that COM
pany. had caused contribution OF
about $50 900 to be made last year to
the Republican national campaign FUND.-
Judge Parker said: Eyes, | believe |
ought TO say. now that there is no p0-
liucal excitement to distract the public
attention. that the president of the New
York Life was not the only such con-
tributor. The officers OF other great
life insurance companies, such as the
Equitable and the Mutual also CON
tributed from the policy holders funds
for campaign purposes last year.
What has been proved In the case
of the New YorR Life will undoubtedly
he proved in the other cases. The facts
exist. and honest and able counsel
backed by an honest committee. Will
undoubtedly bring them out for the
public good.
Were there an investigation OF rail-
road. manufacturing and other corpo-
rations. II would be found that these
life insurance officers were not the oniy
corporation officers who put their hands
into the treasury and took out none 3
belonging to widows and orphans to
help secure a partisan triumph.
THAT their acts were unlawful and
their purposes corrupt goes without
saving. They intended to have the
money used, as il was. In corrupung
the electorate. MI. Perkins makes the
point that Mr.. John A. Mccall. the
president Of the New York Life, Is
Democrat Apparently he would have
the public assume that when Mr.. Nc
Call unlawfuly contributed these funds
the company's share probably as
member OF t he underwriting syndicate
it was evidence Of political virtue
rather than misconduct
The truth about il is, and say 1t
without feeling. but emphatically, that
men like Mccall have no political con-
yictions that stand in the way OF their
personal advantage. Their one inquiry
is. will the party organization In its
hour of triumph remember our gener-
osity and respond to our demands? Or
course. the organization does remem-
Der. for it expects a similar contribu-
ton next time. And the expectation is
not I'm vain. Such contributions had
been made before in national. state and
municipal elections.
THE officers responsible for these
raids upon the treasures OF corpora
tons have received their reward in
unfettered management Of life insur-
ance corporations; in unembarrassed
raids upon the public through trusts
condemned by both common and stat
ute law: in refusal to punish criminal!y
the officers of railroad and other cor
poratlons violating the laws; and In
statutory permission to manufacturing
corporations to levy tribute on the
people.
There can be no hope Of checking
the unlawful aggressiOns OF officers OF
great corporations so long as they may
form a quasi partnership with the or
ganization OF the dominant political
party. For in the hour when the ad-
ministrative official seeks to punish the
offenders he is reminded by the head
Of the organization Of the magnitude
OF the contributions Of the corporation.
There is, however, something worse. II
possible. thar the escape Of such Of
tenders from justice. 1t is the gradual
decentralization of voters and the dull
ing of the public conscience caused by
the efforts to make these vast sums OF
money procure the ballots they were
intended to procure. corruptly and 9TH
erwise."