Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-30
NAY STOP THE COUNT
Trouble IN New York Over the
New York Insurance Matter.
MUTUAL TO FIGHT REFORM
International Committee Calls the
Present System q Farce.
s., 900, 600 ALREADY BEEN SPENT
Vice President Dexter Says II VIII
Oppose in Committee Bills Ini-
mical to the Companies
MUTUAL TO FIGHT REFORM
LOCO, 900 ALREADY BEEN SPENT

NEW YORK. January 30-It was learned
last night that In the next few days steps
will be taken by the international policy
| holders committee to stop the present sys-
| tenn Of counting the votes In the New York
Life. cast in the election Of December 18.
The progress Of the canvass has been grow
ing more and more unsatisfactory to the
policyholders. Yesterday a member char
acterized the present proceedings as "a
farce"
Supt. Kelsey Of the state insurance de-
partment 10 coming to this city today. This
10 contrary to his custom, as he usually
comes here only on Saturdays. It Is under
stood that his visit may be accompanied
by some developments. How many votes
the New York Life inspectors have put
which il only preliminary to the actual
count, was not announced last night.
Vice president Dexter Of the Mutual Life
Insurance Company said yesterday that his
company would Examine carefully all
measures introduced In the legislature on
behalf Of the International committee seek
ing to improve the method Of conducting
elections. 1t would not hesitate to oppose
in committee. he said, any bills that 1t did
not consider to the best interests OF the In
surance companies.
No Objection to Albany BILL
Mr.. Dexter said that he had no objec-
| ton to the bill introduced at Albany pro-
viding for more general publication OF
election expenses. .his bill Is not
backed by the International committee
The bills that the committe will seek to
| have put through and about which Samuel
Untermyer, its counsel, saw Gov. Hughes
recently, are intended to put a stop to
some Of the practices which the companies
and their agents introduced in the cam
npn nj I'll t. ~ o~k~
Of the committee and Insurance superin-
tendents outside Of New York.
Mr.. Dexter said yesterday that he was
not looking forward to any such struggle
one. He predicted that next fall not more
than $1,000 votes would be cast at the
| outside and that the policyholders IN gen.
eral would take little interest In the
| matter.
Has Spent 1000, 600.
1.-THE International committee" said Mr..
Dexter. has spent 81 100000 in this cam
paign and it isn't going to duplicate that
next year. The committee has had counsel
| in half a dozen states and they haven't
| been low priced lawyers, either. 1t has
sent out at least ten appeals to the policy
holders. which have cost large sums The
hackers OF the committee will hardly go
to this extent In another campaign, and ]
doubt therefore IL the occasion will be
presented Tor the passage Of such legis-
lation as we hear the committee seeks to
have enacted"
When George r. scrugham, manager OF
the International committee, heard of Mr.
Dexter's statement he declared that in the
first place there would be as much money
| available another year for an insurance
campaign as there was this year, and,
furthermore, that Mr.. Dexter was mistaken
In his figures.
"All Of the lawyers for the committee"
said Mr.. Scrugham, served without COM
pensation. Our entire legal expenses in
the campaign were just $35. These ex-
penses were in connection with the appoint
ment of referee In the Farrelly suit. Mr..
Dexter Is also misinformed as to the num-
Der Of circulars the committee sent out
There were three sets altogether. The COM
mittee Is not surprised that the Mutual
will fight any bills for the safeguarding of
the elections. 1t would be surprised IL
either the Mutual or the New York Life al
lowed any such bills to go through except
! in the face of the most severe opposition
that could be put up.