New-York tribune., 1905-04-20
HYDE IS ASKED TO RESIGN
RIVALS TALK TO AGENTS.
Threats to Drive ont Alexander
and TarbeH Are Made.

AILeF TOUR hours or violent discussion the ger
eral agents Of the Equitable Life Assurance
Society, at their meeting at the Hotel savoy
yesterday. passed a resolution authorizing
communication to James Hazen Hyde. asking
him to resign from the society. that harmony
might be restored. The vote was 100 20 IA in
favor OF the resolution. A committee was ap-
pointed TO convey the communication 10 Mr..
Hyde. and it informed his office that it would go
to see him.
Mr.. Hyde. with his lawyers Samuel Inter
myer. Winslow S. Pierce and W. C. GulIiver
waited until $50 p. m. Then Mr. Hyde went
home. Before he left the Office he said ne didn't
intend to resign right away because the agents
asked him.
Il have not seen the committee" said he. IT
have not seen the resolution I viii say that &c
is impertinent. extraordinary. insulting and nost
prepOsterous. have no intention Of resigning.~
Mr.. Hyde later made an appointment with
the committee for this morning at O'Clock
a HOUsECLEANING PREDICTED.
Instead Of Mr.. Hyda's resignation il was pre-
dicted last night by his friends that within
thirty days there viii be designations from the
leaders OF the other party Mr.. Alexander and
MIR. TarbeH will be forced 10 sever their con-
nectons with the Equitable" said one OF them.
"and with them will go Mr. Woods. Mr.. Tar
bells pet agent. Not one of the men who have
declared themselves against Mr.. Hyde in this
fight will be retained when the general house
cleaning comes. The Hyde party is glad the
agents urged by Mr.. Alexander and Mr. TarbeII
held this convention for by its proceedings the
Hyde leaders are able TO pick out Enthusiastically
their enemies"
The resolution empowering the communication
to Mr.. Hyde was about the only important bust
ness transacted by the agents. The bitterest
discussion. in which were many personalities.
grew out OF this action, toward which all the
proceedings OF the meetings on Tuesday pointed.
1t was preceded by a resolution from one of the
Western hrebrands demanding in unceusOred
phrases Mr.. Hyde's resignation. attributing TO
his conduct personally and as an Equitable off,
cial the present trouble in the society. John
C. Eisee. OF Newark jumped TO his feet, de-
nouncing this attack on Mr. Hyde on accusa-
tions which he declared were unfounded and
had never been substantiated by the slightest
bit OF fact.
Other Westerners and many OF Mr. TarbelPs
agents decried this defence OF the vice-president.
declaring that until he got out Of the society," no
matter how much harmony was fixed up osten-
sibly. there would be getting the EquitabIs
back to its old place in public opinion, as people
would always be shy OF the society with Hyde's
name attached to It.
Again Mr. Eisele made q. vigorous speech, de-
claring that Mr. Hyde was practically under
investigation by Superintendent Hendricks OF
/ the State Insurance Department, and the COM
mittee OF directors headed by Henry G. Frick.
To force him out at this juncture would be IN
Just. he said.
S. H. Reck, Of Rockford. III. the only other
man who spoke for Mr.. Hyde. declared that
there was much doubt as to what really had
caused the trouble in the society. Mr.. Alex
ander was just as much concerned IN the fight
as was Mr.. Hyde. he said. and apparently wasn't
showing any disposition to drop il.
SUGGESTS ALExANDER's RESIGNATION
IF the agents are going to ask for resigna-
tions" he shouted. why don't they ask for all
at once? Why single out Hyde? Why not ask
for AIexander's and TaIbeITs as well. to clean
out all who are IN the hght?"
The vigorous opposition by these two men and
the quiet work of some Of the more conservative
agents prevailed, and the resolution originally
presented was amended to empower a commit
tee to present a Communication to Mr.. HYDE
asking him to take all measures to promote har-
Irony in the society, and. if it became necessary
10 retire from his office. The committee ap-
pointed TO present this document was made up
OF Charles Wake, of this city: Frank L. Levy.
OF New Orleans: Charles J. Edwards, OF Brook
lyn: Joseph Bowes. of Baltimore. and W. J.
ROddey Of South Carolina.
Mr.. EiseIe was so disguised with the action
taken by the agents that he left the meeting
before the days session had been completed.
I'm one of the men who voted against the
resolution he said. "and I'm proud OF it. Most
Of these people seem TO be under the thumbs OF
Alexander and TarbeH-"
AGENTS HEAR ALEXANDER.
President Alexander and Gage E. TarbeH were
asked by the agents TO speak at the meeting
yesterday morning This. it was explained, was
purely formal Young Jack" Wilson, brother
of George T. Wilson third vice-presdent. who
is doing his best to promote good feeling in the
EQUITABLE instead OF the factionalism which is
rampant declared that it was very significant
Mr. Alexander and Mr.. TarbeU should be so near
the meeting that it took the committee only Eve
minutes to find them and escort them to the
meeting rooms.
The applause which greets Mr.. Alexander and
Mr. Tarbeu whenever they appear in an agents
meeting sounded cut literally Mr. Powell.
chairman OF the meeting thanked them for the
hospitality the agents had received. Mr.. Alex
ander declared that he could not express the
great affection and esteem he felt for the agents.
Il have every confidence in you" he told
them I thank YOU for the expressions OF your
affection for me. and I thank YOU for your
hearty support Of my actions in regard to
mutualizing the society. 1 appreciate this more
than can say. You may be sure that shall
ever remain true and loyal TO the poHcyholders
whom YOU represent 1 pledge 10 yOu my Ut
most endeavor in guarding their interests"
GAGE f. TARBELL SPEAKS.
Mr. Tarbeu told how for twenty-five years he
had labored for the Equitable. for twelve OF
which he had been in most pleasant relations
with the agents and managers. He would con
tinue those pleasant relations. he said, and
,ro,,1J tr,- his hest 10 make pleasauf the 0t OF