The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-04-28
new INSURANCE INDICTMENTS.
GRAND JURY FINDS FOR PERJURY
AGAINST W. A. BREWER, JR.

LuG WAN ~ he HlouuCu UOWh-SuUs
pena Out for Fields n Others Con.
cerned in the MutuaTs "HOuSe OF Mirth."
The April Grand Jury practically finished
Yesterday it's investigation OF the former
management Of the Washington Life In
surance Company by filing ar indictment
for perjury against William A. Brewer,
Jr., who was its president until the CON.
pany was reorganizsd. Two more in
diotments again It Bre Se., for grand larceny
and forgery, will be fled by the Grand Jury
on Monday.
Through an arrangement between the
District Attorney and William Rand, Jr.,
Mr. Jerome's former chief assistant, who
Is counsel for Brewer, Brewer will not be
arraigned until the other two indictments
are fled. There was some talk that Brewers
son, Graham Brewer, who was vice-presi-
dent Of the company, might also be indicted,
but it Is understood that his father took the
entire responsibility for, any wrongdoing,
Il there was n.y., and that the Grand Jury
refused to take any action against Graham
Brewer.
The indictments against Brewer grow
out of a report made to the State Insurance
Department in 1908. 1t is charged that
1900 odd policies were reported as having
lapeed, when as q matter Of fact they were
In existence and reinstated on the books
Of the company within a few days after
the report was made. The policies footed
up to 100000 and the report showed a sur
plus Of 500 900, when really there was q
deficit Of $50 900. II is also charged that the
company lost money, a surplus Of moro
than 500, 900 being wiped out in five years.
but during that time the aggregate salaries
Of the two Brewers was about $45 900.
An investigation by the State Insurance
Department showed a state Of affairs that
warranted an investigation by the District
Attorney. The officials Of the company
we're severally oensured. but Supt. Hen
bricks said that IL properly r~eorganized
the interests Of the p~olioyholders could be
saved. This was done through the inter
vention Of Thomas F. Ryan and others.
It is understood that the Grand Jury's
Investigation bore out in every way the
charges Of Encouragement. It Is under
stood that books we're doctored, %accounts
juggled and real estate held by the COM
pauy appraised far beyond its real value.
The indictments are said to be unusually
technical, as a great number Of policies
which we're reported as lapsed were ex-
amined.
With the completion Of the Washington
Life investigation the District Attorneys
Office is now ready to 60 into a general
investigation Of insurance affairs, especially
the more startling disclosures brought out
by the Armstrong investigating committee.
It was learned yesterday that one Of the
first witnesses to be called before the special
Grand Jury which will be sworn in in May
TO handle nothing but insurance cases will
be Andrew Fields.
A subpoena has been issued for Fields.
1t is known that at least two county detec-
tives lave been hovering.around his country
home at Dobbs Ferry. Subpanas are out
for otbar men who were associated with
Fields in his connection with the Mutual
Life Insurance Company as it's legislative
agent and, head Of the purchase and supply
department. The evidence brought out at
the Armstrong investigation, as well as
other evidence obtained by the District
Attorney, will be used against Fields.
It. il kuo wn that several subp onas we're
sen to Albany yesterday, either for mem
bers OF the Legislature OF for forme legis-
Iators. The witnesses are wanted to testify
to certain things hat went on at the House
Of Mirth.' -.
Subpoena servers from the District At
torney'e office were around the Mutual
Life Building and at Dobbs Ferry yester-
dav. At least two employees of the pur-
chase and supply department Of the Mutual
were served with -subpqras yesterday.
Il, was said that some subprnas were not
eerved. One man served was VIM. NJ. Car
penter. a clerk in the supply department.
Detectives who went TO Dobbs Ferry
were not so successful. One of them had
a subpoena for Louis F. Murray. He found
that Murray went to Boston on Thursday
"on business,"
Before the Armstrong committee went
into session an effort was made to sub
prna Murray, He was o counsel or
Dobbs Ferry and one of Fields's friends.
Murray kept out of the way while the Arm
strong committee was in session, but re-
appeared in Dobbs Ferry after the COM
mittee adjourned. When h. returned to
Dobbs Ferry his Job as town counsel was
gone. Now he has. escaped Mr.. jerome,
at least for the time being.
Murray, according to testimony at the
Armstrong committee, signed vouchers
for Fields. It wae believed that the money
went 10 the House of Mirth." but no one
YES able to find Out what services he rem
tered TO the Mutual
Herbert Jewell and John Cunningha m
rere subpnnaed at Dobbs Ferry. Cum
hineham vas superintendent OF Fields.s
livery sta BILE at Dobbs Ferry before Fields
got him d job ae exs miner in the State
Insurance Department. More recently he
has been a clerk in the office Of the Superin-
tendent OF Insurance in this city. It is
not known that he signed any vouchers
Fields is ea!d to be .m.New jersey, where
subpoena from this county would not b
effective. 1t is understood, however, that
District Attorney Jerome has an agree
ment with FIELDS counsel to produce hin
when he is wanted.
District AttofneylJerome vent to Lake
vile yesterday afternoon. taking with him
lot of the evit'e ice Of the Armstrong COM
nittee. Much of this evidence has already
been gone over by Assistant District Attor-
neye Mott and Ereeel. Next week Mr.. Mott
and Mr.. Kresel will do nothing but look
after the insurance investigation.
They will have charge of the work next
month also. Their work has been ham,
rerad souewhat because Of the invuSti-