Los Angeles herald., 1905-09-21
Charges Parker With
Taking Gifts
Latter Makes Indignant
Denial
Democratic Candidate Declares He
Expressly Forbade Committee to
Accept Campaign Funds
From Corporations

NEW YORK, Sept. 20.-Political con-
tributions of the New York Life Insur-
ance company and the connection of
Andrew Hamilton of Albany with the
alleged political activity of the COM
pany were principals around which the
hearing before the legislative insurance
committee investigation turned today.
President John A. Mccall of the New
York Life Insurance company was the
chief witness, and for several hours
he was subjected to fire of questions
by Charles e. Hughes, counsel for the
committee, concerning the money paid
for political purposes.
The climax was reached when Mr.
Mccall declared that the soliciting of
funds for campaign purposes was not
confined to the Republican party in the
campaign of 1904, and announced
my life was made weary by the
Democratic candidates chasing me for
money in that campaign. Some Of the
very men who today are being inter-
viewed in the papers and denouncing
men who contributed to campaigns
were crossing my path every step
took looking for money. One-the
candidate himself, Parker-if he would
show up his books when he was chair
man of the Democratic state commit
tee it would give you fit. He never
rejected a dollar in the world. He
would take every dollar that was paid
to him."
Judge Parker was chairman of the
Democratic state executive committee
in 1885.
Mr.. McCall's statement was greeted
with wild cheering, which continued
until threat was made to clear the
room of listeners If the crowd did not
restrain itself
With great care the account of An
drew A. Hamilton with the company
was analyzed by Mr.. Hughes, who
made it clear that search was being
made for political contributions.
Paid HamiIton's Expenses
Mr.. Mccall stoutly maintained that
he had given Mr.. Hamilton no money
to be used in influencing legislation at
Albany, but the admission was obtained
from Mccall that Hamilton's expendi-
lures at Albany were paid from the
company's funds and that his accounts
were not submitted to audit.
It was shown that $235,000 had been
paid to Hamilton with only a verbal
accounting to President Mccall, ana
that at the present time Hamilton
owed the company about $6O'OOo' but
Mr.. Mccall said he felt sure that Ham
,lton. who Is now in Europe, will repay
the sum upon the company's demand
Judge Alton B. Parker, Democratic
candidate for president in 1904, tonight
gave the Associated Press a statement
concerning President McCalls testl-
monv relative to the soliciting of funds
from, the New York Life Insurance
comnany by Democrats in 1904. The
statement follows:
my attention has peen caieu W Uei
tain testimony said to have been given
today by John A, Mccall while wit
ness before the insurance investigating
committee in reply to Mr. Hughes
question whether he thought that In
1904 the interests of the policy holders
were so seriously endangered that the
company ought to contribute
"It is evident. that Mr.. Mccall was
laboring under great excitement in
making his reply, for it is very incoher-
ent. But if his answer is intended to
convey the impression that in the cam
paign of 1904 1 either directly or in
directly sought from him or his corpo-
ration, or any corporation. any money or
tContInued on Page TwO.)