The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-11-24
There was not that | know Of"

iIlc CIc!IiIIlt3lI I'll tI6 oupCl lhIO1AuCuL
- insurance. so far as you know"
Il dent think they had n influence
80 far as | know"
lave you V been asked, Senator,
on behalf of the insurance companies
to intervene in their favor by reason
Of such contributions"
Never in the world"
In connection with matters Of leg!s-
!atiOn of the insurance Department.
Never in the world"
AT ali in connection with matters
OF legislation?'
They have never asked me in the
world"
And you have never done anything
OF the kind?"
Il have not"
The Senator expressed the opinion
that life insurance companies were JUS
rilied in making campaign contrtbu-
lions. while the gold issue was at STAKE.
He did not care TO pass upon the justi-
iication of the companies in giving
money for state campaigns.
What advantage could they get by
so contributing?" asked Mr.. Hughes.
They got it through me as being
connected with the state committee
They would suppose l would be very
likely to defend them at times when it
was necessary; I never had occasion
to do it."
Have they ever requested your
support in any natter"
They never have"
Il understood you to say they would
expect you would support Ordefend;
now what class Of possibilities had you
in mind in saving that: To see that
the legislature did not enact leglsla-
ton which they thought hostile to pol
icy hoiGers?"
That IS about what it would amounr
to-
How could you control that situa-
ton p
. L could not control it."
Through the disposition of the mon
e!a IN the election OF legislators?'
oh / could not say that
Isn't that the way it really come
about, Senator, that the use of th7s2
contributions in the election CT candl-
dates o office luis the candidates more
Or less under a moral obligation no.
10 attack the interest supporting
tlem?"
That is what naturally would be in
yolved.'
Isn't that really what is involved?"
II should think so"
Gage E. Tarbell. the second vice
president Of the Equitable Life, was
also a witness again today. He con-
tinued MS explanation of the agency
system Of which he had charge, ana
the manner Of arriving at the comclis-
siOns. He detailed q history Of the
agencies Of insurance companies, and
his own efforts 10 reduce the cost OF
getting business.
During his testimony Mr.. Tarbell
made a very extensive explanation Of
the good that insurance companies
have done and the difficulties under
which the work is carried on.
One part of his testimony caused
much amusement to the committee as
well as the spectators, when he Ge,
scribed Il fight with the New York Lie
over the taking of agents. In :his
statement Mr.. Tarbell told how he won
Over a general agent and two hundred
sub-agents of the New York Life III
this city, without the cost to the Equit.
able of so much as one dollar. The
only inducement offered was that the
agents could make more on a cOmm.'-
sion basis than Mnder the salary Of the
New York Life. Mr.. Tarbell detailed
this deal with the agents in its various
and said that he closed the deal
on a Sunday. He thought it was Il good
job and it was cone on a good day.
Mr.. Tarbells testimony was inter-
lupted again during the afternoon ses-
sion, and A~ssemblyman James. K. Ap-|
gar. of West Chester, was called. His
card with the inscription, MIR. Hyde
says to pay him." was attached ID a
voucher for $1,000 which the EquCit2-
BILE paid Thomas D. Hustled, and the
vouncher bore Husted's endorsement.
Mr.. Apgar knew absolutely nothing
about the money nor did he know how |
card came to be used for such a
purpose. nor had he ever heard of any |
money being paid by the Equitable or
one else. He knew Fields, but never
knew of his receiving money for politi-
purposes. Fields was politically |
active in West Chester, where he also
lived, Mr.. Apgar said. and generally |
elected any one he set out to elect. Mr.. |
had talked with Fields at Alba
ny while a member of the insurance
but rever on any matters in |
legislature to which Fields was OPP
posed. He had also called on Fields |
in the house maintained by
1t was expected today that the dero-
sition of George H. Squire, the for
mer financial manager of the Equitable
Life would be read for the record, tut
Mr.. Hughes explained that the slb-
had not completed the ex-
of Mr.. Squire because it had
to be taken in parts, Mr.. Squire being
TOO feeble to stand any lengthy CONVEX
The deposition will, there
fore. be read when it is completed