The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-04-18
AGENTS ARE FOR ALEXANDER.
CAUCUS or $50 OF THEN, 30 RE-
NAMING OUTSIDE.

falls 10 OHer ANY FroOi lhAt NleN"
ander shared in Underwriting syndl-
Gates. and Alexander'S Denial 10 Re-
anirmed-AneEed Attempt 70 Lure
Him Into Taking Part OF the PFOnts.
The general agents Of the Equitable
Life Assurance Society, who have been
summoned here for conference 70 be held
this morning at the Hotel Savoy, had a
CAUCUS last night to determine their atti-
tude in the fractional strife now going on
in the society, and decided by an over
whelming vote TO indorse President Alex
ander.
There are go Of the agents, who ara
really district managers, here 20 attend
the conference, which will be held at 1890
this morning. The agents are lodged at
the Savoy at the expense Of the society.
About $50 attended the caucus, which was
called in the interests Of the Alexander
faction. The forty who stayed away
seemed TO be favorable to the Alexander
side in the present controversy but some
of them explained that they did not believe
in the utility Of caucus and didn't want
20 be bound by It.
The caucus was held in the ballroom OF
the Hotel NetheTlRnd, across the street
from the Savoy. II lasted nearly three
hours and hot speeches we're made. The
agents were divided into two camps. The
radicals, who were made up largely Of the
New York agents, were in favor Of pre-
senting a resolution to the conference to-
day calling for the immediate resignation
Of James II. Hyde. They said that as
long as Mr., Hyde remained connect ed
with the society it was impossible TO get
the public to take policies. Some Of them
said that as a result Of the scandal their
business had fallen TO as low as per cent.
Of what 1t was year ago.
julius Bohm. who has one Of the largest
agencies in this city. located at COS Broad
way, even went 80 far as IL urge that the
agents take matters into their own hands
and discover IL Mr.. Hyde had done any-'
thing criminal.
Let us submit to an assessment and hire
Joseph II. Choate or some other lawyer
Of high standing TO take the evidence and
bring it before the Grand jury, IL need be.
suggested Mr.. BONN. We cannot stand
this thing any longer, We have been
asked to he charitable but we have been
too charitable. We can stop this thing
only by being able 10 tell people that Mr..
Hyde is out. We might a. well find other
jobs il we cannot give this assurance
Some Of the others seemed to agree with
Mr.. Bohm's views, but in the end the con
ssrvatlvos won, largely because Of the
influence of +. o. Jones Of Pittsburg, who
was managing the Alexander Tarbell
campaign and controlled the caucus. The
! resolution that was finally adopted and by
which all those present agreed TO be bound
| simply affirmed the confidence OF the general
I - fha in President AlaN-
| ander. Il did not even go 80 far, Il is said.
as to indorse his administration, it being
| urged that a personal Endorsement would
| show convincingly enough where those
| engaged in the field work stood.
J Several agents left the caucus in a hun
I and refused to be bound by what had been
done. They refused to talk about their
I troubles, except to say that the action
didn't suit them. They let il be inferred
| that it was too mild.
WHITE FLOWER THE ALEXANDER BADoE
As fast as the agents arrived yesterday
they were made for by emissaries Of the
Alexander and Hyde forces, and button
holinR and lobbying went on all day long
The Alexander faction was represented
! by Gage E. Tarbell, who spent all day and
all the etening handshaldng, and had Others
10 assist him. Mr.. Hyde was represented
! by H. II. Knowles, supervisor Of agencies.
The managers Of Mr.. AleTander's side
ordered dozens Of white carnations sent 70
| the hotel, and asked every agent who stood
| for their side 10 put one In his buttonhole.
! When the carnations gave out white roses
! were sent for, and few had 10 go decorated
with punches Of sweet peas, all white.
! There we're no violets seen. By evening
| few buttonholes were without the white
/ flowers, which the Alexander men said
| stood for purity. There are five or six
women among the general agents and they
all wore white flowers. So did all the
wives and women folks Of the agents.
HYDE TO BIB AT To-DAI's MEETING.
The meeting to-day, II Is expected, will
| be warm. Mr.. Alexander Is TO preside,
as Il was he who called the agents together.
| In addition TO Mr.. Alexander the only other
! officers present will be Mr.. Tarbell and Mr..
| HYDE. The announcement that Mr.. HYDE
would surely be there was made last night
| and caused some surprise. According TO
one story, Mr.. Hyde wasn't asked at first,
but insisted upon being present. IL was
| said last night thai a. was his intention
TO get UP before all tie agents and tell
| them his whole story. Some Of the Hyde
men said that the programme arranged
| by the Alexander side might get rude
| Jolt after Mr.. Hyde made his speech.
Mr.. Hyde did not appear in the button
holing game personally yesterday, but
Mr.. Alexander spent some time in the
afternoon assisting Mr.. Tarbell Mr..
Tsrbell hired a room upstairs and took
agents one by one with him there for
private talks. There was a disposition
among some OF the agents, when they
first arrived, 10 postpone action until the
Frick committee had made It's report. Most
Of those who favored this subsequently,
agreed 10 vote for the Alexander resolution,
so that the Alexander men semed very
happy last night. Mr. Tarbel refused 70
say much about what was happening.
The agents have been summoned
he said, lowing 10 the unusual situation.
There VIII be free discussion, and they
viii decide what action must be taken 20
increase the business Of the society. That
Is what they were called together for
we are hsre 10 ham the truth, said one
Of the largest agents. Some Of us want
A. A.. -