The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1906-05-25

It appears that the Armstrong committee did not
squeeze the Insurance situation quite dry OF sensa-
tion. Representative Gouiden. OF New York, told
the House committee judiciary yesterday that the
New York state senators shired literally In the lis
bursements made by certain insurance officials for
political purposes.
why" he is reported as saying. 'it was a we'll
conceded fact that TO be a senator at Albany was
worth anywhere from $4,000 to 100000 year. and
that the money came largely from insurance com.
panes. This is no secret Every New York man
knows #. know It. I know II wens
Mr.. Goulden. who is the New York state general
agent OF the Penn Mutual Life should have given his
testimony before the Armstrong committee. 1t is
well when we are compelled to cut out sore. to
be sure that cutting ont all Of It, matter
how unpleasant the operation may be. Having made
this statement K Is up to him to make public all ne
knows .4ad get down TO specific Instances
Mr.. Condon makes another ctarge which is de
serving OF further investigation Touching the
subject OF campaign contributions" says the Associ
ated Press, "Mn GouldeE SAYS that his ccmrany had
been coerced into giving $4,000 to national cam
paign committee in 1896, and remarked that the
same thing was tried in 1900 and 1854 but without
success owing to the firm stand taken by Mr..
Plimpton Ma sachusets, Of the directors, who
declared that eve, director who voted for such con.
trbutions would be held personally liable for the
amount
It will he noticed that the representative saye
coERCED This was not voluntary contribution.
Ana the came game was tried again four and eight
years later but owing to the sturdy stand taken by
Director Plimpton the game defeated in the
latter years we should like to know who it that
swung the big stick successfully, and twice un-
successfully In 1904 Did Mr.. Cortelyou, for in.
stance know that any attempts being made
AT coercion2
Coercion is a very ugly word What the
threat madeg What was the alternative. if the com
pany refu-ed to ZONE across with the subscription
md who was it that was be entrusted with putting
tue threat into effect?
II the example set by Mr.. Plimpton had appealed
more forcibly to the directors OF three four big
New York companies there would have been very
little scandal in insurance circles II appears, il Mr.
Gouldens statements are to be relied on, that th'
officials of some of the companies worked vel
with the politicians that cert1in of the politician
believed that they could hold mp any company; bu
the admirable Mr. Plimpton refused 70 allow hi
policy holders to be victimized He had entirel.
different viewpoint from The directors who argued
and stii argue. that SO long as the money Of thu
policy holders was contributed TO the holy cause o
retaining in power that noblest work OF the Almighty
the Rerlhncsn party, It was all right to donate it.
The public should like to hear the specific detail
from Mr. Gouden He has said too much not to a.
more What New York state senators made $4,000
a year; who paid It; whose money was Il paid GU
of and for exactly what services was II paid? VIII
coerced his company in 1895; and for what can
paign fund? What politicians tried it again in 1870
and 1904 and what the club with which thes
politicians tried to victimze the Penn Mutual Lie
We have heard a great many nauseating thing
about insurance and such revelations are not plea
ant But they are necessary if all the sores are
/, be cut out OF the national body.
-oOo-
The Oklahoma city TimesJoumal has raised Tn