New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-12-05
1TARTINAZZI IS THE, WINE OF THE ARISTOCRAT.
vi Imported sold honestly by Potenza. PSI Grand

Eldridge before the legislative investigation COM
mittee yesterday it appeared that $500 was paid
to Paterson for the withdrawal Of certain suits
against the company and its officers. Eldridge de-
cIared that the company had dropped several civil
suits the understanding that Paterson was 10
cease his attacks against the company
Declaring that he never would have settled his
suits for anything like 5000 had he not believed
the Mutual Reserve would go to pieces before he
received anything Mr. Paterson denied that he
had given any promise to let up on the company
in the columns of THE Insurance Counselor
which ne then published in any other publica-
ton He characterized the criminal and civil suits
which the company and its officers brought against
him bluffs and in tull accord with the general
policy of the company. He said that he had not
yet been called before the insurance committee, but
that willing TO testify at any time and that
he believed he could give evidence which would
prevent a whtewash Of the company He con-
tinued
It was the custom of the Mutual Reserve when
any one criticised the company or its management.
to bring suits for SANDER The news Of the bring
papers and policyholders were given to understand
that the G2mPany was being Of e
j. D. Wells third vice president of the company,
effort to have the Irregularities of the
remsdied. For a time he was successful, and even
got so far with his reform that President Burnham
entered into agreement with him 10 resign at
the annual meeting in January 1900 At this time
dissatisfied policyholders were circulating petition
asking the Attorney General to bring about MS
eTen Went 50 ne far Paa t choice Of
cessor in the person of General Thomas L James
rope at the time, and cable message seat
him asking if he would take the presidency. He
Before the time Of the election however Mr..
of SIS 900 through Philadelphia lawyer. The DAY
before the annual meeting Burnham went 70
WeIls's office and told him that the insurance on
of conflict between Mutual Reserve ofRcias He
asked that Wells give him a letter stating thai
do. Burnham then intimated that Weiss re-eee-
ton as director OF the company was IN ms nanqs
likely fail of reelection. Wells still refused 70
He then resigned as third Vice prSsdent and sew
cred his connection with the company. Later ne
alleging most deplorable state Of affairs. He vas
sued for 5000 damages for SANDER for GsTan
but the suits were dropped after time
Counsellor and felt that it was my duty to keep
up the agitation for change of management
lished the article which brought about the suits
referred to in Mr.. EIdridge's testimony to-day
Two weeks after the publication of this article
civil suits brought against Paterson by the
Mutual Reserve Fund Life Association for $5l"S
and by President Frederick A Burnham for Ike
amount. little later Vice-President Eldridgs
also sued for $4,000 Paterson continued:
A year after the civil suits were filed the charge
Of criminal libel vas brought AGAINST me Harlem Es
police court. After three days the hearing was
dismissed. Three weeks later attempt 70 To-, r.
open the case was dismissed. then brought three
suits for false arrest against the company bul.s
ham and Edridge. for $4,000 each Later the gIaIii
jury found Indictment against me for erlilH0-
libel -.
For month two nothing was heard If0lH
either criminal civh suits Then my at.9[He'to
Baldwin & White. approached with view D. -
settlement. In consideration of the MUTUAL -
serve Company paying 5000 IN cash I eOA
sented to withdraw my suits for false TSISsi5on
paid with a check drawn by James SnTiSs s5
Elkus. made payable to Baldwin & Nhite II - ~
believed that the company was about 20 81 s,r,
pieces would not have settled for 50 slilaii -its
ii long before became apparent tnat tiT Ttn,IIs-
pure bluffs There was absolutely no .orn-
ton as to my right to further criticse the conF
pany.