QUERY COLUMN.

Question: Can you indicate in next issue list of best works and literature for a new agent to read.

Answer: Too comprehensive a question. Decidedly the two best are the rate book and application blank.

Is the Old Guard of the Equitable the Old Guard we read about in the papers?

Answer: No, the Old Guard of the Equitable does not march down Broadway, wearing busbies and shakos, and portcullises and culverins and things. But they're all right just the same.

Do you want anything from agents for your paper which deals with the humorous side of the business, or do you only want our serious experiences?

Answer: We want humorous experiences-and we want them badly. We would rather fill this paper with sunshine than with shadow, so send along anything you have that will contribute to the "gaiety of nations." We have trouble to burn. Send along your fun.

The other day I told a man that our Gold Debentures were better than Government Bonds and he said I was talking through my bonnet. Wasn't my statement O. K.? Answer: To all intents and purposes, yes. You can't pay for a Government Bond in instalments; they don't carry the protection of life assurance; and the new issue only bears 2 per cent. interest-and a guarantee of the Equitable is practically as safe as a guarantee of the Government.

A STORY, A POSTSCRIPT AND A MORAL.

The truth of the following interesting item is vouched for: Mr. F., an agent of the Equitable, solicited a wealthy man, and obtained his application for $25,000. He thought this man ought to take a larger amount, so he had an extra policy issued for $100,000. On going to deliver the policy, Mr. F. pulled out the policy for $100,000, and laid it on the applicant's desk. Of course the applicant expressed surprise, but the agent got down to business and finally persuaded the man to take the $100,000 policy. Directly this was decided Mr. Agent pulled the original $25,000 policy out of his pocket, and said "Of course, the policy you have just taken is in addition to the one you originally applied for." To make a long story short, the applicant took both policies, and then nearly died of heart failure when the agent said, "Now, Mr.you have $125,000 of assurance with us; why not make it the limit, which is only $200,000." He did not take the other $75,000. However, it so happened that a friend of his who had just been declined by the Society, came into his office, and advised him to take assurance while he could. As a result, the agent was surprised by receiving a letter the next morning saying that his applicant had decided to take the other $75,000. It was issued and taken. and the premium received, the check for which amounted to $9,974, all of which may have the earmarks of a fish story, but all of which is, nevertheless, true.

Postscript.-Since writing the above the following has been received from the agent: "Just a line to say that we substituted today on Mr. $50,000 Gold Bond instead of 20 A. P., and got check for $1,035.50 for difference in premium, making total premium $11,009.50.

The Honorable Sergeant P. Stearns made a flying trip from Canada the other day. This Sergeant is a good private citizen, as well as General Manager. N. B.-Joke here, if you crack the shell and get at the colonel.

Weary Gunn Powell.

April thirteenth
Wineteen hundred.

The above card has been received from H. J. Powell. Congratulations.

Kutnewsky Brothers of Salt Lake City are doing noble work for the prospective widows of that vicinity.

The president of the Society, in company with the second and third vice-presidents and Mr. William Triggs, joint general manager of the British Branch of the Society, made a tour of all the agency offices in the metropolitan district outside of the home office building on Tuesday, April 3, and had a most interesting, enjoyable and profitable day. The party started at 8.40 in the morning and finished their circuit at the home office at half past six in the evening. At the various agency offices, meetings of the agents were held, at which addresses were made by the managers and by Mr. Alexander, Mr. Tarbell, Mr. Wilson and Mr. Triggs. The latter was loud and sincere in his praises of the character and calibre of the men of the metropolitan department, whom he had thus had the opportunity of seeing in their own offices.

Ferdinand Straus was second on the list of personal writers for April. His sickness hasn't weakened his ability to hustle.

Another chip of the old block. J. E. B. Sweeney, of Wheeling, is on Mr. Tarbell's list, both for April and for the first four months.

The second vice-president and L. A. Cerf, who are on a Western trip, report great enthusiasm all along the line, and a splendid outlook for the year's business.