The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-10-04
Stormy Scenes at Western h.
 demnit Meeting
AUDIENCE IN AN UPROAR
President of Company Is Charged With Gag Rule" In Refusing to Hear Wishes of Policy
 Holders.

Chicago. October 3.-Shouts of 'robber and thieves" were raised ot a meeting of policy holders of the Western Life h. demnity company today, Men nearly came to blows during hysterical scene attending protests made against rulings of the chair. The principal uproaf tol- lowed a request for a reading Of minutes of a previous meeting and refusel by President George M. --oulton.
 Attorney Hicks, chairman of the pohcy holders committee, shouted, as he ad- vanced to the chair step by step that free- dom of speech was being denied and gag rule was being resorted to by the of ficials of the insurance company.
 President Moulton was rapping for or der. He declined to listen to MT. HICKS.
 Cant be heard?" shouted Hicks. who stood directly in front of the chairman.
 "Order, order" said the chairman, rap- ping with his gavel.
 Shakes Fist In Face.
 Hicks shook his fist close to President Moulton's face and continued his pro- test As soon as the meeting was called to order a policy holder arose and moved adiournment Before the motion was put Hicks Jumped to his feet and above the roar of protests against the motion. shouted
 q want to hear the minutes of the ad- journed meeting. 1 want to know II the directors have passed any amendment 10 the constitution as they were empowered to do last spring.
 nf nrda tne chairman. "There is a motion to ad- journ before the house." MT Hicks then asked that the motion be put It was defeated. The chair de- manded that the qualified voters in the | meeting be ,aentined. He said commit tee on credenti would be appointed. ''I move that k. D. Steem, O. F. Parker l and J. S. White be named as a commit tee on credentials" moved Hicks. l President Moulton declared him out oi i order and said that the chair had the | right to name the committee HICKS again objected. but President Moulton appointed l., M Martin, E. D. Steem and | J. s. White the committee, The room 1 was then cleared for committee work. | There were seventy-five policy holders at the meeting, among whom were a dozen women. It was learned that proxies l for Il 900 policy holders were in the hands of General Manager Rosenfeld, while only l 1900 were held by the committee.
 Women Were Excitable. l The women who attended the meeting were more excitable than the men. They 1 have come to Chicago from various | places to look after their interests ol
 policies In the company or are owners of death claims which are in litigation l When the committee on credentials
 turned in its report there was another | Interruption. Albert Morgan arose to a l point of order. General Moulton rappeo 1 for order but Hicks insisted on talking General Moulton. still rapping with his | gavel, asked MT. Hicks to be seated and l behave like a gentleman. | Do you mean to say I am not acting l like a gentleman2' asked MT. Hicks You are not" answered General Moul-
 ton.
 You lie sir; you lie!" retorted MT. ! Hicks.
 l Those present can judge for them- | selves,' answered General Moulton. Correct Correct!" shouted several 1 voices.
 MT. Hicks finally sat down and the roll 1 on the motto nto adjourn was carried.