New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-27
LAWSON OFFERS AID.
Letters to armstrong. Governors
Committees and Policyhofders.

Boston, Feb. 26--In series of communica-
tions issued tonight. Thomas w. Lawson. OF
this city who for several months has been active
in securing proxies from policyholders In leading
life insurance companies, states that he is ready
and willing to do all In his power to aid in the
passage of the laws recommended by the Arm
strong Investigating Committee. Mr.. Lawson
issued three letters one addressed TO the Arm
strong committee, another to the so-called COM
mttee of Governors, to whom he has turned
over all insurance proxies that he has thus far
obtained. and a third to the polieyholders them
selves. In a communication to the Armstrong
committee. Mr.. Lawson says in part:
On behalf Of scores OF thousands of policy
holders of the New-York and Mutual Life In
surance companies, would respectfully submit:
At an expense of hundreds of thousands of dol
lars. I have collected sufficient proxies from
control at the coming election of both the New
York and Mutual companies. l have turned
these over to committee composed of Gov
errors of States and equally representative pub
lie men.
My reason for collecting such proxies: had
reason to believe the policyholders of these two
companies have been plundered of from S175.-
100000 to S250OOO00- which can be recovered,
provided these companies are placed In the
hands of honest. fearless men. believe that
If these companies are placed in the hands OF
such men. some of the richest and best known
plundered the people for quarter of a century
past will be sent TO Sttltes prison for Ions terms
Mr.. Lawson Informs the investigating COM
Mittee that he has closely followed it's entire
work He adds:
While I knew IL has accomplished much
also knosv from personal knowledge it has not
exposed or touched upon a single foundation
eVll or exposed or even placed upon the witness
stand a single one of the head criminals re-
sponsible for the evil From personal knowI-
edge, know the pOlicyholders cannot come into
their be insured against the total de-
Struct1on of their companies. and the loss, in
whole or in part. of the funds which have In
the past years been. grated from them, unless
their companies are taken out of the hands of
the men who have either looted them or stood
by while they We're being looted.
In a letter TO the Governors committee MIR
Lawson advises it to assure the New-York legts-
lature that the committee approves Of the new
election law proposed by the Armstrong COM
mittee He urges the Governors committee to
do all in its power to assist in the passage Of
the law. Mr. Lawson advises the Governors
committee. in the event of the passage of the
proposed law, to nominate a board of trustees
"as near ideal in it's composition as your hon.
esty. fearlessness and ability can formulate"
In third communication. addressed TO the
policyhold of the New-York and Mutual Life
Companies. who have sent him their proxies. Mr.
Lawson explained the situation and urged them
to do all in their power to aid in the passage of
the law in regard to the conduct of the annual
election. He says:
The most effective work you can do is to cause
your Governors. State Commissioners and differ
ent committees to serve notice upon the New
York and Mutual that if they oppose the passage
of the law they will be debarred from doing
business in your State.