The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-09-26
MORE MUTUAL
AGENTS ARE GUT
OFF BY MANAGERS

New York. Sept 26-Two more Mutual
Life agency managers, Frederick o. Paige
CT Detroit and Herbert n. Fell OF this
city. were disrniste ed yesterday because
they refused TO pledge their allegiance 10
the administration ticket Before MI.
Pages head was Topped off. though. he
IianGged 10 put the Peabody adminfstra-
ton pretty definitely on record as TO the
real purpose OF the dismissals.
Mr. Paige's friends contended that IL
was all campaign move 10 coerce INC
agents into supporting the administration
ticket. which iroludes many OF the Ola
McCurdy trustees.
Mr.. Paige wrote a letter 10 President
Eenbc dy I'm watch he promised TO re
main loyal TO his appointment as an
agency manager and conduct the busi-
ness or the company without taking any
part I'm campaign for votes, but Mr.
Peabody demanded further that Mr.. Paige
nleGge himself not 10 serve as trustee
OF the Mutual or the third or fusion
ticket in the event OF its success. This
pledge Mr.. Paige refused TO give and
tho agercy committee OF the boa q OF
trustees thereupon cut him out
The company grievance against Mr.. Fell
was that he refused TO sign resolution
adopted recently at meeting OF man
aSers I'm this City. That resolution ex-
pressed confidcncc I'm the Peabody adj
mimstration and pledged the support OF
the managers 10 the administration ticket.
Mr.. Fell visited MI. Peabodys office this
morning in response to a summons and
refused again 10 give a pledge. His head
dropped a little later when the matter
was reported 10 the agency committee.
Felrs brother, r. Reid Fell, president OF
the Life Underwriters association, who
was named for trustee on the united
ticket as well as on the fusion ticket
was dismissed from the company's SER
vice abOUt n week ago. He also was Il
manager in this city.
Boscoe Erdman, the Mutuals mansger
1T Ioutsy ille Ky. who was named along
with False on the fusion ticket. has a
lease on his job until next Friday.
T.. G.. Sutton, manager at Springfield
Mass, is another big agent who has been
called TO the home offices and VIII be
asked to press himself by next Friday.
His father, George VI. Sutton. Is one Of
the proXy committee named for the third
or fusion ticket.
George T. Dexter In announcing the dis
mssals yesterday added: THE company
has no good reason 10 question the loyalty
ana support OF any manager or agent In
It's employ"
Notwithstanding this statement. persons
familiar With the affains of the agency
force declared that the Mutual admins
tration is row facing a very serious situa-
tlon. There is no longer any doubt, II
was said. that there will be a good-sized
revolt among the agents, many OF whom
arc Crposed to the reelection OF the old
McCurdy trustees. who have been named
on the administration ticket. A surprise
is being cooked up for the Peabody man
agemcnt by men from the agency force
working IN cooperation with policyhold-
ers.
with its agency force crippled the Mu-
tiars administration ticket would be n
bad way. for IL Is depending upon the
men in the field TO turn in proxies enough
10 outvote the opposition. The fact that
such drastic measures are being taken
Is regarded in insurance circles as a
pretty sure indication that the men in
control regard the situation as crucial