The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-10-19


 extravagance in furnishing your ofice. You have now an opportunity to make as full an explanation as you wish." said MT. Hughes.
 MT. McCurdy declared that there were many erroneous statements made in the press about the Mutual. He said the furniture and fittings of his ofice was in every respect proper and fitting. The company published book with photographs of nearly every room and office in the building except the wine cellar; they could not photo- graph that because 1t did not exist. The palicyholders and those seeking insur- ance expressed great satisfaction, the witness said, that the home ofilce should be furnished In a proper and fitting manner. He had no private elevator in his once.
 MT. Hughes asked why applicants for loans on policies to the home ofiice were referred to c. H. Raymond q Co.. Mir. McCurdy said thay were not. but were referred to the policy department"
 If you wish to imply. does any one receive any commission on loans on policies. would answer distinctly mo-" he said.
 Policy Holders Say Different.
 "2ut policy holders write me and say they are referred. on asking loans, to N. f1. fkayTlO M Sos Sdiu rus ACss
 T doubt it. There may be isolated cases" replied Mir. McCurdy.
 Taking up the matter of the real estate holdings of the company, the witness was asked where he made his winter residence. He said 1t was the Grosvenor apartments in Fifth Avenue. This house Is owned by the Mutual Life.
 A statement of the return on the in- kl~ st~x,n n..< 4 for and Mir. Hughes was about to leave the subject when Mir. Beck. counsel for the Mutual Life Insurance Company, protested, and said 1t was not fair to MT. McCurdy to lead up to his occu- pancy of an apartment in the build ing and then not give him opportunity to testify as to whether he paid fair rental for 1t.
 'without intending to do so. no doubt, Mir. Hughes,'' said Mir. Beck. you frequently lead up to a point that gives the newspapers opportunity to put in an ugly imputation against MT. McCurdy and then you drop the inquiry, and that I do not think is entirely fair to MT. McCurdy. especially when, if all the facts were brought out. 1t would be impossible for any one to cast refiec- ton upon him."
 MT. Hughes replied:
 
 an abundant opportunity to tell every thing he knows about this business and If he does not realize this fact. I do not know what I can ask him further"
 At this point Chairman Armstrong, of the committee. intervened. saying:
 ArmsfronE Answers Beck.
 Tt has occurred to this committee that both counsel and the witness are entitled to make the fullest and the an that fhAra may be no divergence from a. fair and full examination of the subjects which we are here to examine. This witness justifies his attitude by his own decla- ration of his purpose in stating how much he would answer of the inquiries made, because of the belief that this committee was an induisition and was conducting an unfair inquiry and your remarks, MT. Beck. are to the same effect
 This committee Is here to make q fair and honest inquiry into the facts concerning the business and affairs of life insurance companies, and the wit ness and counsel that appear before the committee will have just the position before the committee that they them selves create for themselves.
 T want you to understand that this committee is here to build up and not to tear down. and in order to do that 1t is necessary to build up firm foun- dalton; 1t Is the purpose of the com mittee to make life insurance safer and the only way we can do that is by cordial assistance of you gentlemen. who know much more than we can ever hope to learn about 1t. and 1t Is from you that we will have to obtain the fullest knowledge. If you have any suggestion to make. make 1t to MT Huges privately. If at any time you do not think he is treating you fairly, the committee will protect you or anyoone under your charge"