Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-11-22
Tells Of Many $4,000
Campaign Contributions.
Nichols Also Gives Interesting 1eS'
tirnony at Insurance Hearing.

New York, Nov. 21.-The identity of
Senator Depcw's "cantankerous friend
nom up the river" was disclosed i'll the
session of the Legislative insurance in
vtsl:sation committee by the testimony
al John y. Nichols, a lawyer, under re-
tainrr By the Equitable Life Insurance
60 Mr.. Nichols had written Senator
b,pew 4 letter referring to an indiEid-
tEil in the above terms, and this let
ter was read, Friday. when Senator De-
pew was on the witness stand. The SEN
at"r was unable to recall who was
meant by the cantankerous friend, nut
to-day, Mr.. Nichols disclosed a. series
81 Payments to W. 5. Manning OF Al
bauy. a former actuary, who had been
connected with the investigation of in
surnncc COMPANIES in 1877. Mr.. Hughes
injured as to a report that Manning
hpI been in possession of information
thar WAS suppressed during this inveS-
tigatiCn and that according to report
would have been detrimental to the
Equitable.
Mr.. Nichols could not recall the sup
preston Of the information. but he de-
tailed the payment of sums of money
over a considerable period to Manning
AZ an iu1ucement to give up his bus
imcfs as actuary, i'm which capacity,
according to the witness, he was a
menace to the Equitable Life. Mr..
Nichols said he was paid as retainer
from the Mutual and the New York
Life for the same duties, that of TAX
ing care of Manning" as Mr.. Hughes
characterized 1t. The payments by the
Equitable tor Manning were made to
Mr.. Nichols on vouchers bearing false
names which Mr. Nichols said was
dom. to protect Manning. Aside from
the testimony of Nichols the interest
i'iir t. Stimony of the day was that of
United States Senator Thomas c. Platt.
who lid not hesitate to tell of the con-
tributionS IF the insurance companies
To state campaigns. The Equitable, the
Mutual Life and the New York Life
were the only insurance companies that
made such contributions.
The Equitable Life. the senator said,
contributed regularly $4,000 a year to
tn" state campaigns, the Mutual Life
tn. sam" sum frequently. and the New
York Life Il sum not as large and occa-
siuualiy. These moneys We're always de
lv"rrl in cash to Senator Platt's office
to the state committee The senator
sail he supposed he was expected t.
influence the Legislature when any leg
tsllti"n appeared that was hostile to
The insurance companies. but he has
never beer asked to do so nor had he
dom, go. Senator Plat said he be-
Ii .Ved lac had asked President r. A.
MrCurdy Of the Mutual Life for a con
tribution where the needs were very
great. He knew nothing about con-
tributinIs to the national campaign.
Gag T.. Tarbell. second vice preSi-
d"nt "f the Equitable. was also 4 wit
ness. today. His testimony, Friday, was
interrupted by the adjournment and
today. he continued his explanation OF
the agency system. of which he haC
charge. and the manner of arriving a
The commissions He detailed a histor!
Of the agencies of insurance companie:
ANA his own efforts to reduce the COS
of getting business.
During the testimony, Mr.. Tarbel
made very extensive explanation o
III" good that insurance conpanie:
hay.. done and the difficulties unde
which tie work is carried on. One par
q; his testimony caused much amuse
mont to the committee as well as th'
Spectators when he described a flgh
with the New York Life over the TAX
ing IF agents. In this statement. Mr.
Tarhrll told how he won over a genera