New-York tribune., 1910-01-23
FOR A SANATORIUM
GIFT TO NET. LIFE.
architects of Tolcer Hon0red
at q Dinner.

Two men, about to retire from the prac-
tice of their profession. who had designed
and supervised the building of one of the
worlds great structures quailed last night
before the task of speaking TO a thousand
cheering insurance men who had gathered
at the Metropolitan Life Insurance Com
pany's dinner in the Hotel Astor to do
them honor.
John r. Hegeman. president OF the com
pany. had just announced the gift 10 the
company of a. ninety-acre site. within hfty
miles of New York. and 100000 in cash for
the erection of a tuberculosis sanatoriun
for the eompanys employees. all from a
giver who imposed only the condition OF
Withholding his name
He turned then to the two men at his
right and presented TO Pierre l. and
Michel NJ. lie Brun silver replica of tho
Metropolitan tower. with a miniature
working model of the clock and chimes.
and the big crowd of Metropolitan agents
and their friends stood up and applauded
the two quiet brothers who had created
the tower which, the president said, typi-
fled the Metropolitan" spirit.
The two architects looked at the model
tower. smiled. looked at each other and
at the crowd. and then Pierre hastily
scribbled a brief note TO the toastmaster.
Mr.. Heseman.
My brother and 7 regret that we cam
not address you. and we thank you sim
cerely." said the note. and the two broth
ers smiled quietly while the toastmaster
read their little speech.
Some persons have told me that Wilbur
and Orville Wright are very quiet men,"
said one OF the diners in front of the lie
Brun brothers. but I doubt IL that can
be. baa c1fatr
mixed up in conquering the air. TOO.
though in a different way from the
Wrights There must be something IN the
air.
air. Hegeman reviewed the history of the
Metropolitan company. whose growth and
success he attributed equally TO inherent
virtue and 10 state supervision. The pres
ent State Department of Insurance, he said.
was the best insurance department any
state had ever had
He commended Superintendent William
RI. Hotchkiss especially. and prOphesied
that the diners would see him eventually
| a Governor of the State of New York
The gift of site and money to build
the proposed tuberculosis sanatoriunl. Mr.
Hegeman said, had been made by man
who had purposed u be at the banquet.
but who was unavoidably detained by ILL.,
ness. The proffer had first been made be-
cause of the legal difficulties apparently in
the way of construction by the company.
but when that situation adjusted sat
isfactoriIy recently the siver repeated his
offer. with the admonition. Build yours.
and build this one also You can use them
both
Mayor GaynoT and Superintendent Hotch-
kiss were among the prospective speakers
who were unable to be present. and Alfred
Hurrell, counsel to the Insurance Depart
ment of the state, appeared to represent
/ his chief.
| Mr. Hotchkiss sent telegram, regret
/ ting that the Peoples Mutual case detained
/ him in Syracuse
Commander Peary and General Thomas
l H. Hubbard were among the guests The
/ North Pole hero made a brief address.
If the Creator had only seen ut 10 make
| the North Pole as conspicuous as the Met
/ ropolitan tower" he said, my task would
| have been easy
| He assured the insurance agents that
| there was no business for them in that re-
/ glOn.