Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1905-10-17

II decline to discuss the question, q"
witness said.
DO You know
y decline to discuss the question
DO You refuse to answer the ques-
tion?"
u decline TO discuss the question, |
have preferred you a witness whose
business it Is to know all OF these facts
you are looking for
Other letters from policyholders Were
read 10 Mr.. McCurly showing a grad.
ual reduction Of dividends and he re-.
piled that probably the decrease was
due to the approach Of the maturity of
the policy Questioned further TO eX.
plain what he meant he again refused
TO discuss the question"
CHAIRMAN ASKED QUESTION.
Chairman Armstrong then asked tho
witness what relation the approach
Of the maturity Of the policy had to It's
earning capacity and witness refused
TO be drawn into a discussion
Chairman Armstrong then said he did
not think Nh McCurdy cOmprehended
the scope Of the committee ana that II
the committee desired his Judgment OF
the insurance business the witness
should De glad to give II.
Mr. McCurdy again preferred his ac-
tuary 20 furnish the information de.
sired, lie protested so strongly against
the manner I'm which the investigation
was being conducted that Chairman
Armstrong asked how he would con-
duct H.
- don't know | don't impugn the
motives Of this committee, Of which you
are the worthy chairman
WOULD LIKE TO KNOW BETTER
WAY,
If there is a better way OF conduct
ing this investigation, M McCurdy,"
said Chairman Armstrong 1--WE would
be most happy to learn IT,"
Senator Tully asked the witness II
he thought the committee was too thor
ough IN the investigation ana the wit
ness replied that he did not
Mr. McCurdy said he thought that
putting a witness under oath and maxi
ing him teel that he Is on the rack is
apt TO produce Incorrect answers. His
answers, he said. were published In a
distorted mancr that looked like an at
tempt to ruin him
why shouldn't witness shut his
mouth up he continued when
witness comes here and tells frankly
an that he knows, the committee should
consider such testimony i'm executive
session to see what further stems
should be- taken but 10 attempt 10 drag
from a witness anything further than
he knows makes him look well Ike a
criminal
Recurring to the question Of reduc-
tion Of dividends, witness again de-
clined to give direct answer,
FIGURES DON'T LIE.
Figures cont lie. but liars can fig
ure,' was Mr.. McCurdy's reply after
Mr.. Hughes had read a long list of
policy numbers, with the amount they
were taken out for, the amount paid
IN and the dividends received by the
policyholders. Mr. McCurdy continues
you have a right TO get your case In
your own way. Mir Hughes, | have not
followed the figures. There are too
many for anybody to follow. ] have no
doubt that all those statements ana
figures Can'be explained by the proper
persons | do not attribute any lie TO
anybody I say II faCetously."
well, let's see what you do TO re-
duce expenses of your company Do
you reduce salaries?" said Mr.. Hughes
We'll, er'--here there was great
laughter
you are entitled to that laugh" he
said,
Let me see how can answer that?"
Mr. Hughes then brought out that
had been slightly reduced IN
the reforms Of clerical force and gem
eral agencies.
SALARIES NONE TOO FAT.
81 have not reduced the salaries Of
the executive officers, they were never
cut They were none TOO fat anyway"
said Mr.. McCurdy