Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-09-22
REINSURANCE
INVESTIGATION
President John A. Mccall, Of the New
York Life, Takes His Turn on
Witness Stand.
DEMOCRATS WANTED THE CASH
Party Managers Made Life a Burden
In Chasing Him for Contri-
buttons.

New York. Sept. 21.-Political con-
tributions of the New York Life In
surance company and the connection
of Andrew A. Hamilton, of Albany,
with the alleged political activity of
the company were the points around
which the hearing before the legisla-
tive insurance investigation commit.
tee turned today.
President John A. Mccall, of the
New York Life Insurance company
was the chief witness and for several
hours he was subjected to a fire of
questions by Chas E. Hughes, coun-
sci for the committee regarding the
money paid for political purposes.
The climax was reached when Mr..
Mccall declared that the soliciting Of
funds for campaign purposes was not
confined to the Republican party in
the campaign of 1904, and announced:
"My life was made weary by the
Democratic candidates chasing me for
money in that campaign. Some of
the very men who today are being in.
| terviewed in the papers and denounc-
ing men who contribute to campaigns
were crossing my path every step I
| took looking for money. One, the can
didate himself, Parker, if he would
show up his books when he was chair
man of the Democratic state commit
tee, 1t would give you a fit. He new
er rejected a dollar in the world. He
would take every dollar that was paid
to him."
| Judge Parker was chairman of the
| Democratic state executive committee
in 1885.
| Mr.. McCall's statement was greeted
with wild cheering, which was con-
tinued until a threat was made to
clear the room If the crowd did not
restrain itself.
With great care the account Of An
drew A. Hamilton with the company
was analyzed by MI. Hughes, who ask
ed Mr. Mccall about every item and
made it clear that search was being
made for political contributions. Mr..
Mccall stoutly maintained that he had
given Mr.. Hamilton no money to be
used in influencing legislation at Al
bany, but the admission was obtained
from Mccall that Hamilton's expen-
ses at Albany were paid from the
company's funds and that his accounts
were not submitted to audit.
It was shown that $235, 900 had been
paid to Hamilton with only verbal
accounting to President Mccall and
that at present Hamilton owed the
company about 100000. but Mr.. Nc
Call said he felt sure that Hamilton,
who is now in Europe, will repay the
sum upon the company's demand.
District Attorney Jerome was an in.
tersted spectator of the proceedings
for the first time He said he expect
ed to make public statement on the
subject of the investigation in few
days.
Willis G. Nash. cashier Of the New
York State National bank of Albany,
was the first witness. He produced
transcript of the account Of A. A.
Hamilton from January 1, 1900, to
date. This consisted Of "a ledger
sheets. The account gave no partic-
! ulars beyond the amounts. Mr.. Nash
3 said only MIR. Hamilton's daughter
e had power to draw checks on that ac-
count.
a John Mccall was then called. After
DelHS SWoIu anu Si'IH6 lHc PiCiAiu1u
! ary information as to his business and
!. residence. he said he had been COM
ptroller of the Equitable before be-
, coming president Of the New York
Life Insurance company, and previous
;. ly had been superintendent of insur.
ance at Albany.
), He said that It was true that he had
h drawn checks on the New York Life
(; Insurance company without the an
= proval Of the finance committee. He
said .ilis was almost a daily occur1
I: ence.
? Mr.. Mccall said he himself is the
!, sole Judge of what checks should be
: drawn without authorization.
:: AGsc Uollis, Rco4h L. aclxisasx o.