The Washington times., 1894-08-18

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| US further information end better policy
when he gets home. He desired to know II
he satisfied this committee beyond contro-
versy that the New York company was in
first-class financial condition, whether it
| would be likely we would go in. told him
that depended on circumstances. l expect to
hear from him in n day or two"
This, by the way. looks like an offer of
compromise, or at least in the direction of
conciliatIon. Mr.. Miller then paid his re-
spects to Mr.. Gardners letter.
Now. have listened with great attention
to the remarks of the various gentlemen, to
Mr.. Garener's circular letter, and to his letter
read to-day. 1t appears that on the 3lst
day OF December 1898, Mr. Gardner showed
that he had, by returns filed liz the Office of
the recorder of deeds, capital stock paid up,
500, 900; assets, sS9,9Ss.77, and liabilities,
eS9, Bills.
GARDNER THOUGHT IT SOLVENT.
81 understand that he says that the ap-
554.0s. is below the market value and that it
should be twice that amount. That would
make the assets s10s.9s and the liabilities
S39.37 leaving still assets to the amount Of
$69,617, besides various amounts which have
been collected from the certifcate-holders
from that time up TO the present when he
transferred the company. All this shows
that Mr.. Gardner thought the company per-
fectly solvent.
Il think it was his duty to be here this
afternoon. He says that We invited other
gentlemen, but extended none to him.
certainly thought an invitation would have
been extended to all connected with the
matter"
The chairman: 1--WE certainly would have
been most happy to have had him. We are
interested in him. He could give Us just as
fair a statement rs he could to the press. We
would like to know from him whether we can
have possession Of the books so as TO COM
pare what we get there with his statement
when published. II l understand my in
formant correctly Mr.. Gardner is willing TO
give US any statement that is contained in the
books We ask for, but is unwilling to let the
books go out of his hands. / would move.
therefore. that our committee of expert ac-
countants call upon Mr.. Gardner with the re-
quest that they be allowed to examine the
book" Action on this was deferred.
At this point Mr.. Browning explained that
he did not make an effort to see NJ. Gardner
on the day that he had invited the directors
to the meeting. Mr.. Mackey said that it was
a mistake not to have had before them "a
man who had been condemned by the direc-
tors"
batim. evidently. what took place between
him and Mr.. Gardner on Thursday night at
the Shoreham. 1t is interesting as it out
lines in a certain place Mr.. Gardner's de-
fence, and IS otherwise good reading.
Mr.. Wolf said: 81 saw him last night. and
he promised to be present to-day. He said he
didn't know Of any reason, unless he changed
his mind, why he should NOT be present l
waited all day, and not hearing from him l
took it for granted that he wouldn't be here.
think 1 stayed with him nearly an hour,
Col. Tracy. an intimate friend OF him and me,
being present. Mr.. Gardner had been with
the vice-president of the committee of the
Commercial Alliance. l said TO him that
having heard the statements made before the
meeting and the committee such statements
ought to be corrected or denied If they were
not true.
WOULD NOT GIVE UP THE BOOKS.
"I told him that Director Edison had been
to see me during the day, and I told him
about the interview at Somervilles house.
He said that there must have been some mis-
understanding, for he (Gardner) would GER
tainly not give up the books. We could ask
for statement, and when made he would
allow the experts to compare it with the
books, but he would not allow regular in
vestigation into the books and papers OF the
Office. He also stated positively, If he didn't
come, 1t would be either from the fact that he
was advised not to come. or because he did
not wish to have personal controversy and
alteration with one or two members of the
committee who. as he said. had 'vilifled him
publicly l assured him that he would be
Just as safe here as in his own home. That !,
as president, would protect him; that would
allow no insults to pass, and thatno one Of the
committee would indulge in anything of the
kind il he wouldn't forget himself. He said
that an attempt had been made to make
seapegoat of him, but that II wa waited long
enough we would see that If there was any
thing to blanc in the matter it would not at
tach to him alone" This last clause was
greeted with smiles by the committee.
.'Mr. Gardner said that he didn't know
why this controversy arose. 1t was stock
concern. He had Investigated the matter.
He had gone to New York. He thought the
Commercial Alliance bona fide concern.
That for year he had been nearly crazy with
this thing. He didn't care n snap for his
stock. That he was friend of this people.
He had acted honorably and manfully in the
matter. and he wouldn't allow any man or
set OF men to place him in the position of
having his motives impugned and assailed,
because he had done nothing except what
circumstances justified.
HE WAS WILLING TO AID.
T asked him whether he couldn't bring
back the corporation to the status before the
alleged transfer. He said he didn't know,
but was willing to aid in that direction if
anything could be done. If anybody was
willing to assume the liabilities he was will
ing that it should be done, and he saw no
reason why it couldn't be done except that it
was too late. said it could be done. He
said he would consult with the Commercial
Alliance and think the matter over. At the
conclusion Of the talk he said: Well. see
no reason why I should not be present at
your meeting tomorrow
After this statement the motion to have the
experts examine the books was withdrawn.
Mr.. Mackey offered the following resolu-
ton, which was adopted
Resolved That it is the sense OF this COM
mittee that it would be inadvisable for the
certificate holders Of the Endowment Associa-
ton to accept at present the offer OF the Com
mercial Alliance Life Insurance Company OF
New York"
Mr.. Wolfthen made personal explanation.
He said he noticed that an officer OF the Alli-
ance had intimated that he (WolD was acting
in the matter a. an insurance man, and not
really In the interest Of the association, or at
least that was to be inferred from that on
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