gize for the scandals which have filled the newspapers for the last six months or a year it will cost every member of this association thousands of dollars before he is through with it. We shall be false to our natural responsibility if we keep still. This is not a time for us to keep still. We have been an association, as Mr. Plummer said, for sixteen years. For the first time in sixteen years during the life of this association, there comes a great crisis in our business. It is not a time to keep still. It is a time to speak fairly, dispassionately, reasonably, but in no uncertain voice.

Now, next: Is it profitable to us agents that we should go before the country with a statement that we condemn false methods in life insurance; that we are in favor of having this investigation pushed to its completion; and that we are in favor of the removal of every man who has betrayed his trust? That is all there is to this resolution. I say, is it profitable to us agents that we should say that? Upon that I should like to ask every agent here one simple question. What are your commissions on the business you do not write? Do you want to go back to your home and meet the men who constitute your natural clientage, and stand before them as in any sense an apologist for that which has filled the newspapers of the land for the last six months? I say that financially we cannot afford to do such a thing. We are loyal to our company; but more than that, gentlemen, even we recognize that we depend for our business, we depend for our living, we depend for all that we are striving for, upon a public sentiment in our favor, a public sentiment that has confidence in us, and if we fail now to take the proper position we shall lose that confidence, and it will be years before we possess it again.

Now, finally, gentlemen, what is the politic thing for this convention to do? Now, I always believe in calling a spade a spade, and I always believe in telling people frankly and fairly just exactly what we propose to do. It is the fairest, the kindest and the best way in the long run. I wish to say to the gentlemen of the convention that some such statement as that which has been offered by resolution will be sent out to the public signed by a large number of the members of the convention, unless

the convention adopt some reasonable resolution. Now, don't understand me as making that as a threat. That is simply exercising our prerogative as an individual. We abide by the decision of the convention. If you don't want to pass it, all right. I simply want you to understand that will not quiet us; that some such resolution as that is going to the world, and is going to be signed by the names of those men who are in favor of that principle. Fairness and frankness are best in the long run, and I say to you in all fairness and frankness that the men I represent will not stand for Hyde dinners before the public; they will not stand for blind loans; they will not stand for midnight transfers of securities. Now, when you vote, vote understandingly; that is all. This thing is going out, and it is going out signed by the men who believe in this sort of thing. We would much rather have it done by the convention. We think it is the wise thing, the politic thing, the manly thing for us insurance men to do, and do it as an organized body. But, gentlemen, please understand, that we who come before you with this proposition come before you as a matter of conviction. We believe in it; we shall stand by it, and whatever you do we shall take our bark to the highest promontory of the beach and wait for the rising of the tide. [Applause.]

Mr. Raleigh here attempted to gain the recognition of the Chair.

Major Kendall-Mr. President. I move that when a vote is taken upon this resolution or report of the executive committee that it be an aye and nay vote by roll call. These gentlemen, then, can put themselves upon record and they won't have to send this endorsement of their honesty to the world to show the world that they don't stand for these things. Thank God, I haven't got to sign anything to convince the people of my city that I don't stand for graft. [Tremendous applause.]

Mr. Scott-As this is provoking and will provoke much discussion, and as we have nothing very special on hand for tomorrow morning and have yet the nominating committee to select, and as we have an automobile ride to take this afternoon, and they are waiting for us now,

I move that further consideration of this subject be postponed until tomorrow morning.

Cries of "No, no," and "Question."

Mr. Scott-Mr. Chairman, I say that unless a vote is taken immediately.

President Dolph-If you will permit me just to make a statement. The gentleman upon the platform (Mr. Raleigh of St. Louis) says he will take a few minutes, and he knows there are a few other members who desire to speak to this proposition. Now, if it is your wish to hear these gentlemen, we ought in all fairness to the local associations to proceed almost at once, or at least as soon as we can dispose of the selection of the nominating committee, to enjoy our ride, because I understand that there are at least fifty of the leading citizens of Hartford waiting for us, and it is not courteous to them to delay.

Cries of "Postpone it; postpone it."

President Dolph-A motion is made that we postpone further consideration of this question until tomorrow morning.

Cries of "Qestion, question."

Mr. Cochran-I move we adjourn.

President Dolph-Oh, no, we have the nominating committee. The question is whether we shall continue the discussion of the present subject or postpone it. Those who desire to postpone it until tomorrow morning will say aye. Those opposed no.

A viva voce vote having been taken the Chair declared the ayes had it.

President Dolph-I suggest we take it up very early tomorrow morning.

The roll was then called and the following gentlemen were selected to form the nominating committee:

Baltimore-Matthew S. Brenan.

Birmingham-W. J. Cameron.

Boston-Louis L. Hopkins.

Chicago-Danford M. Baker.

Cincinnati-Collin Ford.

Cleveland-Q. W. Carpenter.
Connecticut-L. C. Slayton.

Georgia-J. R. Nutting.
Indiana-E. G. Ritchie.
North Indiana-C. W. Orr.
Iowa-Elmer Dwiggins.
Louisville-J. M. Johnson.

Maine-J. Putnam Stevens.

Central Massachusetts-Dana M. Dustan.
Western Massachusetts-George P. Mitchell.
Michigan-Col. Will A. Waite.
Minneapolis-C. W. VanTuyl.
New Hampshire-A. W. Childs.
Nebraska-A. Ray Edmiston.
New Jersey-C. L. Whitfield.
New York-P. H. Farley.

Central New York-E R. Putnam.
Western New York-W. G. Justice.
North Carolina-J. D. Boushall.
Peoria, Ill-George L. Root.
Philadelphia-J. Edward Durham.
Pittsburg-W. M. Wood.

St. Louis-William H. Herrick.
Syracuse, N. Y.-C. H. Tennant.

Virginia-N. D. Sills.

On motion the convention then adjourned until Thursday morning.

THIRD DAY'S PROCEEDINGS.

The last session of the convention was called to order by President Dolph on Friday at 9:50 a. m.

President Dolph-Ladies and Gentlemen, the first business before the convention this morning is the adoption of the report of the executive committee.

Mr. Van Tuyl-I understand that a motion for the adoption of the report of the executive committee has been made and seconded. I now take great pleasure in again seconding the motion to adopt that report, as another resolution will be offered, which has the approval of the executive committee, and will, I believe, be satisfactory to every member of this convention, and will, I hope, be unanimously adopted by this body. [Applause.]

President Dolph-Gentlemen, you all understand the question. All in favor will signify by saying aye.

Amid great applause the motion was unanimously adopted.

Mr. William C. Johnson-Gentlemen, we are gathered here not as agents of individual companies, but as workers in the business of life insurance; gathered from al

most every state in the union; representing in a sense the people of the various states, who have been induced to take their insurance largely through the efforts of the managing agents of the life insurance companies. I think this gathering should have something to say for the business of life insurance, and I shall beg to offer the following resolution:

Whereas, At the present time the attention of the public is directed to evils recently disclosed in the business, to the extent that the long record of faithful handling of the funds

of policyholders in the American life insurance companies is in danger of being overlooked; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the National Association of Life Underwriters records the fact that the funds of the policyholders in the life insurance companies of America have, during the past half century, been administered with a fidelity, integrity and ability which recent events have but served to emphasize [applause]; and, be it further

Resolved, That for the best interests of the policyholders and the companies, both of which in a special sense are committed to us, this association suggests full and free publicity concerning all the operations of the life insurance companies, as best calculated to minimize future opportunities of evil and to retain the confidence of the people in the best and what will surely grow to be the greatest system of organized beneficence in the world-the business of life insurance.

Mr. Chairman, I beg to present the immediate considration of this resolution.

Mr. Scott-I move that the customary course of referring to the executive committee be dispensed with, and that this association at once proceed to the consideration of the resolution.

Mr. Johnson-I accept the suggestion.