New-York tribune., 1905-12-28
MCALL TELLS LITTLE.
Did Not Think Himself Competent
to Examine Hamilton.

10 fLlTUfl11IS II UflttIOn.
The insurance investigation opened yesterday
with Henry D Appleton. of the State Insurance
Department, on the stand but he soon made
way for John c. Mccall. of the New-York Life
with the statement from Judge Hamilton
Mr. Mccall said that he considered Judge"
Hamilton very Ill He produced letter from
Dr. Riviere. who said that Mr. Hamilton should
remain under treatment for at least two months
more The doctor said Hamilton had nervous
trouble and opposed his sailing for this
country.
Mr.. Mccall said in reply to questions that he
was with Mr. Hamilton from Saturday ar-
ternoon until the following Friday: he asked for
Eamilton's checkbook and Hamilton refused to
give Il up; he asked Hamilton TO corac back
the Judge" said that he would like nothing
better and AIr. Mccall accordingly postponed his
return for a few days. but Mr. Hamilton did not
come. Nj Mccall said that he helped in the
preparation Ct the statement. which is in part as
follows:
Al tte time when I was giren full charge Of the
bureau OF Taxation ana legislation for the New
otfitar OF the ST5ts1aI If I1sI,rsrce CompanV and
The Equitable Life Assurance Society, that the
mass y proposed legislation upon insurance top
les. iacls,ills taxation. was annually increasing
IN SUCH yoiuIEe that unless concerted action was
tain this concerted action conferred with the
concurred with mine-that the agency force as
guardians OF insurance in legislative affairs was
cornpany-the insuring Of Iives-vas sadly neg
iected It had also been found impossible to rouse
the polcyholders of our companies TO exert their
Influence Our combined experience was that in
10 where this was tried il ever
successful although tho i had been tried in great
OF the smaller companies; in fact il is the practice
the bulwark Of the larger companies, resting
pnely matter how hostile the legislation. realiz-
lr OraFTa1 n V9i
Therefore fans upon the larger conpanies Tent
Ire TO saw if this defence was not made by the
larger companies that many small companies would
would have been imposed upon them by the passage
o. o. hostile legislation ana would gradually have
neen compelled to sink into position of compara-
tive obscurity. If the smaller companies had been
p5eS Incidental ti to the " work S woud have been
nave been too small TO attract any attention
OTHER AGENTS NEEDED.
sey 70 have representatives other than agents and
peelcyholders in these affairs The usual practice
sent arguments at fixed hearings was correctly
the great life insurance interests of New York
Favored or opposed pending legislative propositions
against their views: 50 likewise did the Knowledge
~! We we're represented at the capitals OF varlous
should be employed in the roll of counsel, which, if
who did not possess our confidence. These and
other considerations led the three companies to but
sr ,o5,,5 ia t oiI fcti and al the saI1e
tlrne proper plan TO guard the welfare of the most
extensive commercial interests in the world-the
life insurance business Of the State Of New-York
This confidential secret service was decided upon
as the only feasible plan of protection. It was so
t.tporied 70 the several companies l explained to
C ne resident Of the New York Life ms Insurance
associated with me in this work TO the officers of
helr respective companies, that itemized accounts
Isis or particulars. should not be demanded If we
We're 10 he held responsible.
f,,lyr- b,-l c4o IN
them % the PRESIDENT of the NewYorR Life fnsg.r-
ance Company I would be equally bound
count fully the representatives of the other
lsnies. Their reports would be similarly eX-
changed Condolences so spread would lose their
Character and become food for general gossip.
ny representatives. frequently men who would not
We're interested in legislation for insurance. I
able 10 assure them that their employment would
have always kept and always shall keep my word.
NE protection OF me coIhpaines ne. Under unoer sucn @
supplied daily with list of legislative propositions
agency advices apprised them of the complete
ne officers were therefore fully cognlZaft OF the
henaces that threatened the policyholders' inter
entsiIed to policyhofders if certain measures were
psssed ana they knew the stTggglss ana nd the re re,
% the participating companies officers. too great,
the system could have been summarily terminated.
= was under these conditions that l undertook to
" @ {s Department and b bad Ike Ike f qnderStan9ng a
Icipating companies. These tativeS had
he same understanding their behalf with each
other and with the New-York Life Insurance Com
iany through ne. Were il hot for this absolute
Understanding ] would not have undertaken the
work because would have been hampered that
Failure must surely have followed.
THE JUDGES SYSTEM
Judge" Hamilton here enters into a long
dissertation on various legislative measures
which ne has had to combat and continues:
At the capital of every State We have either re
taiIea representatives for ths companies are in
cooperation with some one who has retained rep
Iesentatiyes duly influential AS have previously
sale. il has been found advisable TO keep such
matters entirely free from the agency force rep
tesentatives and IL also been found impossible
% interest the nolicyholders % the company II
mas also been found advisable the result of ex-
ttfleAee TO avoid far possible any exact pub
e information who represents Us The
Hl.gEn presence OF a corporation represented at
sssation halls is the signal for renewed vigor IN
Is attacks o. b.ackmaiiers ard cranls. and un-
Continued third