I knew, when I began my story, that the big life-insurance companies were in the hands of grafters and thieves, just as are the great banks, trust companies, railroad companies, and big corporations and trusts.
This I knew and, in plain language, said it.
The big insurance companies, through their officers and trustees, replied by declaring: "He's an unmitigated liar."
I kept at my knitting, for I knew the crimes of these insurance grafters were such that, sooner or later, the world would have an opportunity to judge fairly who were the unmitigated liars and thieves.
The opportunity is at hand.
To-day the press of the world is devoting its space, news and editorial, to a recital of the contemptible and heinous crimes of the New York Life and the Mutual Life Insurance companies—not as I relate them, but as their own officers and trustees publicly confess them.
In the July instalment of my story I called upon policy-holders to sign a coupon blank inserted in Everybody's Magazine, and send same to me that I might speak for them in a plan to further their interests.
In response to my call I have received up to October 4, 1905, 16,307 answers, representing $55,165,916.
I think my readers, when they analyze the following list and take into consideration the character of the senders, many of whom are men of the highest standing—bishops, ministers, governors, mayors, judges, senators, members of Congress, railroad, bank, and trust company presidents—will agree with me that it is the most remarkable collection ever made by one interest since life insurance began.
| INSURANCE COUPONS | |
| Received from June 20th to October 4, 1905 | |
| New York Life | $18,845,410 |
| Equitable | 17,317,956 |
| Mutual | 14,550,240 |
| Miscellaneous | 4,452,310 |
| $55,165,916 | |