The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-05-17
STORY OF THE $1,000 CHECK

SOME INTERESTING TESTIMONY
OFFERED YESTERDAY,
Before the Judiciary Committee In tho
investigation of the Expenses of the
Insurance Commissioners Off Mr..
Belts Makes an Important Statement
Concerning Certain NIatters-Ex-Gov.
Cooke OH the Stand-Other witnesses
Heard Hearing Adjourned to Next
Tuesday.
The adjourned hearing on the resolu-
tion for an investigation of the legal eX-
penses of the insurance commissioner in
1895 and the history and final settle
ment of the commissioners suit against
the Aetna Life Insurance company
opened before the judiciary committee
in Hartford at 2.45 yesterday afternoon.
At that hour the supreme court room
where the hearing was held, was crowd
ed with witnesses, attorneys and spec
tators. Judge Hungerford appeared as
counsel for Mr.. Belts, who was also
present. Attorney William c. Case and
Attorney w. H. station of New York
appeared to represent Harry Alloway of
New York, whose name has been men
+bo
under investigation. Attorney John
O'Neil of Waterbury was present, he
having stated at a previous hearing
that he represented policy holders in
the Connecticut Indemnity association
and two persons in particular whose
names he refused to state.
When the hearing had been called to
order w. c. Case arose and stated that
on Saturday last the house chairman
of the committee wrote a letter which
he read. The letter was to Mr.. Alloway,
stating that the assertion had been
made at one of the hearings that
large sum of money had been paid to
him to secure the settlement of the
Aetna Life suit. The letter then invited
Mr.. Alloway to appear before the COM
mittee yesterday or on a convenient date
and stated that $11.40 mileage fee and
witness fee was enclosed. Mr. Case
stated that in consequence of the letter
he appeared as Mr.. Alloway's counsel
He stated that Mr.. Alloway was not
present because he was too busy and
because the hearing had as yet dealt
only with assertions and he proposed
to hear all the prosecution before put
ting in defense and If at any time the
assertions ripen into evidence Mr.. Allo-
way would appear and return the $12
for which he thanked the committee.
Mr.. Kenealy-"Mr. Case, who is to be
the judge as to when Mr.. Alloways
presence is required?'
MI. Case-"I suppose myself and MIR.
Station, who appear as his COUNSEL"
Mr.. Kenealy-"If it is inconvenent
to Mr.. Alloway to appear here, we will
take his deposition. This is not an in
vestigation Of Mr.. Belts or of Mr.. Allo-
way. There are no charges"
Mr.. Case-'There are very serious
charges touching Mr.. Alloway, that he
received very large sum of money to
end the suit against the Aetna COM
pany. He ought to have some light as
is before he is called upon to explain.
He says that he knows nothing about
this matter and wants to know what is
charged before he appears here
Mr.. O'Neil asked that when Mr. Allo-
way appeared he bring his check book
and stubs of checks for three months
prior to February, 1898. Mr.. Case said
that the checks and stubs were already |
~. -
conduct his case as suited himself.
Attorney General Phelps stated that
the witness heard last Thursday was
only preparatory to other witnesses
whom he wished to call at once. He |
stated that no subpoena had been sent |
to Ex-Governor Cooke, but that a letter,
had been sent to him inviting him to
be present and that the ex-governor was
present and if he desired to make any
statement now he desired that the
statement be made.
Ex-Governor Cooke then rose and
said: son April 20, 1898, Commissioner
Belts came into my office and asked If
the board of control would make an ap-
preparation to conduct the case against
the Aetna Life Insurance company,
stating that his appropria tion had been /
exhausted. | told him that | did not
think that could favor such an appro-
priation and / had in mind the case of
the Continental Life Insurance company
of this city, of which l was appointed
receiver, and remembered that an ap-
preparation of $500 was made to the in
surance commissioner then and with
eminent counsel the appropriation was
soon exhausted and | thought that the
eminent counsel in this case could take
care of themselves until the case was
finished and so ] felt that I could not
favor an appropriation to pay attor-
neys. The commissioner brought Mr..
his counsel, into my office
and I made the same statement to him
That is all l have on that matter
Mr.. Kenealy-"Was there a sum NAM
ed?"
"No sir"
Mr.. O'Neil-"How do you fix the
date. governor"
by my Journal"
Mr.. O'Neil-"I notice that date was
the same as that of the settlement; did
Mr. Hungerford intimate that counsel
would refuse to go forward if the apprO-