Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1905-11-18
INVESTIGATORS Size UP
BILLS 0E LOBBYISTS
lNuRANcE INVESTIGATORS GO
THROUGH VOUCHERS OF THE
EQUITABLE LIFE. .
HIS RECEIPT FOR RETAINER IS
READ AND is THE CAUSE OF
MUCH LAUGHTER.

New York, Nov. 18.-Frank B. Jor-
dan, son Of the former comptroller of
the Equitable Life Assurance society,
was the first witness called before the
legislative Insurance investigation
committee during the day. He had tes-
titled at q previous session that he did
not know the whereabouts Of his father
or mother and that he did not know
whether they were living or not. He
said het4had not since learned of his
fathers whereabouts. He had received
letter from his mother, who is in
Canada. She said nothing about his
father.
Samuel 8. McCurdy, assistant regis
trar Of the Equitable society, was next
called. He had formerly been secre-
tary to Secretary william Alexander Of
the society. AS assistant registrar he
[ had custody Of vouchers for moneys
paid out for legal expenses. He pro-
duced the voucherssfor such expenses
for the last ten years. In the vouchers
for 1896 was a letter to James w.
Alexander from Robert II. McCurdy
OF the Mutual Life Insurance company
which accompanied bill for the Equit-
able's share of salary and expenses
sof George 8. Batcheller as "plensry
legal representative" Of the Equitable
society, New York Life Insurance COM
spany and Mutual Life Insurance com.
pany. The salary OF Mr.. Batcheller
from this combination was given In a
statement as $77,70O. It was brought
out that Mr.. Batcheller's duties were
abroad.
Dave Hiirs Significant Note.
Mr.. McCurdy said he did not know
when David B. Hills retainer as coun.
Il sci to the Equitable society began. The
first voucher from Mr.. Hill the witness
had was dated March 20. 1895. Mr..
Hills letter to J. w. Alexander ex-
planning this voucher and acknowl-
edging the receipt OF the retainer Gre
ated much laughter. In note at the
end of the letter Mr.. Hill wrote: Il
II am feeling pretty well now that
congress has adjourned and the coun.
try Ii safe. When the legislature ad.
journs the state Will be SAFE"
The packages Of vouchers were gone
through by Mr.. Hughes, who asked as
70 the Legal services rendered by the
sfgners Of the various vouchers. Vouch-
I srs for 5000 and $500 in 1896 sign
cd by Tracy, Boardman q Plat were
found. The witness said this firm was
not regularly retained and he did not
know what legal services they per.
formed. x
"A voucher from James M. Lewis,
dated Jan. ~. 1899, was for $1,000 Gin
full for services rendered during the
coming session Of the general assem-
! bly, In Missouri" Witness did not
know Lewis nor the services he per-
formed.
Vice President Tarbeii Tsstifiss.
Gage q. Tarbell, second vice presi.
dent Of the Equitable society, was call
( ca when Mr.. McCurdy had finished.
He told Of his connection with the
EQUITABLE. which has continued twenty.
4 six years. Mr.. Tarbell said he knew
nothing Of the memoranda given BY
/ Nj. Jordan to "A. G. Fields. He did not
know Fields and knew only that he
looked after the legislation In New
York for the Mutual. He had confer.
encSs with representatives Of other
companies relative to legislative mat
tsrs and endeavored In 1908 to have :
committees appointed to look after the
interests d policyholders that would