The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-04-19
AGENTS ARE ALL OF ONE MIND
ASK LEGISLATURE TO MUTUAL
TZE PORTABLE At ONCE.

TO the POlicyhOlderS-S Alex
andeF and Dismiss Hyde Rather Curtly
AMER lie Had Provoked Tarbell into
Hot RetOrt over "Refmdlng."
The general agents Of the Equitable Life
Assurance Society, at their conference
| yesterday at the Hotel Savoy, unanimously
! adopted resolutions indorsing the Alex
| ander administration Of the societys az
| fairs and supporting the venerable presi-
den. In his efforts 10 reorganize the society
! Ignoring First Vice-Prt sident James H.
Hyde. the agents also adopted resolutions
Of confidence in Gage f. Tarbell, the so
cetys second vice-president. They called
upon the directors to declare at once the
definite principle Of the policy holders
exclusive right TO the surplus Of the society,
and voted for the appointment of a COM
mittee to visit Gov. Higgins and State SUI
perintendent Of Insurance Francis Hen
bricks, with view TO plating before them
petition by the agents that the Legislature
exercise it's plenary power by enaCtinE
such amendment TO the charter Of the 20
ciety az will accomplish speedily and with
certainty the admission Of the policyhod-
ers into a substantial direction and control
Of the Equitables administration.
The proceedings Of the age nts was marked
by a personal encounter between James H
Hyde and Gage L. 1arbell at the morning
session. President Alexander was in the
room at the time and it was said later that
II he had not used his influence 10 allay the
feeling against MIR. Hyde there would have
been a row that might have resulted in
serious injury to Mr.. Hydee feelings and
much impOlite conduct on the part of the
agents and managers.
President Alexander had just finished
his opening address to the agents. 1t was
most informal and had to do entirely with
the business relations Of the agents to the
society. 1t was said afterward that it vac
understood between MIR. Alexander and Mr..
Hyde and also among the other speakers
that there we're TO be no personalities. Mr.,
Hyde had been introduced by President
Alexander and read his address from a
typewriter rage. It, too, treated Of the
business Of the agents and the society only
in most general way.
HYDE PRovoKEs A STORM
Mr.. Hyde was nearly at the end Of his
speech, when apT arently he lost control Of
himself, for, taking his eyes Cf the copy
he said. referring to the agents interest in
the policy renewals.
L hope none Of you will ever be called
upon to sell your renewal interests to the
society,"
Mr.. Hyde's friends had charged Mr..
Tarbell with receiving Si35,OOO from tie
society on the eve Of the present Contro-
versy for his renewal interest through the
influence Of President Alexander. Mr..
Hyde had no sooner n ade ills reference
than several agents jun red to their feet,
Mr. Alexander. who was sitting letween
Mr. Hyde and Mr. Tart ell on tie latform,
jumped 20 his feet and waved his anCs
waningly at the agents who we're standing.
They sat down, and 80 did Mr., Hyde,
Mr.. Tarbell when he got the floor, did not
hesitate a second In answering Mr.. Hyde.
He explained the sale Of the renewal inter-
est, as he had explained it before, saying
that the officers and accountants Of the
society had lad his renewal interest PROPOSE
ton under consideration six months before
the interest was finally acquired.
But said Mr. Tarbell, looking Mr..
Hyde squarely in the face and emphasiz-
ing his statement with closed fist, i will
never be called upon to put that or any
other moneys back into the treasury Of the
society,"
With one exception this was the only
exciting incident Of the proceedings, The
other came just as Mr.. Hyde arose to begin
his address. An agent near the centre Of
the room let out a long hiss Mr.. Hyde
seemed rather TO take it as a matter of
course, remarking without any apparent
feeling:
L feel complimented at that
1t was explain ed later by Hyde sup
porters that the man who Kissed was an
agent whose connection with the society
had been severed a few days ago through
Mr., Hyde's efforts.
In his address President Alexander said
among other things that the society was
still the strongest in the world and that il
would grow better and better and would
finally emerge from the present troubles
sound and we'll managed. The policy
holders interests, he declared. were abso-
utely insured. President Alexander also
impressed upon the agents the necessity
Of avoiding the subjects which we're eX-
citing the community and which are under
investigation by the board Of directors,
and he begged them TO confne their dis
oussion TO the best ways of maintaining
and developing the business under the
existing circumstances.
Mr.. HYDE CURTLY DISMISSED.
The morning session was the only one
that was attended by officers Of the So
ciety. Mr.. Alexander said in closing the
session that inasmuch as the conference
was an agents AFFAIR he did not suppose
the agents would care TO have the society's
officers present any longer
Am | to understand, said Mr.. Hyde.
turning toward the president, that our
retirement from the session is to be per-
manent7"
we will let you know when we want you,
yelled several Of the agents. and with that
Mr. Hyde walked out.
LOBBYING AMONG THE AGENTS.
The morning session began at u O'Clock.
Long before that time, in fact, almost be-
fore the breakfast hour was past, the Alex
ander and Hyde lobbyists were at work
among the agents. Mr.. Alexander's sup
porters we're on hand again with basket