The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-11-05
URGE JEROME 70 ACT.
Mutual P~Oiicyholders' Committee Talks
OF Prosecutions.

Russell W. Fish. secretary of the Mutual
Life Policyholders' Association. made public
last night n report he had made TO the
members of the executive committee of
the organization relative TO criminal pro-
ceedings that had been contemplated against
President Charles A. Peabody Linz others
in the Mutual.
Mr.. Jerome recently had before him
James McIsen. the general counsel for
the Mutual Life. This was after the Mutual
Life ~Policyholders' Associations men and
fusion ticket, had placed before Mr.. Jerome
afidavits made by I. Reid Fell and Edward
o. Sutton. general agents TOR the Mutual,
who said they had been dismissed for not
working for the administration ticket.
Mr.. Fish's report to the executive COM
mittee of the policvholders' association
says:
Promptly after Che cOmpany's methods
and the plan to coerCe It's employees toward
support OF it's "adninistr atiOn' ticket were
su omitted to our counsel. Mr.. Maru'r, he
ADVISE US that Presilan Peabody and the
other officials aui trustees concerned were
civilly and criminIlly liable. and he advised
that we prepare Tor civli prosecution. holding
the criminal proceeding In reserve. although
in the latter our case was more clear and less
prep ration nseded.
In this, after fuil consideration. Judge
Herriok fully agreed: except that. expressing
special confidence in the District Attorney Of
this county. lie advised submission OF the case
to Mr.. Jerome, which was made Thursday.
October IS. ia the hope that his prompt action
might not merely secure punishment of those
who hal m san nile so hrut tally treated their
most faithful agents. but also deter them
from continuing such criminal acts in their
canvass for reelection.
We have not forgotten and our counsel
have constantly reminded the District At
toruey OF the importance Of promptness In
order to prevent crime as well as to punish
IL and thus be Of practical aid In the present
canvass. The witnesses being clients OF Mr..
Bard. counsel for the promoters OF the selected
fusion ticket movement. we have not been in
a position to do more than furnish the Dis
rrict Attorney with their names and addresses
and their aflda wits. lea wing him 70 confer with
MT. Bard az to their productions; but we are
entirely satisfied that the witnesses In oues-
ton. as well a. their counsel. Mr.. Bard. have
been ready and willing TO meet the District
Attorneys suggestions and have In fact COM
Piled with all that have been made.
Under the circumstances We cannot con-
hdently promise. Our hope vas that by
pros scution OF Mr.. Pes5oi " AMI others tat
least the mem bers of the agency comnitteeb
their cvi1 INT con solracy might be punished
as well ~ each held liable and punished tor
his nets in and toward the coercion practised
which by New York Law Ia made a criminal
offence. Serious as has been the delay Of
over two weeks. and rapidly az is dwindling the
chance OF thwarting the intended effect OF
the coercion In question. We still hope for
action against Messrs. Peabody. Rogers AMI
others before the time has passed during
which IL can be Of aid to polioyholders in
defeat Of the scheme in which these crimes
have been committed.