The Washington times., 1906-03-09
INSURANCE HOSTS
FIGHTING REFORM
Woodruff Opens Battle on
Floor at Albany.
PRESIDENTS TO SPEAK, TOO
Paul Morton Begins by Assuring Arm
strong Commission of His Belief
in Its Fairness.
PRESIDENTS TO SPEAK, TOO

Albany. n Y. March 9-The stars
! of the insurance world clustered .AickIy
about the State capitol today 10 on
pose the remedial Insurance bills that
the famous Armstrong Investigation
committee framed and wishes made into
law as a result of lis inquisition
Paul Morton. president OF the Equi-
table; c. F. Peabody. OF the Mutual;
Alexander r. Orr. Of the New York
Life. and former Lieut.. Gov Timothy
J.. Woodruff, representing his own COM
Dany. the PTOvident Life and all the
others beside. came TO Albany last night
| and upon the floor Of the assembly to-
day told the legislative committees why
most of the ten bills should not pass.
Agents FoTesee Ruin.
| In their wake were a hundred man
ayers and actuaries and as many more
agents. most OF whom viii never get
a chance 10 tell their troubles. but
who came on in the vague hope that
| their presence might help the situation
and save them from ruin"
Timothy L. Woodruff, brilliant as n
financial and political tactician. and
known TO all men as one of the foremost
Republicans OF New York, vas the IN
animous choice Of the Big three" presi-
dents as director of the association. Be
I fore the hearing Mr.. Woodruff. Mr.. orr
and Mr.. Peabody put their heads to-
gether ana outlined a plan of procedure
and argument intended not only "a nnt
the opponents OF the bills in the best
possible light, but to expedite matters as
well.
It was arranged that the .sbie three"
presidents should be heard among the
! nfst, ana mat TO cllnch their arguments
they should be followed by the three
great actuarIes, j. G. VanCise of the
| Equitable; Emory McClintock, Of The
Mutual, and Rufus W Weeks az fbe
New York Life. The smaller companies.
S9eh as Mr; Woodruffs and the Home
/ Life nave also leagued TO battle against
the bills, and they selected George r
ide, or the Home Life. 10 plead in their
If these bills. limiting the ex,o,.os
and business OF insurance conpaDies are
TO pass, they VIII put thousands of skin
ed men out Of business" declared the
So they have banded together also
ana Mr.. Woodruff arranced that VII
| nam 3 Johnson should represent them
In the argument.
In Crowded Chamber.
The hearing was held in the assembly,
chamber. which cannot begin to hold
the crowds that have thronged the can
ltoi TO listen TO the final word before
the insurance investigating commission
shall lay down the work that has al
ready wrought such sensational results
Ranged side by side. in the lever
tier o. seats, facing the wall of the
assembly, sit the members of the Arm
strong investigating commission and
the members of the regular insurance
committee Of both houses. The 15o
desks of assemblymen are reserved for
insurance men who speak and other
prominent insurance -uen who ofticfauv
represent various companies or ins,,r-
ance associations. The general u1IhIic
Is permitted to listen from behind the
railing at the rear of the room
According. TO the customs of legis
latlve hearings, The opponents of The
bills were heard fi~st and cautioned
! that each argument must be as hrief
as possible Mr.. Woodruff held q watcb
upon each insurance man who arose to
speak. ~
We would like to be able 10 finish
this hearing today" he said IF / can
hold my speakers TO their time agree
, ments, the insurance companies side of
this case Will be N by o'clock to-
night.
Bills Found Objectionable.
These are the ten bills framed bv tbe
Armstrong committee, which have
called forth the opposition at the hear
ing;
!. Make ii a misdeneanor for ins1lr
ance companies or their officers either
to give or receive political eontribu-
tions.
q Taking away from the su-
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