New-York tribune., 1905-12-02
ALEXANDER WORSE?
BRAIN S0FTENING RUM0R.
MutuoFs Press agent Resigns on
Request of Committee.

Interests not remote from James W Alexander
were responsible for the statement made last % hle
that the ex-president of the Equitable mas oe'ei
oped softening Of the brain, following a stVoAe u
apoplexy and not only viii he unable TO testify De
fore the legislative committee but viii prooaoly
never be himself again.
So close a secrecy has been observed eonoerhihs
Nr Alexander's condition that this statement
e1sed wide interest in insurance circles last night
Il had been supposed previously that ne "aS H.i
proving steadily and might be abIe 10 COM "
New-York to testify this month Ihe commits 80
had earnestly wished hear his testimony u Oi'
as conoplenaeut TO the dispositions OF James fzeh
Hyde Z H. Hartman and others -.
while Adrian Iselfn jr.. denied last night thaI'
following Justice Rufus W Pecknann e1aLiipie;
he had resigned from the Mutual Lfe's board OF
trustees IL is generally believed that Mr. Isenn
resignation VIII be submitted to the board possibly
Wednesday
VIII you please deny that nave reslsneu'
NJ Iselin said last night.
nv that Won propose 10 resgn7" suggested the
reporter.
81 oanno. say what shall or shall not do was
Mr. IseIin's reply.
In response 70 the formal written demand OF the
Mutual Ldfes house cleaning committee, Charles
7 Smith he's resigned from the head OF the Mutual
LIES literary bureau. w. L Sullivan, VINO mas
been well known and liked as the head OF the
advertising department, has been appointed TO
zuoneed Andrew c. Fields the superintendent Of
the Mutual Life's supply department and the
host Of the Mutual Life's ''House Of Mirth' at
Albany.
AS told IN yesterdays Tribune several trustees
designations are expected at Wednesdays meet
ins as is that of another employe Of the com
pany.
Regarding MS action the Truesdale commit
tee's request as Mr.. Fields, President Frederic
Cromwell issued the following statement last night:
while Mr. Fields has been supeTs;sdeq ;s a. in od5 the
pany has not been severed IN SO far as [he eI9r
FIeidss successor is temporary; ana the Pernls 5
concurrence of the MutuaIs investigating com
Inittee
II Is understood, however that the publication
OF this statement Immediately followed con
ference between Mr. Cromwell and William II
r-rnasdsIe The trustees have ordered Mr.. Fields
20 return to the Jurisdiction Of the legislative com
1nfttee on pain Of instant dismissal E1-President
McCurdy told the trustees recently that ne had
sent a messenger to California but apparently the
committee has received word from Mr.. Fields.
If is said that for the last twenty years MIR
Smith has drawn annual salary Of 5000 as the
Mutual Lifes press representative. It viii be r.
called that he was the sponsor for the 81 line
favorable report testimony before the legislative
committee
Iohn Clafin trustee Of the New-York Life, said
yesterday that there no truth in the report
that the trustees were about 10 ask for President
John A McCalPs resignation There was no such
movement on foot. he said. A morning newspaper
vestarday cited Mr.. Clafln of The trustees
who were alleged 10 seek a successor to Mr.. NC
Csu. John c. Mccall, President AIcCaITs son, was
ouoted yesterday as denying with emphasis the
report that he and his father were to resign on
January L
Regarding the Berlin dispatch that the Imperial
Insurance once at Berlin has threatened receiver
ship proceedings against the Equitable because OF
the societys failure 10 increase its cash reserves in
Germany, President Morton said yesterday
The new administration of the Equitable Society
has been IN communication with the German gov
and Indications point aTnicabie settlement or
existing differences by the end OF the year. II ne
Equitable Society is willing TO meet any reasonable
demands of the German government As q
of fact, have large deposits in Germany at thlS
lime. particularly in Hamburg. and We are prepared
increase our reserves supsIanu ually-
II is understood that the Equitable Society has
not written any new business in Germany since
1894 Since that time the amount of insurance held
by the society in Germany has been reduced from
S25Oo000 to $50 0o0000. The only realty owned by
the society in Germany. it is said, IS its main
building in Berlin
The trustees Of the Equitable met yesterday, and
next Wednesday will elect new directors under the
power q the proxies received in reply to the let
ter sent out, asking either for proxies or for the
names of persons for whom the policyholders
wished 10 vote.
Senator ". w Armstrong and Ezra P. Prentice,
respectively chairman and secretary Of the legis-
lstive committee yesterday sent to George n Shot
well IN Official stenographer, letter which IL part
follows.
dated ALBANY \ " November IS 1865. solicit-s
ing subscriptions 10 what was therein stated 70 be
by this committee. II was not only without the
knowledge or. consent of the committee but VAS