The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-05-26
MORTON SAYS RYAN
is NOT IN POLITICS
His Virginia Citizenshipis
Merely a Matter Of
Sentiment.
HEAD EQUITABLE
TALKS FRAN KLY
In Speech at the Jefferson Hotel
He Tells OF the Prosperity
OF His Company, and
Says That the Day
of Graft Is
Over.

l)Ncr.
ITO the hest of my knowledge
and belief MIR. Thomas f. Ryan has
no political aspirations whatever.
I believe his moving his cItizen-
ship to yirr!nin to he "a matter OF
sentiment with him. and to have
no political Significance whatever,
PAUL MORTON
President OF the Equitable Life
Assurance Society.
Hon. Paul Morton. president OF the
Equitable Life Assurance Society,
spent yesterday in Richmond in coma
pany with Mr., George T. Wilson. sec
ond vice. president of the society, as
the guest of Mr.. William A. Danner.
agent for Virginia and North Caro-
lima.
Mr. Morton reached Richmond about
IL o'clock. and went at once to the
cfflces of the company, at Twelfth and
Main Streets. where he held an In
formal reception meeting large num-
her of the policy holders of the CONE
pany who called to be introduced to
the president.
Mr.. Morton is man of fine appear
ance. evidently in the prime of health,
and while he has the reputation OF
being one OF the hardest workers in
New York, 1t does not seem to tell on
him He engaged in interesting con-
versation with all who called. and to
the newspaper men was frank and
cordial 10 an unusual degree.
Mr.. Morton said that he was not
inclined to discuss political conditions
except In a general way, as in the
past year he had not taken an active
part In politics. having given his whole
time to studying the problems of life
Insurance. Mr.. Morton who Is close
associate of Mr.. Thomas T. Ryan in
the control of the Equitable, stated
that to the best of his knowledge and
belief Mr. Ryan had no political in
tenttons or aspirations. Mr.. Morton
stated that he understood Mr.. Ryan
4 was coming to Virginia to-day to look
over the Improvements at his country
! place in Nelson county. s.Tie Is very
much interested in his Virginia farm.
II believe his moving his citizenship
to Virginia to be a matter of senri-
nent with him. and to have no political
significance whatever"
Mr.. Morton went on to talk of gem
eral political conditions in the country,
promising by saying that he was not
closely in touch with political condi-
tions and could not speak with aus
thority.
Southern President.
Politically, l have nothing to say,
except that l frequently hear well-
| informed men ask the question. why 1t
is that the Southern States that are
always united on election day, should
not get together in the Democratic
National Convention and name good
Southerner for It's candidate. am
sure the former feeling that Southern
man stood no show for either nomina-
tion or election has entirely disap-
peared. and that Senator Daniel. of
Virginia: Justice White. of Louisiana:
Judge Gray, of Delaware or senator
culberson, of Texas. would be regard-
I ed as candidates any good Democrat
| could enthusiastically support
II am here" continued Mr.. Morton.
with our vice-president. Mr.. Wilson.
to meet the Virginia and North Caro-
lima agents of the Equitable Life Sos
ciety.
bclieveitis is the first time the pres
ident of the society has had the honor
and pleasure of being in Richmond. We
appreciate the business we are doing
in this State and l want TO personally
assure all policyholders that the affairs
of the Equitable are now being admin.
! istered solely with an eye single to
| their interests. Expenses are being
reduced. income is being increased. and
| in every way better insurance practice
Is being promoted.
"The investigation now going on by
| District Attorney Jerome and the
grand jury In New York pertains only
to the old administration and in no
way applies to the present management
/ There has been an entire change OF
officers and the society is now COM
i plying In every respect to the reform
] law introduced by Governor Hughes
and enacted by the New York Legis-.
lature. Owing to the great publicity
| which has been given to lie insurance
the last two years people now under-
stand ITS benefits better than ever, and
the wonderful financial strength OF the
4 Equitable and other companies, Which
/ has been emphasized by the various
/ |inyestiCations, has educated the pub
lic TO believe In their security. Where
our agents ara we'll organized they res
port Equitable policies easier TO sell
| than ever before"
launched At Jefferson.
i At o'clock handsome luncheon
was served at the Jefferson Hotel In
horor of President Morton and Vice
| President Wilson, az which We're pres
/ ent some twenty or thirty agents of the
| company in Virginia and North Caro-
| lima. Lunch was served IN one OF the
private dining-rooms of the Jefferson.
After cigars were passed Mr.. Danner
called for order and formally intro-
duced to the company President Nor
! ten who made a short address to the
agents which was we'll received. Mr..
Morton told of the work OF reorgani2-
ing the company under its new Off
\ GERS, and brought out the fact that
over six and one-half million dollars
OF the company's surplus was invested
in Virginia, the Equitable having
more money invested ir Virginia than
air other life companies in the coun-
try combined Mr. Morton said that
this should fully rAfute tho appeal TO
| Invest in home companies, which keeps
! the money at home As to the Invests
cations goingt on, Mr. Morton said that
Y Tic nnIlln: ny womb NYhlcnmh all lngi-