The Washington times., 1906-05-09
BIG EXPOSURE IN
INSURANCE CASES
Jerome Has Obtained Much
Vital Information.
VOUCHERS WERE CREATED
Confessions Obtained From Andy Fields
and Member of Lawrence & Co. May
Lead to Indictment of McCurdys.

NEW YORK, May s-District At
torney Jerome IS about ready TO spring
a sensation in the life insurance cases.
This move of his, when thoroughly ex-
plotted, Wilt induce many of his parti-
sans to say he has made good,' and
will throw such light upon the methods
of the Mutual Life that the sinuous do
ings of certain gentlemen in high
finance will be for the time forgotten.
The chief yellow dogs" that may be
indicted are Richard a. McCurdy and
his son, Robert H. McCurdy. both in
Europe; although it is not improbable
that Mr. Jerome may further enhance
his fame by obtaining indictments
against one former high official of the
Mutual Life now In this city, and
against one of the present board OF di-
rectorS
A clean breast has been made to the
grand jury in reference to the supply
department Of the Mutual Life during
the administration of the McCurdys and
their associates, Robert A Grannis.
Robert Olyphant, and Frederick Crom-
well.
New Story of Graft.
Among the witnesses examined by
the special grand jury are Isaac +.
Lloyd. third vice president of the Mu-
tual. and Edward r. Rogers, a member
OF the firm of Lawrence & Co, sta
toners
Edward r. Rogers, before the special
grand Jury on last Tuesday knew a
great deal more about the underground
connection between Lawrence & Co.
and the Mutual Life than he did when
he appeared as an unsatisfactory wit
ness before Mr. Hughes. the announce
ment then being that certain records
OF the Mutual Life could not be found.
There was surprise expressed yesterday
wnen II became known that these men
had told everything that could throw
light upon the scandals IN the Mutual
Life. and there were rumors in the cor
ridor of the criminal courts building
late in the day that in the case of Mr..
Rogers District Attorney Jerome had
made ten strike by guaranteeing 10
Lawrence & Co. immunity from punish
ment.
This could not be confirmed, but in
view of the fact that Andrew Fields also
IS 10 testify IL may be accepted as proof
that the fraudulent vouchers. and in
some cases the forged vouchers, which
helped to swell the supply and stationery
in any prosecution of Lawrence & Co
or of Andy" Fields. These men are
evidently witnesses for the people.
Disclosures Before Grand Jury.
The special grand jury learned that
some persons in the Mutual Life. finding
that disclosures might come through the
legislative investigation, changed GER
tain vouchers. created other vouchers
falsified records, forged orders from the
supply department and finished theiI
deviltry by sending books OF the Mutual
Life into a safe asylum in the State of
New Jersey.
While there was juggling with the
money in McCurdy's own department
the methods used when a big bunch of
greenbacks was necessary was to have
fraudulent orders drawn IN the supply
department, vouchers put in TO prove
that the supplies had been furnished by
Lawrence e. Co, and then the policy
holders cash was taken on treasury
orders, distributed 70 certain men car
ried on the payroll and the remainder
sent in care of Fields to Albany to be
there paid out to the leaders Of certain
political organizations or to members
of the Legislature. II may not be said
here how much Fields obtained in five
years in this way, acting as the agent
of men higher up. The figure is not far
short OF $40. 900, and to destroy all rec
ord of this the account books were
spirited away and false vouchers for
supplies made out