The daily morning journal and courier., 1905-10-18
M'CURDY JEERED AT
 INSURANCE INQUIRY
(Continued from First Page.l

Continued from First Page)
 proffer- a witness, his actuary, whose business it was to know these things, but as for himself he would not dis cuss the question"
 MT. McCurdys demeanor was so in sistent and at times defiant that the spectators bent forward to catch every word and stood on tiptoe.
 When MT. McCurdy would not offer the information himself Mir. Hughes started on another line of inquiry. Later in the day Chairman Armstrong explained that, since the information desired by the committee could be ob- tained by another course, it was agree able to the committee to let McCurdy place himself in the position he did. Had he, however, been directed to an- swer, and knowing the information de- sired, and then refused, MT. Armstrong said, steps would have been taken to indict him for a misdemeanor, which is the offense of a witness refusing to answer questions before legislative committee while the legislature is not in session. If the legislature were in session, refusal to answer would have constituted contempt.
 MT. McCurdy also, during the eff forts made to induce him to answer the questions as to the reduction of diyi- dends, Iaunched forth into protest as to the manner in which the investiga- ton was being conducted. He said the committee was going beyond the scope intended when it was appointed by the legislature, and that the inves- tigation had assumed the proportions of an inquisition. He was asked by Senator Armstrong how he would con- duct the investigation, and told that if he had any better method the commit tee would be glad to know of it. MT. MeCurdy thought that putting wit ness under oath made him feel he was on the rack. He said his answers were published in. a distorted form, appear ing like an attempt to ruin him.
 Again taking up, the questions of the reduction of dividends, MT. Hughes read long list of policy numbers with the amounts of the face of the policy, the premiums paid in and the dividends received by the policyholders. Asked what he had to say to these, Mr. Mo Curdy said, Figures don't lie, but liars can figure" He then hastily explained that he meant that facetiously, and that he would be glad to verify the fig ures. The only explanation fora spe- cific instance of a reduction of divi- . dends MT. McCurdy gave was that he supposed the policyholder had reduc- ed rate policy.
 The legal expenses were recurred to and number of vouchers for the pay ment of various sums were read. It was brought out that William Barnes, ST., of Albany, had appeared before the committees in Albany last winter and had received $1, GOO from the New York Life Insurance company, as we'll as the same amount, from the Mutual Life In- surance company. Later 1t appeared E from a letter to Mr. McCurdy written fby William Barnes, jr., that MT, Barnes, ST., was under an annual re- tainer to- the Mutual Life Insurance
 "A voucher in 1902 for $1o,000 paya- ble to T. H. Bowles, was explained by MT. McCurdy as part payment in set- clement of a suit MT. BoWles, formerly the general agent in Milwaukee, had brought against the company. It was testified to- earlier in this month that MT. Bowles had been dismissed by the company for insubordination. MT. Me- Curdy said to-day that the insubordin- ation consisted in throwing mud" and trying to injure the company He said that when it came to MT. Bowlas' turn to have his business taken over by the company under the new policy of the company to assume all general agencies, Mr Bowles wrote a'letter to the president, which the latter termed "insubordinate." This letter made number of charges, and submitted a number of records and tables. Later MT. BowIes agitated a policyholders' crusade against the company, and MT. McCurdy said the suit was settled to end the agitation, adding that the agi- tation went with Bowles.
 Thomas H. Bowles has not been in business since he severed his connec- tion with the Mutual Life Insurance Co. in Milwaukee. MT. Bowles is vis- 'iting in this city at the present time, and tonight he gave out a statement in which he said:
 "The aspersions cast upon me by the | SpeculatlOnS ana ueuuCLlOfS uraWn out by the testimony offered in the in- surance investigation are false, and I stand ready at the pleasure of the committee to go before that honorable body and give the facts.''
 The entire testimony of the day was a continual thrust and parry between counsel and witness, and when ad- , journment was taken for the day MT. Hughes had not finished with MT. Me- Curdy. The latter will be recalled tomorrow and questioned along the lines of the trust, companies, and sub sidary companies of the Mutual Life, and also as to what moneys were made out of the trust companies
 The fact that James H. Hyde of the Equitable. Life Assurance society had returned to the city, and that MT. Will liam H. Mcintyre, also of the Equita- ble,, would voluntarily return to ap- pear before the committee, was an an- announcement of much moment to-day. It was stated. however, that neither MT. Hyde nor MT. Mcintyre will be called this week.