Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1905-10-13
Tells OF Bic GIFTS
TO Campaign FUNDS
MUTUAL LIFE OFFICIAL SAYS
REPUBLICAN PARTY WAS
RECIPIENT OF CASH.
ENORMOUS SUM PAID
FOR CLERKS LUNCHES
Last Year Nearly $4,000 Was Ex-
pended in This Manner = Vice
President Gillette Believes Polit-


New York, Oct. 11.-Walter R. Gil
lette, vice president of the Mutual Life
Insurance company, testified before
the insurance investigating committee
Tuesday that the Mutual Life Insur-
ance company contributed $4,000 to
the republican national committees
campaign fund in the last election in
1904. He also stated that the Mutual
Life Insurance company paid $72,S6l
last year for luncheons for its clerical
force in this city. This was at the rate
of almost $3.50 day. Vice President
Gillette said that the Mutual Life In
surance company contributed $4,000
to the republican national committee
in 1900 and $4,000 in 1896.
An item of $4,000 for committee
fees, Mr.. Gillette said, was for compen-
sation of committee members, who are
not officers of the company. Mr..
Hughes pointed out that in 1901 $243,-
600 was paid for legal expenses, while
in 1903 it was $S47, 900.
Gifts Justified, He Says.
He justified these contributions on
the same ground as did President John
A. Mccall, of the New York Life In
surance company, in the contributions
of that company, saying that the st.
Louis platform of the democratic party
and the free silver issue were menace
to the policyholders. DR.. Gillette said
he authorized these expenditures after
consultation with president, vice pres
idents and some members of the board
of trustees of the Mutual Life Insur-
ance company. The campaign contri-
buttons, DR.. Gillette said, came from
the fund controlled by the committee
on expenditures.
Sir John Leng, member of the Brit
ish parliament, was guest of the in
surance investigating committee at its
session Tuesday.
Three Installments Paid.
The first witness was Robert Oil
plant, chairman of the expenditure
committee of the Mutual Life Insur
ance company. From him 1t was ex
pected to learn what became of $4,000
charged to legal expenditures
This sum was spent in three install
ments of $4,000 each, the last install
ment being paid the day after the
presidential election last year. Mr.
Oliphant said there is no limit to the
money the committee on expenditures
may authorize to be paid out. The
Mutual Life Insurance company main
tains confidential fund for legal ex
penditure. The details of payment:
for this fund were not brought before
the board of trustees, but merely the
total amounts. Bills came to this com
mittee from the law department, after
being duly authorized by the executive
officers. The moneys were usually
drawn III cash. An entry Of $25, 00(
on the books January 30, 1904, witnes!
said, was paid to him in cash. He was
assured this was needed for the policy
holders benefit and that all was reg
MAR. DR.. Gillette, one of the vice pres
idents, told him it was for law pur
poses.
Granniss Refuses to Talk.
Witness did not feel responsible tt
the company. an executive officer hav
ing told him 1t was perfectly legal. HI
took no vouchers for this payment
nor for others in August and Decem
Der, 1904.
Vice President Granniss, another
witness, said he had instructed Mr.
Thummel from time to time relative
to attention to legislation in variou!
states, but he could not recall the par
tieulars.
"Is your mind blank on this sub
ject?" Mr.. Hughes asked.
mot entirely
well, will you please state anything
there might be in it?"
You mean in my mind?" asked tn
witness,
EYES,"
i well, out OF respect to you won
speak It," holly retorted the witness
Mr.. Grannis described the legislativ
work similar to the testimony Of AT
torney Thummel last week, and sal
the expenditures for this work did no
always come under his direction.
Richard A. McCurdy, president c
the Mutual Life Insurance compan,
was witRsss before the committe
in its afternoon session.
Host Would Work Reform.
MADISON, Wis. Oct. 11.-State II
sarance Commissioner Host said Tues
day that at least is states, chiefly i
the middle west, will hereafter deman
annual gain and loss exhibits of lif
Insurance companies. According t
Commissioner Host, the companies las
year withheld $14,000.o00 that shoul
have gone to policyholders.