davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1905-10-13
JOneSvilIe JoftingS.

Joncsville, October 9.-Thc cool .
lays arc quite pleasant and makes
one feel like frost was near by.
The Joncsvillc hotel will be opened .
for business about the 18th inst. |
The Misses Crenshaw who will have
charge of it are well up in the busi- !
ness of keeping boarding houses and
hotels and will make the Jonesville
motel a first class house for their |
guests.
The cotton market was quite
lively the first part of last week
while the price was ten cents but
when it dropped below ten cents
the selling was in measure cut
short. made q drive of nine miles
through the country today and
was surprised to see so much open
cotton in the fields. Some fields
had never been picked and in most
farms the cotton was better than |
expcctcd to sec it and much of the
corn was fine and the pea vine crop
was never better. After all the
complaining of short crops and the
prospective hard times it is very
evident to an impartial and hope
full observer that there is a living in
the land and no cause for COM
plant.
Mr.. Il. NJ. Littlciohn has bought
a building lot on Pacolet street
which he will improve soon.
Mrs. J. L. Mabrcy has also
bought lot on Pacolet street from
her brother Mr.. F. p. O'Shiclds
upon which she will build dwell
ing.
Mr.. J. w. Scott has opened
grocery store on Main street at Mrs.
Cornclia Fowler's old stand and his
son Robert has moved to town.an
is managing the store for his father.
Mr.. J. w. Gallman has sold his
stock of goods to Messrs. J. T.
Altman, Jr., and Hosea WcbbeG
who conduct the business at the
same stand. Mr.. Gallman with
Mr.. Lybrand will continue their
meat market at the same stand.
Mr.. William A. Smith of Union
known among his fellows as "Dock
Smith" will take a position in the
store with r. w. Scott & Co.. the
same store house in which Dock
first commenced as. a clerk with
j. H. Littlejohn & Co. many years
since.
The oil mill here is running now
on full time. The brick yard has
shut down.
Mr.. H. F. Floyd has sold his
plantation near Jonesville to John
Hill, prosperous colored man, for
two thousand dollars.
Spartanburg bar, was in our town
today on professional business.
Mrs. Ophclia Jcter, of Santuc, is
visiting her sons family. Mr.. f.
H. Jcter and she with Mrs. E. H.
Jcter attended service at the Metho
dist church here yesterday.
Rev. ID. f. Camak and Rev. A.
A. James filled their respective
pulpits here yesterday morning and
evening.
Thcr is lot of chills along the
Pacolet and Fair Forest streams
this fall, more so than usual.
! Mr.. Hugh It. Little, of Spartan
burg, spent Sunday in our town.
=, Mrs. John n. Lemaster and little
son of Ridgeway, S. c., are the
guests of Miss Mildred Lindsey for
several days.
Capt. w. T. Littlejohn is quite
unwell and has been for several
days.
TELEPHONE.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-10-18

snperintended out of business in five years.
 Was that MT. Fields special business in Albany"
 That I cannot say, but I will state that it is legitimate and proper for an insurance company to have competent and successful man to watch legisla- tion"
 Did you take any pains to ascertain whether the money paid out by the law department was legitimately or illegiti- mately used?"
 T did not. I knew the accounts were correct. or there would have been com plaint."
 It was brought out that Fields has paiu sums of money for professional services" and legal services to George Plunkett of this city; Charles R. MeLel- land, formerly state senator, and now member of the board of general apprais- CTS at this port; Louis F. Murray, M. E.. Mulaney. James O. Larim, John E. Ash and others
 Mir McCurdy was shown a voucher for s9SO6. and one for $2500 paid by the Mutual Life Insurance company to Andrew Ham, ilton in May, 1901, for legal services. He knew nothing about 1t. This money it appeared later was for matters pertaining to legislation in Missouri.
 A voucher for $13,393 was for money paid to the New York Life Insurance company flor adjustment of Mutual ac- count" drawn at MT. Shorts request. This was a payment for legal services in the legislative pool that was brought about several weeks ago. MT McCurdy said he had not looked into the account for legal expenses last year. He "ac- cepted the report of MT. Short as an honorable gentleman"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-10-18
M'CURDY WILL NOT AN-
 SWER AND CROWDS JEER
(contInued from First Page)


 McKeen, associate counsel to the commit- tee put in evidence for the records statement of the assets of the Mutual Life Insurance company and of the banks of England, France and Germany. James M. Beck, of counsel for the Mutual Life Insurance company, claimed last Tuesday before the committee that the assets of the Mutual Life exceeded the combined assets of the banks of France, Germany and England. By cable MT McKeen said he had ascertained the combined assets of these institutions were s2, ,226, 574.725, while those of the Mutual Life were s440,978,371. Further, said MT McKeen, he found the salary of the president of the bank of Germany to be $30, GOO per annum, and that of the chief governor of the bank of Eng land to be $10,000. He had been unable to ascertain the salary of the president of the bank of France.
 The examination of Mir. McCurdy was then begun. he being questioned first as to advertising. A clipping from a mag Rzine for October, 1905, was shown him.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-10-18
SERVICES WILL BE
 RESUMED TONIGHT
A SERIES OF SUNDAY SCHOOL SERVICES WILL BE HELD AT FIRST METHODIST CHURCH. END SUNDAY.

The sesier of Sunday school services which began last Sunday at the First Methodist church will be resumed tonight and will conclude Sunday, when three special Rally Day. services will be held Special services will be held tonight. Thursday night and Friday night. The following is the programme of the three nights:
 "Wednesday. Devotional exercises-M. F. MeCarty "Co-operation in the Sunday Schools Escar Floyd.
 "The Duties of the superintendent-J B. Wadsworth.
 "A Model Sunday sehoo1"-Rev. Dr. Duncan.
 Thursday. Devotional exercises-W. P. Brewer. How to Hold the Young People"-J. S.. Bridges.
 "The Sunday School as Character Builder"-J. D. Moore.
 Hannah and Samuel'-Col. s. w. John.
 Friday.
 Devotional exercises-Dr. Ballard. How to Build and Hold a Glass; Joel c. DuBose.
 Primary work.
 DutleS OI 1tdcn6IS A r g iJoHlSt Short Talks from Teachers-Open. Sunday morning, the Rev. H. M. Hamill of Nashville will preach on the sub feet "The Bible and the Sunday School He will fill the pulpit again Sunday af- ternoon and Sunday evening, preaching at the former time on How To Make Sunday School Go," and at the latter oc- casion on "The Hardest Sunday School Problem.
 The children of the Sunday school will take part in a professional which will march in the church singing "onward Christian Soldiers. The primary class will render "A Harvest Chorus and Chil- drens Hosannas.
 full chorus and choir will render spe- cial music at the three services.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-10-18
MONEY WAS PAID OUT
 TO WISCONSIN LAWYERS.

MT. Hughes then showed to MT. Me- Curdy a voucher for the payment of S5O00 to William A. Fricke, formerly in- surance commissioner of Wisconsin, and letter from Charlton T. Lewis, an at torney of Madison Wis. The letter stated that Mir Fricke would accept retainer "to see that the interests of the Mutual Life should come to no harm in the state. MT. McCurdy approved the voucher, but could not remember the details
 voucher for a payment in 1903 of s3100 to s. & Olds flor professional serv-
 which was to be paid by each of the
 three big insurance companies, next came up.
 Mir McCurdy said:
 MT. Lewis told me he had sent one
 winter in educating the minds of the legislators of either Michigan Wisconsin
 or Ohio with regard to certain legislation
 affecting the insurance companies. He proceeded to the capitol of the state and discovered the residences of political god parents the relations and neighbors of the legislators It meant journey after journey up and down the state. and the inducing of men to go, too, who would expect their expenses and something else. "Then he went to Washington and spent
 some weeks getting acquainted with the
 senators and congressman from that state. He got on friendly footing with them so that he might speak to them of
 the damage the legislation would do the insurance business, and got letters from ! them back to the legislators in the state assembly. For this he received 5000 for his own service and expenses for travel ing, and employing men, but not one dol- lar except for legitimate purposes" What did he pay men for?' "Well, many of them were 1aymen, and | he had to pay them to sit and listen to 1 him. say this explains the matter, and
 resent the suggestion that the money
 was spent in improper ways, but I think | 1t would be improper to publish the names of some of those he employed" 1 MT. McCWdy then stated he knew nothing of s. s. Olds.
 1 "Can you recall at all what legislation you thought necessary to oppose?"
 COULD NOT RUN ALL
 DEPARTMENTS OF COMPANY. That would not be in my province. If l I undertake to run all the departments
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-10-18
MAKES WITNESS FEEL THAT HE IS ON THE RACK.

MT. McCurdy said he thought that put ting witness under oath and making him feel that he is on the rack is apt to produce incorrect answers. His answers, he said, were published in a distorted manner that looked like an attempt to ruin him. ''Why shouldn't witness shut his mouth up," he continued.
 When a witness comes here and tells frankly all that he knows, the committee should consider such testimony in an executive session to see what further steps should be taken, but to attempt to drag from a witness any luther than he knows makes him-well, like criminal.'
 Referring to the question of reduction of dividends, witness again declined to give a direct answer.
 Figures don't lie but liars can figure" was MT. McCurdys reply after MT. Hughes had read a long list of policy numbers, with the amount they were taken out for, the amount paid In and the dividends received by the policy holders. Mir. McCurdy continued: You have right to get your case in, in your own way, MT. Hughes. l have not follow ed the figures. There are too many for any controversy to follow. l have no doubt that all those statements and fig ures can be explained by the proper per sons l don't attribute any lie to any body, I say 1t facetiously"
 Well let's see what you do to reduce expenses of your company. Do you re- duce salaries?" said MT. Hughes.
 Well, 'er,"-here there was great laughter.
 You're entitled to that laugh" he said. Let me see how I can answer that"
 MT Hughes then brought out that salaries had been slightly reduced in the reforms of clerical forces and general agencies. 'I have not reduced the salaries of the executive officers, they were never cut They were none too fat any way,' said Mir McCurdy.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-10-18
HAD TRIED TO REDUCE
 THE LEGAL EXPENSES

MT. McCurdy said he would furnish figures to show how much the expenses had been reduced by the reforms. He said he had tried to reduce expenses of the legal department MT. Hughes said that the legal expenses for last year were greater than heretofore. Mr. McCurdy denied any responsibility for any state ments made by other witnesses. He said he had ordered discontinued many suits and dismissed a number of attorneys.
 MT. Hughes read another complaint made by a prominent lawyer well known to President McCurdy." The lawyer in a long letter described the falling off of the dividends of his and twenty-five other policies. The figures given in the lawyers g letter indicates that the dividends began decreasing in 1896, going down in his case from $16 in that year to Sl.75 in 1904. MT. Hughes stated that before 1885 the theory of a high surplus was not put In operation and up to that date policy holders were paid reasonable dividends, but under the high surplus theory dyi- dends decreased.
 Have you any comment to make upon the lawyers letter." asked MT. Hughes. 'I have no doubt the statements made In the letter can be successfully eontro- verted or properly explained by persons In the employ of the company conversant
 with the facts" was the reply.
 Said MT. Hughes, q will ask you 1T the excess of interest from which divi-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-10-18

surance business, the witness should pe glad to give it.
 Mr. McCurdy again proffered ms as tuary to furnish the information desired. He protested so strongly against the ilah- ner in which the investigation was pe- ing conducted that Chairman Armstrong asked witness how he would eondue. le'
 "I don't know. l don't impugn the nho- tives of the committee of which you are the worthy chairman"
 If there is a better way of conducting this investigation, Mir. MeGurdy, saia Chairman Armstrong, we would be most happy to learn it."
 Senator Fully asked the witness II ne thought the committee was too through in the investigation, and the witness re- piled he did not,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-10-18

dends are paid to policy-holders is not nov less than in former years.
 IT 1t is said so in our official literature, it must be so"
 But in the interest earned was not so much reduced as to affect your salary" T don't think that question is pertin- ent.''
 T think it is very pertinent
 T did not fix my salary or discuss 1t In commendatory way. Other people fixed it.
 Would you not think it proper to con- sider it in connection with the diminish ing rate of interest?"
 "I am not considering any such con- difiora
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-10-18
GOOD MORNING, ANT, TT
 CHILLY?

Not at all if you have a small Gas Heater. Burned an hour in the morning, at nominal cost. it will take the chill out of the air and make the house cemforta ble. See the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power Company; they can tell you all about them. Phone 5, Exchange Is.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-10-18

I would soon run myself under the ground"
 Do you recall the attempt last winter to repeal section 56 of the insurance laws. under which no motion to force any do- nestle insurance company to give an accounting could be brought without the consent of the attorney general?" asked Mir Hughes.
 At first MT. McCurdy said he did not remember such bill. but finally said he did remember that there was such bill brought in by State Senator Bracket.
 What attitude did you take in the matter?'
 None that I am aware of"
 Did you not pay William Barnes, Sr., of Albany, a bill lately?"
 "No. Yes. Now I remember he said he had appeared before a committee and argued some question before it. He sent in his bill and I paid it." replied MT. Me Curdy
 MT. Hughes produced voucher and correspondence. This showed that on September H. 1905. $100O was paid Barnes for three arguments and certain docu- ments drawn up for the insurance com mittees at Albany. The correspondence explained that the late Edward L. Short had arranged to pay MT. Barnes for op- posing the Bracket bill, the New York Life paying him a like amount. The letter stated that Mir Barnes had re- ceived 5000 from Judge Hamilton on be- half of the New York Life Insurance com pany, and the bill to the Mutual was for the same amount. The bill was paid.
 Tn what sense was 1t to the interest of the policy holders to oppose the re- peal of this section?" asked Mir Hughes
 'I don't suppose I paid the least at tention to what the services were. I re- ceived note from the acting head of the legal department. and so authorized the payment"
 'Is there any possibility of the mat ters thus left to the law department of bills fin the interest of the policy holders being opposed?'
 If there were, I should get another general solicitor"
 will you give your own opinion of this proposed repeal?'
 'I will abandon my usual habit of novel reading tonight and will give my best attention to this matter. I do not like to answer off-hand."
 The printing and stationery account of $6O1 101 for 1904 was taken up and MT. MeCurdy said that on several occasions he had secured a reduction of bills for stationery.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-10-18
WITNESS KNOWS NOTHING
 OF THE VOUCHERS.

Mr. McCurdy said in reply to questions, that he did not know the retainer or Jas. F. Pierce, formerly superintendent or h- surance of New York state, Who Was employed by the Mutual Life Insurance company as attorney.
 Witness did not know the reason Tor an order of the cashier of the company rom Vice President Gillette to pay MT. Pierce $25OO In January, 1905.
 Vouchers for sums aggregating sS69f paid to Chas. P. Mcclellan, an attorney between the dates of January, 1901 and March, 1902, witness thought were for foreclosures.
 voucher of January 16, 1905, for $7oO to Jamse R. Craig, for professional serV- ices, was recommended for payment by Fields" Witness did not know Craig and did not know that the signature was Fields. Witness was asked what right A. C. Fields, as superintendent or the supply department, has to order payment of legal expenses, and replied: Every right in the world if he knew about them" Witness could give no further information on this coucher. It was shown that Fields has been superintend- ent of the supply department for fifteen years, and more or less under the direc- tion of the law department to look after legislation. Witness approved of this
 At this point MT Beck presented an affidavit from Mir Fields physician stat ing that Fields was advised in April to take a long trip either to Southern Cali fornia or Southern France. The physi- elan further deposed that he has not seen Fields since July, and that he is informed he is now in Southern Cali fornia.
 A voucher for money for professional service paid J. Howard, Jr., of $2oo0, was marked lon account and 'repayable on demand" This was authorized by MT. McCurdy, but he did know who ordered it charged to legal expenses. Asked who Howard was, witness said he conducted literary and correspondence bureau, and wrote for newspapers. MT. McCurdy testified that he paid Howard about $250O a year for his services, and that the S250O paid on the voucher in question might 'be in the nature of an advance or a loan"
 Asked if he knew that MT. Fields had house in Albany, witness said that owing to his health it was thought better 10 live in a private house rather than in a hotel, so MT. Fields with three other men hired a house for a season and paid $500 for it. MT. McCurdy thought it was in the winter Pressed further. he stated that MT. Fields was there on legislative matters.
 MT McCurdy did not know Andrew Hamilton and never saw him. He was surprised to learn that the Mutual Life Insurance company had ever paid him any money. Recess.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-10-18
BoWLES WAS REMOVED FOR THROWING MUD.

"The trustees referred the matter to the president with power" witness test.- fled. He added that the board had not
 read the letter. Witness only understood sufficient of it to see what it was, and
 then removed Bowles. He testified that MT. Bowles had been a successful agent in the south and west, and he was re- moved for throwing mud" The charge In the Bowles letter that President Me-
 Curdy provided fat offices for his family replied in a lengthy statment as to how
 his son, Robert H. McCurdy became the 1 general manager. Witness detailed the education his son had received to adapt
 nm to take up the foreign business, and
 said above all he was loyal to the com
 pany.
 T know of no other mans son in this city or elsewhere" he continued ''who could have filled that position as the man l appointed to it."
 Witness assumed all the Bowles charges were lie and especially the charge that great deal of company's ] business had been given away. 1 Witness memory could not be refreshed 1 as to any policy holders movement, and i MT. Hughes asked abruptly: 1 Well. why did you settle his suit?' I We'll" replied witness. mot to be dis respectful to the committee. I think a I farmer Is justified in buying a rifle to 1 shoot skunk without shooting 1t at 1 close quarters"
 You thought in either case there being
 unpbeasantness. you'd rather treat at long
 range?" asked MT. Hughes l Witness said that the suit was settled
 to get rid of the policy holder agitation,
 and at MT. Hughes suggestion witness i said that the agitation went with Bowles.
 The compensation of the foreign agency
 was then taken up MT. McCurdy would :, only say that he did the best he could under the circumstances in fixing hls ] sons salary. Beyond that he would say nothing. The committee adjourned until l tomorrow morning with MT. McCurdy still a witness.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-10-18
M'CURDY ON STAND
 IN THE AFTERNOON.

Mir McvCurdy's examination was re- sumed at the afternoon session. He said that he did not know who the three other men were who rented the house with Fields in Albany.
 When MT. McCurdy was asked what MT. Fields was doing in Albany. he said:
 He was looking after legislation. If legislation was not watched in every state, every corporation would be cul- pablo for not paying it's interests. If legislation was not watched, the insur- ance companies would be legislated and
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-10-18
TWO FIRMS GET ALL
 THE COMPLAINTS PRINTING.

Lisander w. Lawrence, the witness said. was head of the firm of l.. ". Lawrance & Go. The Mutual Life h. surance company had been buying sta tionery from that firm for thirty-five firm and the Globe Printing company re- ceived the bulk of the Mutuars business in stationery Witness did not know that Lawrence was treasurer, and Louis W Ballard, a partner in the Lawrence firm was secretary of the Globe Printing com- pany Of the S801, ,101 paid for stationery last year, witness could not say how much the Lawrence firm and the Globe Print ing company got. Witness said that no officer of the Mutual Life Insurance com pany is interested in either the Lawrence firm or the Globe Printing company. Mr. McCurdy said he did not know if any expenditures for other purposes than stationery were included in that account.
 MT Hughes said that question had been raised concerning the money paid by the Mutuad Life Insurance company for luncheons for it's clerks.
 Yes" said MT. McCurdy the clerks were fed, but the scrub-women, elevator men and policemen. are not fed by the company About 600 clerks are fed daily at cost of 40 cents a head.
 'Is there a stock of wines kept in the buildng?' asked MT. Hughes.
 T don't believe that"
 MT. Beck, counsel for the Mutual Life Insurance company, interrupted the ex- animation to state that when the French delegation to the St. Louis exposition was entertained by the Mutual Life, wine was served
 A voucher for payment of s1O,oo0 under
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-10-18

He said it was an advertisement inserted by his company, setting forth the ad- vantages of his company. Witness never saw the advertisement before in his life He had no more knowledge of what ad- vertising his company puts out than the casual reader. This was the business of the advertising department, he said.
 MT. McCurdy did not know whether some one in the Mutual Life Insurance company's offices received the coupon at tached to the advertisement, which the reader is instructed to forward to the company for further information, and whether the coupons went to C. H. Ray. mond & Co.,, the Metropolitan agents ot the Mutual.
 Mir Hughes announced that the commit tee had received a large number of let ters relative to the dividends on the poll cies of the Mutual Life Insurance com pany Some of theW Mr. Hughes read to the witness, saying those he read were from policy holders In New York city. One writer who had taken out policy in 1865 for 5000, on the ten-payment life plan. said his dividend in 1876 was 55.76' In 1881 1t was cut to $39, in 1891 it was pe- duced to $2O, and in 1904 to S. This, the writer said, was in the face of the re- serve increasing year after year.