The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-12-28
STATEMENT READ
| TO INVESTIGATORS
Legislative Agent for New York
Life Insurance Co. Says He
Had to Do a Little Mis-
sionary Work in the
House OF Dele
gates.
(By Associated Prcss.)

NEW. YORK, December 21.--AndreW
Hamilton, the legislative agent for the
New York Life Insurance Company. who,
according to testimony, has been en-
trusted with hundreds of thousands OF
dollars by tho company, and has not ao-t
counted for s2a5.Ooo, has been heard from
by the legislative insurance investigation
committee. but has declined to make an
accounting.
A statement by Hamilton was read for
the record to-day. 1t was presented py
Secretary John G. Mccall, Of the New
York Life, who went to Paris to secure
mn accounting from Hamilton. In his
statement Mr.. Hamilton says that he Is
unable to produce any books orsnccounts,
because he undertook the legislative mat
ters for the life insurance companies
with the express understanding that he
was to make no accounting. Absolute
secrecy was necessary in retaining as
istnnts, therefore no checks were used
In making payments.
Secret Service System.
Mr.. Hamilton went into an exhaustive
explanation OF the reasons for orga nizing
this confidential service. as he chnrac-t
terlzed It. covering his methods of work
and citing n number of legislative bills
In which he had been Interested. A list:
OF expenses from 1890 to 1904 was ap-
pended to the statement. The sum of
s235, COO unaccounted for, he says, would
be greatly reduced by his running ac-
count. still unsettled and open, and, as
matter of faith pending q settlement,
lie offers to deposit 100000 to the COM
pany. s y95 ~. Il #@
Mr.. Hamilton, In bis statement, says
that ut the time OIL his employment by
the New York Life. the life insurance
companies feared That unless concerted
action was taken they might be practi--
cally legislated ana taxed out OF exist.
ence. "The usual practice or depending
alone upon counsel to attend and present
arguments was determined to be insuffi-
cient." says Mr.. Hamilton '',rhc very
fact That the great life insurance inter
|csts OF New York favored or opposed
pending Legislative propositions, would
| itself often concentrate the opposition
against their Views: SO likewise did the
knowledge that we We're represented at
1.-the capitols OF various States lend to de-.
mands that political favoritcs should be
employed in the role OF counsel, which,
| If acceded to, placed our affairs ut the
mercy Of those who did not possess our
confidence. "a
l#These and other considerations led the
three companies to but one conclusion.
We felt that II a secret service was a
permissible governmental agency, n CON
fidential service would be the only ef-
fective and at the same time proper
plan to guard the welfare OF the most
extensive commercial interests in the
iworld-the life insurance business of the
State of New York. This confidential
secret service was decided upon as the
only feasible plan of projections"
Takes Shot at Virginia.
Mr.. Hamilton gives a long summary OF
the various styles of bills hostile to in
Guran &C companies. many OF them taxa
tlon measures. "Bils to compel the
company's reports to be repeatedly and
unnecessarily published In newspapers arc
advocated," says Mr.. Hamilton. ITO gain
favor with the press for increasing their
revenues Outrageous propositions. such
ms tho ten per cent. tax proposed in
Arkansas. or absurd propositions like the
Michigan bill, where n Doctors certifi-
cate of III health would excuse the pay
mont OF tho insurance premium and keep
a policy In force; or tho Virginia bill.
making 1t actionahe for a life insurance
agent to enter the Office of q man where
tho sign mo agents allowed" is dis
played find legislative favor. However
ridiculous these bills may seem. they
demand attention.
Finds Some Honest Men.
AT the capital of every State we have
either retained representatives for the