The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-10-06


 In reply to other questions MT. Thum- mell said he received $25O0 from President Robert Grannis of the Mutual Life, and had paid it personally to J. w. Babcock. chairman of the republican congressional committee in 1904. The contribution, MT. Thummel said, was suggested "by the danger of a democratic house, which would result in tariff and other legisla- ton of such character as would upset business and affect policy holders"
 He concluded that other companies had been asked to contribute but he did not know whether they had done so or not.
 Replying to direct question witness said he had never authorized the pay ment of money of the Mutual Life com pany to any legislator or other person connected with the legislature for the influencing of such legislation.
 Robert H. McCurdy, general manager of the Mutual Life Insurance company, was called. He said his power is delegated to him by the president and vice president. He has direct supervision of agents in this country and abroad. His salary is $30.0O0 a year. Under an old contract he collects renemal premiums on foreign business but beyond this he receives no money
 Explains Foreign Business.
 MT. McCurdy read lengthy statement explaining his connection with the for eign business of the Mutual Life Insur- ance company. When he started the for eign department in 1885 he was allowed five per cent on all premiums from for eign business. In 1888 his commissions on this business amounted to $23,522. and he voluntarily made a reduction in his commission.
 His suggestion was adopted, but de- spite the reduced rate his total commis- sions in 1889 were $42.456, whereupon he requested further reduction, which was agreed to by the company In 1891 his commissions were $5l,626 and again he asked for a reduction In his rate of com mission which was agreed to. The same thing occurred in 1900.
 In 1903 MT. McCurdy gave up his super intendency of the foreign department and accepted the general managership of the Mutual Life Insurance company at a salary of s2O,0O0. This salary WAS in- creased to s3O,OOO in 1904. After ~eading his statement MT. McCurdy presented a full report of the foreign business from 1886, when the witness initiated 1t down to 1903 when he became general man. ager. He was unable to find any record of his income from 1882 to 1886 as a member of c. H. Raymond & Co. Pressed by MT. Hughes for an approximate esti- mate. witness thought 1t was less than $l0O0O.
 Just before the recess MT. McCurdy presented statement showing his profits from the foreign business from 1886 to 1902, while MT. McCurdy was a member of the firm of C. H. Raymond & Co. these amounted to $209123. one-half of which, or $104.56l, he paid to Mir Ray mond under his contract for partnership. From 1893 down to August 31, 1905, MT. McCurdys revenue from commissions was s1, ,059,267. making his total personal reve- nue for the period from 1886 to 1905 of S1,163.S29.
 ThummelI Back on Stand. At the afternoon session of the com mttee w P Thummell resumed the stand at his own request to say that he had met great many legislators during the past year and In no instance had any of them suggested in any way any matter relating to money. He wished to correct his testimony of the morning. He did not wish it understood that he was in charge of Legislation It was in charge of a general solicitor. MT. Shaw now deceased.
 Robert H. McCurdy then resumed his testimony and said that in addition to the one-half profits he received from the foreign business as a member of the firm of c. H. Raymond & Co.,, he received  agent. He could not recall the amount From 1892 to 1898 Mir. McCurdy paid MT Raymond one-half of the renewals of the business written previous to 1892 He was first put on salary of $10,0Ot on July l. 1903, and with that salary re- ceived for the entire year of 1903. $l09. .l75 He estimated his income this year, with salary and renewal commissions on for eign business, at $110.000.
 Got Good Commissions.
 After analysing the figures of the Ray mond firms business for the years be- tween 1888 to 1892 it was brought out that Mir. McCurdy received as his interest in the business, less his share of the ex- pense, tlc amount of -$221.l .l36. For his share of the renewal premiums after he retired from the firm down to 1904 he re- ceived 320,716. making a total from the business of the metropolitan agency of the sum of $541 1852. This is entirely apart from the q, ,163, ,S29 received In commissions from foreign business, a total for Mo- Curdy of $1,7O5.6Sl.
 A statement of the firms business, showing Louis A. Thebeauds share of net profits from his entering the firm in 1895 down to 1904. were for commissions on first year premiums the sum of 1855,