The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-12-27
IS NOW
WILLING To GET
AFTER PEABODY

New York, Dec. 2T-District Attorney
Jerome has written a letter To former
Supreme Court Justice D-Cady Herrick
OF counsel for the Mutual Life Policy
holders association. stating he is now
willing to take up the matters concerning
charges against President Peabody OF the
Mutual Life Insurance company OF CO.
ercion I'm connection with the election OF
trustees OF that company.
These charges were brought 10 the at
tention of the district attorney some time
ago by Mr. Herrick. Mr. Jerome refused
to act on them at the time on the ground
that he did not want his office used 20
Influence the election OF trustees In the
Mutual Life" He stated TO Mr.. Herrick
at the time that he would not proceed I'm
the matter until after Dec. IS, which was
the last day for the receiving OF votes.
The announcement was made today by
the Mutual Life Policyholders associa-
tion that on Dec. ls Mr.. jerome wrote
Judge Herrick offering TO cooperate with
the association in regard TO these charges
The letter OF the district attorney was
referred by Judge Herrick 10 John De-
witt Warner, chief counsel for the Poll
cyholders' association, who In turn hand
Ell il over TO Russell w. Fish. secretary
os the association.
Mr.. Fish In a communication to John
Dewitt Warner sets forth the attitude
of the association regarding Mr.. Jerome's
determination 10 take up the matter now.
Mr.. Fish writes:
"As the attitude OF this association In
bringing this charge against Mr.. Peabody
I'm October. our purpose was TO prevent
the continuing crime OF coercion OF en-
ployes I'm behalf OF the administration
a. han 10 vi a
punishment OF a completed crime after
the criminal had prohted to the full there
by.
while the punishment OF the crime is
important, and the association trusts that
the district attorney will take up the mat
ter vigorously nevertheless, i'm view of
the fact that the election is over and-by
Mr.. Jeromes acquiescence-Mr. Peabody
and his fellow lawbreakers have already
reaped the fruits of their illegal actions,
so that our interest is only that OF all
citizens, we feel that any criminal action
to be taken al this time is the concern
OF the district attorney as such. rather
tha nours The witnesses I'm this matter
were as the district attorney is aware.
clients OF Albert s. Bard who will no
doubt arrange To produce them at Mr.. Je-
rome's request
1--WE think they will be easily available
IL convinced that Mr.. Jerome means bus-
ness"
The witnesses referred to were Herbert
n. and T. Reid Fell OF this city, Ed
ward O. Sutton of Springfield. Mass, and
Fred o. Paige OF Detroit. Mich.
The grand jury held special session
yesterday to continue its investigation OF
the New York Life insurance company,
which was begun last week. District At
torney Jerome spent some time In sum-
ming up before the grand jury, II is said
the facts developed during the insurance
investigation. but he declined 10 say any
thing for publication
Late in the afternoon Lewis A. Della
field personal counsel for George w Per-
kins appeared at the district attorneys
office and talked with Mr. Jerome. He
declined TO discuss his visit. Several
bookkeepers of the New York Life In
surance company have been subpoened to
give evidence in connection with the in
formation brought out i'm the examina-
tions OF George w. Perkins, Edmund u.
Randolph. treasurer OF the company: his
chief clerk, NJ NJ. Matlson. Alexander
Webb. Jr., j. Carroll Root. Woodbury. c.
Lsngdon G. A. Morrison and others.
There was some discussion in the dis
tiict attorneys office yesterday In regard
TO the published statement that IL the
grand jury did not take action during
the present week that the statute of
limitations might be invoked i'm the cases
This contention Is not supported by Mr.
Jerome
During the afternoon they examined
two clerks of the New York Life Insur-
ance company and another clerk who is
said to have been connected with the
stock transaction. At the close Of the
examination. the investigation, as far as
District Attorney Jerome was concerned
vas ended and he left the room The
grand jury. however. remained In ses-
sion for some time and probably will
sit again today.
After session last two hours. tho
directors OF the Mutual Reserve Life In
surance company yesterday reelected
Frederick A. Burnham president and
George D. Eldridge vice president of the
company. Nine Of the u directors were
Sresent, and the vote on the election OF
Burnham and Eldridge Is reported 10
have been very close. None OF the direc-
tcrs would discuss the meeting.
George w Harper. son OF a former
president Of the company, was not re-
elected treasurer Both Mr.. Burnham
and Mr. Eldrdge are under Indictment
on charges connected with their admins
tration OF the company's affairs.