The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1905-10-24
MccuRDY FAMILY INSURED
FOR ENORMOUS AMOUNTS
All the Officials Of the New York Life
Hold Policies Representing
Large Sums
TRAVELLING WAS EXPENSIVE
When Young McCurdy Went on an
inspection Tour His Bills
Were Big.


tion the district attorneys Office in
tends to take in connection with the
forgery allegations made at the legis-
latiye insurance investigation remains
shrouded in mystery but juoging by to-
days revelations some one is likely to
be called on to do some elaborate eX-
planning within the next few days:
This fact was made plain when Assist
ant District Attorney Rand put in an
appearance at the hearing this after
noon accompanied by the noted hand
writing expert, David N. Carvalho. The
matter in which handwriting is known
to be a present issue is the voucher for
1901 which George j. Plunldtt, a tel
phone boy, stated upon oath that he
did not sign. although he admitted that
the signature was very much like his
own handwriting. Plunkitt was closely
questioned after the inquiry yesterday
and chung to his statement so tena
Clously that he made decided impress
sion. Today it was announced that
Plunkitt would not be prosecuted by
the committee, but it was also stated
that the entire matter is UP to District
Attorney Jerome. Hints we're dropped
that Plunkitt is not the subject of the
real investigation along this line. but
is merely witness, preliminary to at
least one criminal prosecution.
MIR. Rand, who has heard much of the
insurance testimony, went to the city
hall again this afternoon. He had
hardly left his Office when Mr.. Carval
no called to see him. Mr.. Carvalho,
when told that Mr.. Rand was at the
city hall, hurried after him.
II is understood that Mr.. CarvalhO
carefully examined the samples of
young Plunkitt's handwriting obtained
when he was on the stand yesterday
and the alleged forged voucher, but
neither Mr. Rand or the expert would
discuss the matter tonight
That policies aggregating enormous
amounts are held by members of the
MCCurdy family and other officers in
the Mutual Life was brought out this
afternoon while Richard A. McCurdy,
its president, was on the stand.
Mr.. McCurdy acknowledged that he
held twenty paid-up policies in the
company of which he is the head,
amounting to $15O,204. His son, Rob-
ert A. McCurdy, who is general mana
ger of the companies, holds policies to-
day in the Mutual Life amounting to
$4,000. He, however, has had several
other policies which have matured. In
all, the policies which he has held and
does hold represented nearly $780, 900.
Next on the list comes Frederick
Cromwell. treasurer of the company,
whose policy holdings amount to $780,
900. Robert A. Grannis, vice president,
has $4,000 in policies.
Walter R. Gillette, another first vice
president, has policies aggregating $21,-
ll6; Isaac f, Lloyd, second vice presi-
dent, $4,000; John A. Fonda, second
vice president, S25 1000.
The biggest premium paid by any of
The officers was that of the senior Nc
Curdy, who, on a policy taken out on
Nov. II. 1895, gave annually $5,245 for
I50,G52, This policy has been paid up
ind so have all the others.
Charles e. Hughes, counsel for the
committee, after the list Of policies had
been read, suddenly turned to the wit
less and asked:
Has the Mutual Life ever contrib
tied, directly or indirectly, to the po.
itioal campaign of any candidate for a
judicial office in this city?"
NC" answered the witness, emphat-
Cally, pounding his fist on q little ta-
Die near him.
Mr. McCurdy admitted, however, that
he had been solicited for contributions
to political parties, but when Mr..
Hughes tried to find out from him who
The persons we're who had approached
him the witness had another customary
loss OF memory.
~ can't recall who they were," he
said, shaking his head,
The witness declared that he had
never been interested in any syndicate
in which the Mutual Life as company
had not participated and shared in the
profits, Following this testimony, he
was temporarily excused, and his son,
Robert II. McCurdy, general manager
OF the Mutual Life. was called to the
stand
The younger McCurdy was questioned
regarding his expenses on trips he
made last year. when in one case 1t
cost the company $1,000 and in anoth-
err S1.376.76.
On one occasion he had private
car and was accompanied by his faith
er. his mother and his wife, but he said
the amount paid by him covered only
his own personal expenses
Mr. Huehes handed him q voucher