New-York tribune., 1906-10-31
JEROME TO ACT TO-DAY
MUTUAL CASES PENDING
District attorney May Move Co
ercion Charges in Police Court.

District Attorney Jerome expects to make a def
inite move to-day in his investigation of coercion
charges against the Mutual Life Tribune re-
porter learned last night Mr.. Jerome either can
begin proceedings through the grand Jury be-
fore police magistrate. In view. however. of the
fact that only few days intervene between now
and the elections. and that Immediately after tho
grand jury viii! be engrossed with other affairs. it
is considered probable that any action Mr. Jerome
may take will be before a police magistrate
Should Mr.. Jerome take this course, it is believed
tnat not only the ex-oficio members of the agency
committee believed TO be directly responsible for
the alleged fragrant coercion ukase agents but
the entire committee, including H. H Rogers
William H Truesdale and Julien T. Davies, will be
required to appear in court, either by summons to
make affidavit or by means of warrants.
Should Mr. Jerome announce his expected action
to-day, it is understood that Thomas R. and Her
bert N Fell. former managers of this city: Colonel
Biscoe Hndman. former manager for Kentucky,
and F. o. Paige. former manager for Detroit, will
he asked to make dispositions in court. James Nc
Keen, the company's general solicitor who was
Charles E Hughes's associate in the Armstrong
investigation, had long conference with Mr..
Jerome late in the afternoon. apropos of the
coercion charges against the company. Neither
Mr.. Jerome Mr.. McKeen would discuss the con-
ference Rumors reached Mutual Life officials
earlier In the afternoon that Commissioner Pre-
witt, OF Kentucky, dissatisfied with President Pea
bodys explanation Of Colonel Hindmans dismis-
sal. had decided TO revoke the company's charter
in the Blue Grass State. A representative OF the
Attorney Generals Office of Western state. the
reporter learned had been in the city this week
examining the coercion afidavits now in Mr.
Jerone's hands, with a view TO beginning proceed
ings against the company in his own state.
Having gone thus far in the investigation. 1t is
not believed that Mr.. Jerome will now withdraw
Samuel Untermyer, the international committee 8
counsel sent letter TO Otto Kelsey, State Super
intcndent of Insurance. yesterday, protesting
against alleged electioneering advances 10 agents
of both the Mutual and New York Life. George
R. Scrugham, the committees manager. declared
that Mutual Life agents were offering to policy
holders who refused vote the administration
ticket on the official statement small Joker"
ballot representing it the "policyholders'
ticket
Said Mr.. Scrugham
This ballot contains two "admnstrat ton nom:-
nees but in violation Of the law, there Is nothing
on th= ballot to indicate that their names con-
points to the names OF the four International
mtteemen "conscripted' on the ticket in support
policyholders' ticket" and unless the prospective
familiar with the opposition tickets, he be-
heves in signing this that he is voting against the
administration"
agents become. that one OF them sought yesterday
by this method obtain the vote of a clerk en-
ployed in Mr.. Untermyer's office.
Mr Scrugham said that Mr.. Untermyer had told
Superintendent Kelsey that he proposed TO enter a
protest against the counting Of these Joker bal
lots. on the ground that they We're illegal
eIIduiS CI'c CCILPT'iIS h.SP tteitc
them in an envelope similar TO the official but
distinctly lighter in color.
has offered TO cooperate with Mr. Jerome in his
investigation