Never let the facts get in the way of a good speech isapparently the notion of Willis brokerage chief executive Joseph J.Plumeri, who has been giving talks citing a bogus letterpurportedly written by President Martin Van Buren.

When asked about the use of the letter by Mr. Plumeri, DanPrince, spokesman for Willis, said there were some doubts about theletter's authenticity, but Mr. Plumeri felt it was an effectivetool to use to help demonstrate resistance to modernization withinthe insurance industry. Any reference he made to the letter wasalways preceded by a qualifier questioning the letter'sauthenticity, said Mr. Prince.

Mr. Plumeri, CEO and chairman of Willis Holding Group has beenusing the letter to illustrate his concerns about resistance by theindustry to modernization.