Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-17
Practice Of One of the Big
Insurance Companies.
TO SECURE GOOD WILL
POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS SAID
TO HAVE BEEN COMMON.
New York Life Not the Only Sub
scriber-Mr. Bliss Refuses to
Discuss the Matter.

St"Siai bisphtcn 10 Ibe Star.
NEW YORK. September 10 THAT
other companies than the New York Life
nave contributed regularly for campaign
ana other political purposes was learned
today on what may be considered COM
petent authority. A lawyer who has been
in intimate relations with insurance COM
panies and political managers said that
the practice OF which Geo. W. Perkins
told in the case OF the New York Life was
general, and that he had himself been an
intermediary between certain republican
leaders and one OF the great companies
which has also given regularly to the
democratic cause so as TO stand in with
both sides"
The theory OF these contributions was
expressed frankly-quite frankly. In fact
as Mr.. Perkins. on the stand before tho
Armstrong committee on Friday told of
the belief Of President Mccall and HIM
self In the campaigns Of 1895, 1900 and
1904 that the safety of the assets which
the policy holders had piled up I'm the
New York Life demanded the success of
the republican ticket
Standing in With Everybody.
In the case OF the other company men
toned. however. the desire was to hold the
good Will OF everybody. The reason ex-
pressed was that the policy holders num-
bered members of both the great political
parties Whether contributions were ever
made to the populist, socialist, socialist
learned today
Cornelius N. Bliss treasurer OF the re-
publican national committee, who got the
4s,1O2 90 proceeds Of the New York LIES
check In the campaign OF 1894. was at his
country place in Seabright today He an
swered the phone when reporter called
up. but when the reporter had finished ask
ing wnat other companies than the New
York Life had helped Mr.. Roosevelt along
there was no response. Mr.. Bliss had APP
parenuy hung up the receiver. He Will
nave an opportunity to tell the COMMITTEES
later, however, unless he should stay at
Seabright elsewhere beyond the reach
OF subpoena until after the Investigation
Is over.
The Checks Given Hamilton.
1t appears on evidence dependent on the
Identification OF the checks OF the New York
Life to Andrew Hamilton, which were
drawn on the First National Bank here
cashed through the State National In AL
bany, and charged through the Hanover
BANK office account into a real estate sun
dries Item In the home Office annex ac-
count, that the life insurance contributions
nave by no means been limited to quad
riennial offerings in the support OF the
tariff or of sound money They have gone
10 party managers, both national and state
In all sorts and conditions OF campaigns
According 10 good information the contrIbu-
lions have been regularly expected at AL
bany.
The two New York Life checks to Andrew
Hamilton, one for SIS 900 and one for s55-
Uto. are objects of much interest in the
investigation. Mr.. Hamilton's legal prac-
uce, on behalf OF the New York Life or
of private nature, keep him in Albany
In the winter season. The two checks are
dated in the last two weeks of March 1904
when the legislature Of that year was about
to adjourn.
Mr.. Hamilton is in Europe and the time
of his intended return is unknown. 1t is
certain. however that President Mccall or
the New York Life Will have an oppor-
tunity TO tell about the checks. He d d
not care to talk about them for publica-
ton today. sending out word TO reporters
that he would tell all when he is put on the
witness stand, and must be excused from
discussing matters before that time.
Perkins to Be Called Again.
Mr.. Hughes. counsel to the committed
is by no means through with George W.
Perkins of ]. p. Morgan & Co. and the
New York LIES finance committee AL
though Mr.. Perkins and the committee ap-
parently are unable to agree to the mo-
ment when Mr.. Perkins in the 10000 navi-
cation syndicate sale ceased TO act for the
New York Life and when he began TO act
as a Morgan partner. the inquiry into the
Joint account operation which Mr.. Perkins
conducted. or rather developed, is by no
means at an end.
Mr.. Perkins will be called again.
James II. Hyde, formerly vice president
OF the Equitable Life, has conveyed to the
committee indirectly notice OF his willing
ness to come back here to testify any time
the committee wants him.
The Notorious Insurance Lobby.
1t is a notorious fact that of all the lob
bies operated in Albany to influence legis-
laton the insurance lobby has been the
most effective. 1t has been well known,
both In and out of the Legislature, that any
bill affecting insurance companies unfavor-
ably, and which they opposed. had not the
remotest chance Of ever getting out OF
committee. Charges against the Insurance
lobby were not confined to the corridors;
they were openly made on the floor OF the
senate and the assembly.
While Andrew Hamilton has been known
as the head man for the New York Life in
Albany. he was rarely seen at the capitol.
The task of keeping In constant touch with
all legislation affecting in any way the
interests of the insurance companies was
intruSted to others.
Indeed, II seemed hardly necessary for the
New York Life or any other insurance COM
pany to have lobbyists at the capitol, their
interest being so carefully guarded at all
times by certain senators and members OF
the assembly. nevertheless, the companies
have maintained lobby.
Big Scandal Averted.
During the regular session a big insur-
ance scandal. involving some OF the men,
bers OF the legislature, was narrowly avert
ed. One Of the members Of the senate Is
responsible for the story that he was ap-
by fellow senator. who Informed
him that a combination of fourteen had
been effected "for the purpose OF putting
the fire insurance companies on the same
basis as the life insurance companies"
The senator who was approached knew
what that meant, and being an honest man.
he told his tempter what he thought about
him. That put an end to the fire insurance
combine" 1t is said. The members of 1t
did not try to do any business for fear OF
being exposed.
II the Insurance companies did pay out
any money to influence legislation at Al
bany In 1904, the probability is that they
paid much more in 1905. because the in
surance situation did not become acute
I'M til last winter.
SURPRISING THE DISEASE.