The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1905-04-22

brave. There was nothing undetermined
Or mean about him. What he intended
to do he would do cards on the table,"
So, one day, the imperious President
Winston was astounded by the an
nouncement from this eagle-eyed, erect,
commanding youth, that he proposed
organizing a new life insurance COM
pany, ami that he desired the aid and
counsel of his respected chief.
Chief Condemns Plans.
To the autocrat of the life assurance
business this was ank treason.
Whether the aspirations of the auda-
cious clerk could have been quenched
by kindly treatment Or lot will never
be known. 1t is history that the rigid
president took the harsh course. He
was indignant at the presumption and
what he considered the disloyalty of his
subaltern. He let him know in no un-
certain terms that it was impossible for
any one to contrive the organization OF
an Independent concern and at the same
time continue in the employ of the Mu-
tual Life. Anger and contempt were
clearly shown. Of course, it was Mr..
WinstOn's expectation that the revolt
ing scheme would be forthwith aban-
doned. 1t was his habit to be obeyed.
But he counted without his host. He
made the mistake of Understanding
the force of the man who seemed to him
to be assuming the role of adversary.
Resigns and Starts Equitable.
IT~~~ =, ,I~ .~ h.
was made which shaped and controlled
the astonishing life work of the most
eminent man who has shown in the
armament of life assurance. Calm but
dignified, respectful but firm, at bay. as
it were, before that lion among forceful
men, without an %instant's hesitation,
looking his superior full in the eye, he
made his decision.
When can my resignation be &C
cepted?" he asked.
AT once!" was Mr.. Winston's imme-
diate reply.
Thus ended Hyde's connection with
the Mutual Life. Thus began his career
as the leader in the business and the
constructor Of American life assurance
as it fourishes to-day. Within a week
iooAuo NCi lcllcu Ou bIOdu w dy 1l1ule-
diately over those of the Mutual Life,
and a broad sign displayed on the front,
overshadoWing the Mutual's windows
bearing the words, 1.-The Equitable Life
Assurance Society Of the United States"
New Company's Success.
Within the limits of this article a de-
tailed account of the steps which led
from this small beginning to the great
results which ensued, cannot be given.
The story is as thrilling as a romance.
In the early days Mr.. Winston frowned
on the undertaking, and looked on Hyde
as an audacious ad%yenturer. To-day
the tWo companies stand side by side,
peers in the work, each having over
$l,25O, 600 900 of business on their books
and each t~ransacting over 5000, 600 900
OF new business per annum. 1t is cred
table both to Mr.. Winston and Mr.. Hyde
that all animosities were buried during
their life time and that they became
firm friends, each recognizing the high
merits of the other. Both lie to-day in
hOnOred graves.
Captures the Foreign Market.
Besides founding and perfecting the
"a "h4Si AS was pI0S1UGuL,
Hyde from the moment he entered the
lists injected an energy and progressive
spirit into the business which made it
with leaps and bounds. Hardly
a reform Of meritoriOus character was
introduced except by him. And reforms
were needed, and their establishment
followed up by Herculean industry and
the use Of brains of a high order made
life assurance popular. Imitators ap-
peared. The existing companies caught
the fire. Not content with a home mar
ket, Hyde pioneered American life as
surance in Europe and bearded the Brit
lsh lion in his den. Received at first
with contempt by the foreign people,
the American compares fought their way
into recognition n confidence, and to-
day the outstanding foreign business ex-
ceeds $3.50 900, 900.
Hyde, like Alexander the Great, ON
quered the world, and died at the age of
IS, the acknowledged great figure in the
field chosen by him for a career. If the
day, when the strong hand of President
Winston aimed a blow at his ambition,
had been different, and he had sue
cumbed to his superior's will, not only
a man would have lost a brilliant career,
but a nation would have lost a stuDen-
dous advantage.
Copyright, 1908, BY Joseph B. Bowles.)
Bits About Big People.
A directory issued in Honolulu con-