New-York tribune., 1906-09-26
MUTUAL MEN DROPPED.
f. O. Paige and II. n. Fell Won't
Support administrator Ticket.

The Mutual LIES agency committee dlsnlsseu
Manager F O. Paige. Of Detroit, Mlch-' ana
Herbert " Fell branch manager. Of No $50
broadway. yesterday.
Mr. Paige made public last night his letter 20
President Pea body, dated September "A N
which he declines 10 obey the agency commit
tees instructions 10 assist the success Of the
administration" ticket, 70 refuse to serve II
elected on the third ticket. Should they fail in
the mean time 10 declare for the 'admmistra-
tion" ticket F. O. sutten. the company's general
manager at Springfield Mass; Biscoe Hindman
OF Louisville, KY. and at least one other man
ger viii meet the same fate at special meet
ing Of the agency committee, which has been
called for Friday.
At to-day's meeting of the Mutual Life's board
Of trustees a strong protest will be made, It is
said, against the agency committees attempts
10 coerce the agency force into working for the
administration ticket. In several quarters
there are indications that many agents as well
ss many influential policyholders, are up in arms
AGAINST the agency committees methods, and
only await a favorable opportunity 10 give
forcible expression Of their views. Mr Paige
said last night that he visited President Pea
body at his Office. and in reply to his inquiry
as TO Mr. Paiges attitude toward the admin
istration" ticket handed TO Mr.. Peabody letter
which follows, in part:
I shall continue to remain loyal to my appoint
Ynent and manage the company's business IN my
territory to the best of my ability. 1t is my IN
tention to take absolutely no part IN the cam
raign for votes and in no way instruct or try TO
5nfiuence the agents under me. believing this 10
be the only course in harmony with the law
as recently enacted upon recommendation OF the
Armstrong investigation committee, and trust
same win meet with your approval
Mr. Peabody then asked Mr.. Paige to declare
that not only was Mr. Paiges nomination on the
third ticket without Mr.. Paige's knowledge or
consent but that If elected. Mr.. Paige would
decline to serve on the ticket.
Mr. Paige reiterated that he had neither
known of nor consented to his nomination. He
stated frankly however. that If elected he
should not feel at liberty to decline the honor,
and therefore refused 10 pledge himself not 10
serve on the ticket If successful.
Mr.. Peabody replied by saying that the COM
pany's action. in view OF Mr.. Paiges attitude,
rested not with Mr.. Peabody but with the agency
committee adding that far the speaker
personally was concerned. he would be glad to
have Mr. Paigs any board OF which he was a
member.
George T Dexter. after announcing the agency
committees Cancellation Of contracts" with
Messrs. Paige and Fell. added: The company
has good reason to question the loyalty and
support of any manager or agent in its euploy.''
George r. Sc,ugham, the international COM
nlittees manager. has arranged with Insurance
Superintendent Kelsey 10 take charge of or su-
pervise the ballots received by the Mutual Life
and New York Life
According 10 the statement Of a well known
out-of-town manager. SO per cent Of the Mutual
LIES agency force in his state would vote for
the third ticker did they not fear reprisals by
the company.
II is declared that in the list Of unfit" Mutual
Life trustees, which Mr.. Dexter left il is al
legged IN Bernard F. Bakers care. query mark
only appears opposite the name of II. H Rogers.
According TO a statement issued by Herbert
y. Fell late last night, both President Peabody
and Nice-President McClintock approved with
out qualification Mr.. Felrs reply 10 a British
policyholder on April II. in which Mr. Fell
stated that he expected the majority Of the old
trustees would not seek reelection, but would
be glad 10 divest themselves Of a "responsibility
they did not think they We're assuming when
:hey allowed the use % their names"
Ny. Fell continues that in further support Of
my statement that Mr.. Peabody approved Of
my attitude toward the McCurdy trustees al
that time" President Peabody wrote a letter to
him (Which he quotes), con2rat tulating Mr. Fell
winning the $1,000 prize in the contest OF
greater New York managers paid up busi-
ness in 1865"
A. his interview with President Peabody yes
terday Mr.. Fell told him he had decided to sup
port the third ticket