Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1905-10-21
MCURDY IS REBUKED
Hughes and Beck Clash In
Insurance Graft Hunt.
RAND, PRESENT, NAY CAUSE ARREST
Mutual Life Kept Open House al
Albany For Legislative Commit
tee Men-Missouri Requests
Delay.

Life Insurance company, who had al
ready been before the insurance COM
mittee twice was again the main wit
ness.
Unfinished inquiry by Chief Inquis-
itor Hughes about the Hotel Grosvenor,
at Tenth street and Fifth avenue, own
ed by the Mutual Life and once large
ly patronized by President McCurdy
and his wife and by his son-in-law,
Louis A. Thebaud, and Vice President
Granniss, brought forth passage at
arms between General Solicitor Beck
of the Mutual and Chief Inquisitor
Hughes, in which Chairman Armstrong
took hand, and even McCurdy him
self finally participated, siding with
the committee against the aspersions
of his own counsel. Beck was afraid
that Mr.. Hughes inquiry might give
the public the idea that the McOurdys
had been utilizing their influence i'll the
Mutual Life to get reduced rentals in
town, and he imputed to Mr.. Hughes
spirit of unfairness.
Then Mr.. Hughes made a ringing
speech, in which he said that every wit
ness who treated the committee cor
daily would be treated in turn with
the utmost respect, but that those who
were evasive would be treated with
the contempt which their conduct mer-
tied, which sentiment was so loudly
applauded by the large audience that
Chairman Armstrong had to warn the
auditors that any repetition of such
demonstration would result in their ex-
clusion hereafter.
A point of incidental interest to those
closely following the investigation was
the news from Missouri that the speak
er of the house of representatives for
that state had requested delay in the
proposed revoking of the New York
Life Insurance company's insurance In
order that policy holders might take
concerted action.
Senator w. w. Armstrong, chairman
of the committee, scathingly rebuked
r. A. McCurdy and his counsel for in
timating that the inquiry was being
conducted in an inquisitorial and I'M
fair manner. This was after Mr.. Beck
had practically accused Mr.. Hughes Of
leaving the witness in an unfair posi-
tion by quickly changing from one line
of questioning to another. While Mr..
Beck was speaking he referred to Mr..
McCurdy as man of ''unblemished
reputation" This was signal for
boots and cat calls and cries of "Now
"Nor' from the gallery.
r n toll
tor for l.. W. Lawrence & Co., was
called A voucher acknowledging the
receipt of $901 15 s'for legal expenses
TO February, 1905" which was signed
by the name of George f. Plunkitt"
and Endorsed for payment by A, G.
Fields was shown to the witness, and
he was asked if the signature was his.
He said 1T was not his. At the request
of Mr. Hughes he then wrote his name
for purposes of comparison and both
signatures were offered in evidence.
Mr.. Hughes called the attention of the
committee to the similarity of the two
signatures. Plunkitt said that he had
never had 1901. Is for any purpose.
At the close of Plunkitt's testimony
the sergeant at arms of the legislative
committee was directed to communi-
cate with the district attorneys office
Shortly afterward Assistant District
Attorney Rand appeared, conferred
with Chairman Armstrong and left the
room.
Charles A. Norris, employed in the
supply department of the Mutual Life
Insurance company, said he sometimes
signed vouchers with Fields name, but
none for legal services. Witness did
not know Plunkitt, never saw his sig
nature and never saw the voucher
services. Mr.. Norris was questioned
as TO the relations of the Lawrence
firm and the Globe Printing company
with the Mutual Life Insurance com
pany. Little was brought out along
this line of inquiry.
Edgar w. Rogers, president of the
Globe Printing company, was called.
He was represented by John b. Stanch-
field as counsel. who stated to the COM
mittee the position of his client, saying
that Rogers is a citizen Of New Jersey
and that he reserved the right to con-
test the jurisdiction Of the committee
sver his person and its right to ques-
ton him. He was willing to facilitate
the inquiry as to his dealings with the
Mutual Life Insurance company, but
did not think 1t relevant to question
him about his private affairs.
Rogers testified that his position was
nominal, and the business of the Globe
Printing company was carried on by
l.. w. Lawrence & Co., for whom he
is also clerk. He knew Plunkitt, and
his judgment was that the signature to
the voucher was Plunkitt's. He never
knew of Plunkitt receiving money or
rendering service to the Mutual Life
William NJ Carpenter, clerk in the
supply department of the Mutual Life,
was called. He said he saw Mr..
Fields last on Oct in Kingston, N
Y, Fields told Carpenter he was go
Ing to southern California as soon as