New-York tribune., 1906-05-04
A. C. FIELDS TO TESTIFY
WILL FACE GRAND JURY.
Not Yet Strong Enough for the
OrdeaJ-NeSC Trustees for Mutual.

Andrew c. Fields, the ANDY Hamilton Of the
Mutual Life. has made UP his mind TO go before
the special insurance grand jury to be empan-
elled next week and tell all, no matter whom It
involves. The fact that FIelds-the facts about
whose "Eouse OF NGirth'' in Albany, where hos
pitality was dispensed with lavish hand to
legislators, were among the revelations OF the
Armstrong committee-was going to give the
grand jury the benefit of his inside knowledge
Of the way things used to be done in the Mutual
Life, will be exceedingly unpleasant news to the
trustees and officials of that company. II is
said that he has about the same sort of ami
mostly to certain Of the trustees that Judge"
Hamilton expressed regarding some Of the trus-
tees Of the New York Life in his speech the
yellow dog" funds of the latter company.
When District Attorney Jerome learned thaS
his subpoena servers had failed to serve Mr..
Fields because the latter had gone to Ocean
Grove. out Of the jurisdiction. he called up
Henry P. velte, FTelds's counsel, and asked
him If some date could not be arranged for ATr.
Fields to testify before the special grand jury.
No reply has been given TO the District Attor-
ney, but Mr.. Velte and DR. c. II. Judson FAM
ily physician Of Mr.. Fields, have had several
cq4sultatlon with the latter in. Ocean ffrsszss
They have reached the conclusion that e 1Er.
Fields is strong enough to come 70 New York
and subject himself 70 the strain OF q Grand
do it. Mr.. Fields's counsel does not believe that
he has done anything which would result in his
Indictment IL the whole truth is told, and his
physician believes it would help him physically
to be relieved of the mental strain OF keeping
back what the District Attorney and the public
are anxious to know. Mr. Fields does not want
to be regarded fugitive from the state. 1t
is also said that he is restive under the appar-
ent attempt which has been made to cast upon
Richard A. McCurdy and Robert H McCurdy
most Of the blame for the work he did From
what he has said to his friends, certain other
trustees and officials Of the Mutual Life may be
shown to have been cognizant Of his acts and to
have sanctioned them.
When Mr.. Fields will appear before the grand
jury depends entirely upon his health. Mr..
velte said yesterday that probably he would
not be able to come next week. Possibly he
may be strong enough to come week after next,
added the lawyer. IF he went before the grand
jury now, he would collapse from the strain an6
excitement. When he does testify he will make
a clean breast Of everything He will tell the
truth, no matter whom it hurts. When say
that, want it understood that do not know
whom his testimony may hurt. We are waiting
for the word from DR.. Judson before setting
any definite time for the appearance Of Mr..
Fields
Asked if he had retained counsel to be asso-
c1ated with him in looking after the interests OF
Mr. Fields Mr.. Velte answered:
There is no reason why should look for
additional counsel at this time No indictment
has been found against Mr.. Fields"
Nominations for six of the eight vacancies in
the board Of trustees Of the Mutual Life were
made at a special meeting Of the board yester-
day afternoon. The new men will be elected
at another special meeting Monday. when the
new bylaws to conform to the Armstrong legis-
lation will be presented for adoption. The men
going into the board are: Hugo Barring, banker;
Louis Stern, merchant, and Charles S. Brown,
real estate dealer. all Of this city; Nathaniel
Thayer, fnancier, Of Boston; George p Miller
lawyer Of Milwaukee, and Leroy Springs. textile
manufacturer, Of Lancaster. s. c. They will I'LL
the vacancies caused by the retirement of Rich
ard A. McCurdy former president; Robert A
Granniss and DR.. Walter R. Gillette, former
vice-presidents: Robert H. AIcCurdy, Stuyvesant
Fish, Dudley Olcott and James speyer.
A half dozen men are under consideration for
the two remaining vacancies caused by the re-
tirenent of Efingham B. Morris, Of PhiadeI-
phia. and Elbr!dge T. Gerry. which will be filed
next month. 1t thought that Joseph H.
Choate would be nominated for Tusteeship'
but he stopped the consideration OF his name
by saying that he did not think 1t wise for him
70 enter the board while he was engaged in prob
ing the former administration as special counsel
for the TruesdaIe investigating committee. Mr..
Springs was recommended for the board by the
policyholders' committee OF South Carolina
When President Peabody was asked yesterday
about the suggestion that the membership OF
the hoard be reduced from thirty-six to twenty
four. he replied that it could be brought about
only by a change in the charter by the Legis-
lature.
In order to stop the generalization OF It's
agency force by designations and by reason OF
the difficulties met by the agents In getting
Continued ON eighth page.