The Minneapolis journal., 1905-11-09
WANT GOVERNOR "
TO TAKE PROXIES
ORGANIZATION of Northwestern Pol
icyholders Not Satisfied
with Lawson.
Insurance Commissioner O'Brien
Goes East at Governors
Special Request.

Northwestern policyholders in the
New York Life and the Mutual Life
are being formed into an organization
for the purpose Of having their. voice
in the companies affairs and in the
proposed organization.
The movement started last week with
an informal meeting Of travelling sales
men at Watertown, S. D: At this meet
ing it was decided that instead of send
ing proxies to Lawson, northwestern
policyholders ought to have a repre-
sentative of their own, and Governor
johnson Gf Mnnes9ta was agreea +5s
proxies. W. F. Enright of St. Paul,
who was chairman of the meeting, re-
turned home and took the matter up
with Governor Johnson. He had cir
cular printed for distri button, contain
ing a proxy to be signed, and an appeal,
which reads as follows: .,
ercise that right. The time may never
be 50 opportune. Do it now.,
"Fill in the blank lines on the proxy
blank and send by first mail to Gov
ernor John A. johnson, state capitol,
st: Paul. as the representative Of the
ance companies, especially OF the Mu-
tual Life Insurance company and the
New York Life Insurance company.
eff the policyholders move, and move
quickly, they can save, for themselves
not only the value Of their policies,
of from $75,OOo,OOO to $15O,OOO,O00 that
rightfully belongs to them.
"You can do your small share to-
wards deposing from office the present
officers of these companies. You can
do your small share to elect to the
| Offices men who will not use the vast
funds for stock gambling and to cor
rupt the ballot box and lawmakers OF
the country, and you can do your share
toward lowering the cost of your pre-
miums from 25 to 33 1-3 per cent.
"The governor does not solicit your
proxy, but he has consented to act as
your representative if you so desire
or as the representative of any policy
holder in the northwest
O'Brien Goes to Investigate.
These circulars have not been issued
and may not be for several days. Gov
ernor johnson said he would prefer not
| to act on such proposition too hastily
He has received many letters with in
quiries and advice Of various kinds
and in order to understand the situa
tion better, he has asked Insurance
Commissioner T. D. O'Brien to 90 te
New York and make personal inves
tigation.
Mr.. O'Brien leaves tonight for New
York. He will get in touch with the
work being done by the actuaries fo]
Minnesota and other western states
and also with the work Of the legisla
tive investigating committee.
''I am willing to do anything thai
may be for the best interests of tht
policyholders, said the governor thi
morning, "but I do not want to &C
hastily. We are participating now il
an examination of the New York Life
and I do not want to do anything tha
will embarrass that work.
Meanwhile the organization starte,
at Watertown is being extended. L
is being spread by the travelling men
but is not confined to them, and it i
intended to hold a number of meeting
in different localities in Minnesota an
the Dakotas, to organize and make tn
northwe estern policyholders big, unite
influence in the reorganization.
The head of the temporary organiza
, tion, w. L. Enright Of ST. Paul, is
well-known travelling salesman and
policyholder in the New York Life.