Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 38, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 October 1905 — IN THE PUBLIC EYE [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

IN THE PUBLIC EYE

Robert H. McCurdy, who testified before the insurance investigating committee in New York, that from

1893 until the present time he has received hundreds of thousands of dollars in commissions, is the general manager of the Mutual Life and also is a trustee of the institution. His father is its president. The younger McCurdy

began his insurance career in 1881, after his graduation from Harvard, in the Metropolitan agency of the Mutual Life, and five years later he was made superintendent of the foreign department. In 1903 he was chosen general manager. Mr. McCurdy was born in New York City, May 26, 1859. Besides jiis position in the Mutual Life he is a director of the Astor National Bank, of the Windsor Trust Company, and of the Casualty Company of America, and also is connected with other financial and business corporations. Waldo Story, the Boston-London sculptor, who is to execute a statue of the late Sir William Vernon Harcourt for the House of Commons, is the first American to be thus honored.

Francis Kossuth, under whose leadership the coalition parties in Hungary are said to be desirous of effecting or-

ganization in opposition to Austrian control, is a son of the celebrated revolutionist, Louis Kossuth. For years he has been an influential leader of the Hungarian Independent party and the champion of popular rights. Formerly he w r as

a civil engineer, but abandoned that profession to enter politics, and for a long time lias been a thorn in the flesh of the government. On several occasions it has been reported that Francis Kossuth would be made premier. For a time in 1849 the elder Kossuth was governor of Hungary, which fyad declared its independence, but he was compelled to flee from his native country and lived in exile many years. Gen. G. W. Mindil, United States appraiser of diamonds that come into New York, declares that they have advanced 50 per cent in value in ten years, and that the increase will continue. William Caryl Ely, who has been elected president of the reorganized American Street and Internrban Rail-

way Association, is a citizen of Buffalo and well known as a business lawyer. He served in the New York Assembly from ISS3 until ISBS, and was the Democratic nominee for Speaker. In 1891 he also was honored with

the Democratic nomination for justice of the Supreme Court. He was one of the promoters of the Niagara Falls Power Company and of the Buffalo and Niagara Falls Electric Railway. Mr. Ely was born at Middlefield, N. Y., In 185 G, and Is a graduate of Cornell. In 1882 he was admitted to the bar. He is a Mason. The late Gen. Sherman was one of the men that haunted the cloakroom of the House and Sehate for a good story. Dr. Victor Nilsson of Minneapolis -has been chosen to edit the new monthly musical journal of tho American Union of Swedish Singers. Charles Evans Hughes, who was nominated for Mayor of Greater New York by the Republican gity conven-

tlon, Is ft lawyer whose achievements for years have kepi him in the public eye. Just now be is attorney for the Armstrong commission of the New York State Legislature, which is investigating the methods of the big life Insurance companies, and it was

under his direction that the commission has been able to bring out so much evidence of how the public's money Is juggled for the benefit of the officers and their friends. Mr. Hughes was born at Olens Falls, N. Y., April 11, 1802. The late Hermann Nothnagle, the famous surgeon, wrote sn essay some years sgo in which he endeavored to prove that the moment of dying was in most cases absolutely painless. His own death evidently confirmed this doctrine. Rev. G. W. McPherson, one of the best known evangelists of New York City, plans the building of a great evangelistic hall seating 3,000 persons and having in connection with it a training school for evangelists.

ROBT. H. M'CURDY.

W. C. ELY.

FRANCIS KOSSUTH.

CHAS. K. HUGHES.