New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-19

ance. Thus in thirteen years he had risen from
clerkship 10 the highest place IN the department.
Governor HILL who succeeded Governor Cleveland.
offered Mr.. Mccall a reappointment, but he de-
cined il 10 accept the controllershp OF the Equi-
table Life Assurance Society.
When in February. 1892. William H. Beers presi-
dent OF the New-York Life Insurance Company,
resigned. John A. Mccall was chosen to I'LL the
vacancy. His election hailed with delight by
the financial world. for the company was IN an en-
barrassed condition that time and il thought
that the president would be able 10 restore It
its former solid basis. Soon after his election
the company issued policy which contained no re-
stTictions whatsoever as TO occupation. residence
travel, habits Of life, or manner OF death. Under
his administration the business OF the company IN
creased, until 1t now ranks among the six largest
companies OF the world.
Late in the month Of September 1905 the Legis-
lative Investigating Committee focused its search
light the New-York Life Insurance Company,
and John A Mccall. as president of the company.
had the centre OF the stage. What disclosed
IN his testimony revelation 10 the public
While in the witness chair, Mr.. Mccall told how
the NewYork Life paid hundreds Of thousands Of
dollars 10 legislative agent 10 stop hostile legts-
lation by dealing with the best fellow he could
find 10 produce results II also disclosed that
the New-York Life made big contributions 10 the
national political campaigns. and that in one case
a had retained a legislative agent fight federal
legislation at Washington. Mr.. Mccall testified TO
receiving 100000 year his salary.
On January g. the trustees Of the New-York Life
net and unanimously accepted the resignation Of
John A Mccall az president OF the company. Alex
ander Z. Orr was elected TO succeed him. The
salary was cut TO $4,000 from the $4,000 that Mr..
Mccall received. In his letter OF resignation Mr..
Mccall said that he had always striyen TO protect
the best interests Of the pOiCyhoders and that no
Officer or trustee of the company had profited i'm
one dollar at the expense OF the policyhoders
In the latter part Of November. 1895, Mr. Mccall
pledged himself 10 make good any money he had
paid Andrew Hamilton which the latter could not
account FOR OF would not refund Hamilton rem
dered accounting in December which was not
sattsfaotory TO The trustees Mr. Mccall then made
a TaA rlent of $4,000. in fulhment OF lis pledge
IN order make this payment Mr. Mccall was
forced 10 mortgage his home at Long Branch
Last month Ii rumoTed that Mr.. Mccall had
sold his house He also sold all his city car
riaees and horses.
Shortly after his resignation as president Of the
New-Gork Life, Mr.. Mccall taken i'll with
Lakewood X. J.. whore he remained for several
weeks il a vain endeaVOr 10 recover his health.
Besides his interests in the New-YoTk Life In
Eurance Company AIr. Mccall a trustee OF the
New-Hork Surety and Trust Company. the Ma
tional City and Central National banks. a director
OF the lngersol-S Sergeant Drill Company and the
Munich Reinsurance Company.
Mr. Mccall married Mary Ignatus. daughter OF
John Aaron, of Albany, in 1870. They had seven
Shiloren-lNe sons ana two daughters. Besides
his summer home at Long Branch. Mr.. Mccall had
city home No 81 West -2d-st
Colonial Catholic, Merchants. Manhattan New
York Athletic and National Arts clubs OF the
Chamber OF Commerce the Albany Society ana the
Metropolitan Museum OF Art.