New-York tribune., 1907-01-29
WRANGLE OYER BALLOTS.
Neso York Life Counting Begins
The Question of Watchers.

The counting OF ballots for trustee. was be-
gun in earnest at the New York Life Insurance
Company's offices yesterday, but not until after
the inspectors Of election had been In Wrangles
with George r. Scrugham, manager Of the in
ternational pOlicyholders' committee, and had
spent hours in argument among themselves. The
first wrangle began at 10 a. m, when Mr.. Scrug-
ham objected 70 placing the watchers for the
committee on high stools behind the enumsra-
tors who were to count the ballots.
'Do you expect the International policyhold-
ers committee to supply telescopes for it's
watchers?" Mr. Scrugham asked
The sarcasm was lost on the inspectors. who
said the plan OF letting the watchers occupy
stools in the rear OF the enumerators had been
suggested by Robert Seiden Huse but there had
not been any decision 10 whether the plan
was the best enc. Mr.. Euss who Is one Of the
inspectors said he had suggested the use OF high
stools. because the watchers must not be al
lowed 70 touch the ballots.
Mr.. Scrugham said the watchers would be OF
no service unless they could examine the ballots.
beside the enumeratOrs and handle the ballots
II necessary in examination OF them.
MI huse asserted that the watchers must not
De allowed 20 sit near enough to the table to
touch the ballots. The other Inspector seemed
inclined 10 support him.
Then Wen call halt said MT. Scrughau.
He withdrew the committees watchers and
dared the inspectors 10 go on with the count
without watchers. Tho inspectors went into a
conference and argued together until 2:SO o. m
when they announced their decision that the
watchers could sit at the table and sxamins the
ballots
When the first ballot was examined Mr. Scruz-
ham challenged Il on account Of alleged irregu-
larity. It was administration ballot which
had been prepared in part by one OF the COM
panys agents Mr.. Scrugham insisted that a
record be made OF the challenge. The tnspec-
tors refused, and that caused another argument
which lasted until about D. m. In the end the
inspectors yielded again. agreeing with the as
sertion OF Mr. ScrughRm that there would be
no use In making challenges II there was no
record
Between and D. m. several hundred ballots
were counted. The inspectors expect TO make
more rapid progress to-day.
At the count OF ballots IN the Offices OF the
Mutual Life Insurance Company W. II. Woot-
ten head watcher for the administration ticket
made protest because the International policy
holders committee had not provided FIVE addi-
tional watchers. as had been done by the ad-
mintstratio1. to permit fve additional enumera-
tors 10 be set at work. Seven enuIneratOrs at
tended by watchers have been counting ballots
az the rate OF about ten thousand a day re-
Gently, and Alexander r McKim the chairman
OF the inspectors wanted TO hasten the count
By agreement with Mr. Scrugham, Mr.. McKIm
set the five additional enumeratOrs to work at
tended only by administration watchers IN the
afternoon. They counted only ballots which had
been received through the international policy
holders committee. and Mr.. Scrugham said he
not going 20 challenge any Of those bal
lots or hire watchers to watch them counted.