Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-18
AGENTS MAKE FORMAL PROTEST
Action of Equitable Life Representa-
tiVeS in New York

NEW YORK. April 1S.-More than two
hundred general agents of the Equitable
Life Assurance Society representing nearly
every section of the country, met here to-
day to make formal protest against the
strife within the organization which has
engaged public attention for several
months.
While resolutions expressing confidence
in President Alexander were adopted at a
caucus attended by about $50 of the agents.
it was said today that the alignment there
by forecasted might not develop any Sc
rlouS features. The chief desire of the
agents, it was said today, was to bring
about an immediate cessation of the pres
ent trouble.
When Vice President Hyde arrived at the
Hotel Savoy he was greeted by five or six
agents, who accompanied him to the ell
evator, which took him to the room where
the meeting was to be held. President
Alexander came in five minutes later He
was surrounded by more than a score of
agents. When the session began everybody
excepting the properly identified agents
were excluded from the floor
MI. Hyde's Address.
In the course of his address to the agents
Mr.. Hyde referred to the sale by Second
Vice President Tarbel of the latter's in
terest in his renewal account, and remark
ed that he hoped mo agent would be called
upon to sell his Ghe agents. renewal in
terest - Mr. Tarbell followed Mr.. Hyde and
explained his sale of his renewal account
by saying that he contemplated the action
six months ago.
The records of the society would show
an estimate of the value of his renewal in
terests at that time, he said. He declared
that the society made several thousand
dollars on the transaction, and got the best
of the settlement Then, turning and fac
ing Mr. Hyde, Mr.. TarbeI said: Il may
have sold my renewal interests but | will
never be called upon to put any money back
into the treasury of the society,"
This declaration was greeted with cheers
Alexander's Address.
President Alexander, in his brief address
to the meeting, said he did not consider
the occasion a proper one TO make any
mention of the subject of Investigations by
any committee, or to talk about personal
matters. 1t was improper, he said. that
any personal controversy should have any
place in the controversy.
Il fully realize he said, that YOU GEN
tlemen are responsible for bringing to
the Equitable its enormous surplus of
eighty millions of dollars and it's assets
of more than four hundred millions
want you to know that your interests
will be safeguarded l would shed nv
hearts blood to protect you and your
interests; We realize that yours is a
time, but hope that it may be made easier
for you very soon"
Soon after the meeting opened Mr.. Alex
ander made an address and was followed
by Mr.. Hyde and Mr.. TarbeIl The talk of
all was confined strictly to the admonition
that all concerned should work from now
on for the best interests of the society.
When Nj. Hyde arose to speak he was
hissed by a general agent of the society,
who was said TO be the leader in last
nights movement to engage Mr.. Joseph H.
Choate. now American ambassador to Great
Britain to conduct an investigation on be-
half of the agents into the society's affairs.
Mr.. Hyde remarked that any such re-
ception really was d compliment and pro-
ceeded with what he had to say, undis-
turbed by the incident. He said if he had
done anything wrong, financially or 9TH
erwise, or had participated in any wrong
| doing by others, he should be kicked
out" and if any other officers of the So
ciety had been guilty of wrongdoing they
should be thrown into the street"
Mr.. Hyde, Vice President Gage e. Tar
bell and President Alexander left soon
after Mr.. Hyde finished an address to the
agents. AS he was leaving the hotel Mr..
Hyde said he would not return again to
any conference of the agents unless he
was sent for. in which event he would
be very glad TO respond.