New-York tribune., 1906-06-04
DISPUTE OVER LISTS
Mutual PoEcyholders' Association
Fails to Get Them.
From The Tribune Bureau.I

Washington June "A dispute has arisen be-
tween the Mutual Life policyholders' association
and the Mutual company over the names and ad-
dresses of the half million more members who
will have votes at the next annual election The
policyholders' association. of which B. n. Baker,
of Baltimore is president, wishes TO obtain the
correct list from President Charles a. Peabody, lin
order TO confer with them In the preparation of
ticket as shall best serve their interests Mr..
Peabody in refusing the lists. told Mr.. Baker that
he was much interested in the welfare of the
policyholders as was the poloyhoders' associa-
tion's chairman and he added that many of the
policyholders themselves objected TO having their
names made public.
1T is very plain" said Mr.. Baker to-day, that
the home company is not going to let us get at the
policyhOlders without a fight. II is ridiculous to
say that any the policyholders object to having
their printed for it is not at all necessary
to publish of their policies and nothing
of a confidential nature would therefore be di-
vulged."
Mr.. Bakers letter asking for the lists follows:
May 10. 1896
To the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New
York, Charles a. Peabody, president, Mutual
Life Building, No 81 Nassau street. New York
Gentlemen: The Mutual Life policyholders' as
sociation. general organization of your policy
holders in our company in preparation Of such a
ticket for election at the next annual meeting as
large proportion of the half million or more such
no aGaros @ OF % SeS ntT LT Ire SASeP sGG
may furnish. requests. as early as may be- ad-
fed by general locality and in case all cannot be
once given us by states or other localities,
promptly as you may he able to furnish them
IN this are so far from wishing or expecting
any exclusive favor that, should you Prefer,
should be glad at once to put at the disposal of all
policyholders in the company-whether of our asso-
citation or not-the lists furnished us.
As to the expense. We suggest that the company
itself should defr;y that of the preparation of
crate charge 10 p%ocyhoders % who might ask there
fIr to furnish
force, which, with hut little aid from your regular
That we have not earlier asked this has hsen
from eur expect;atio9ni until Lately that fun ad-
by tune l5. which would have been practically In
time fer the prompt use we Intended But the ad
in the closing hours of Legislature cor.lnes ms
9%sd 93s Yahe ia he plans 5m aa hs to be
property in your possession-can be promptly had
ceive the data reqlested. and what, ii any. aid we
can render lT IN the premises, ,rsI 2f, ,,,.,,.
CIATloN B =. haker, Chairman Executive
Committee.
Mr. Peabody replied follows:
B. n Baker President Is, T, & G. CO. Baitimore
Dear Sir: I have received your letter CT MN 10
for list OF The names and addresses OF the poeV
holders OF ihs company, classified by general 10
The company is engaged and has been for
some ,e pes Jt IN tb The O., such st
TeeF4S PIfd an t on I'M, hs sHbieGt 3nd W take
ms 9ed By the aue tnGt nG T WITH hh'e s gen oTe es
work upon II, to make such a list as will com
ply with the EI~. large part of the material
necessary tor the purpose Is even in this cuIn-
Try and viii not be hcte for some time / do no,
believe lhht you nave any appreciation Of the
amount Of labor involved in complying with the
law, IN We" or the system which the neces-
sary information has been heretosnra ksnt tn ~
practice of the company. f' III NV
For these compliance with ,,,,,r -
quest Is present impossible W." ''N' i'-
1 appreciate hlfhly your expression of opinion
polcyholders should be my first consitara,.tat' 'ng
Ehn add thaf moi heir
interests must also he matter OF con sida~.,tI
me You doubt aware (for N A. 1.lOn M
commonly known that the publication os snoh SrS
formation you ask. although II is ciaimsd ~, IN IN
in the interest of the policyhoders and NAV he