Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury [Connecticut]) 1903-1917, 1905-09-20
JEROME HAD HIS EAR
TO THE GROUND TO-DAY
He Was Listener to President NcCalrs Testimony Be-
fore the Insurance Investigating Committee-Will
Make Statement Very Seon-McCall Sole Judge
Of What Checks Should be Drawn $685. 900 Paid
Out and No Accout Made Only Verbally to Mccall.

sF5F1s54 V0S &&kA0 ANV &4SSV@& A&A&
New York, Sept 20.--That $235, 900
had been paid to Andrew A. Hamilton
of Albany, that no account of this
money has been made except to Presi-
dent Mccall verbally and that Hamil-
ton attended the sessions of the legis-
lature at Albany in the interest Of the
New York Life Insurance Co, was
brought out to-day in the testimony
given by President Mccall before the
legislative insurance investigation.
Mr. Mccall denied that the money
was given to Hamilton to influence any
member of the legislature, and said
that he was sure the $235.000 would be
paid back ON the demand of the New
York Life Insurance Co. IF it won't,
l am responsible and will pay it. said
Mr.. Mccall Hamilton, he said, for
leg 4 services received 100000 a year
fro h the New York Life Insurance Co.
resident Mccall further stated that
co tributions to the republican party
in recent years were given to defeat
tt silver platform and for the support
of the gold platform, rather than to
assist the republican party.
Mr. Mccall further stated as justif-
cation for the campaign distributions:
81 thank God that Bryan and free sill
yer were beaten and that | had a
share in their defeat" Applause broke
forth at the end of this statement,
which was quickly checked by Senator
Armstrong, who said he would have
the room cleared If there were any
more such demonstrations. In 1892,
r.. tn1 ri ilatt-
tions to either party because both had
gold platforms.
New York. Sept 20-John A. Nc
Call, president of the New York Life
Insurance company, was witness to-
day before the legislative insurance
investigating committee
1t was expected that Mr. Mccall
would be questioned concerning the
final disposition of the 100000 which
was paid by order of President Nc
Call to Andrew Hamilton of Albany.
1t was announced before the COM
mittee began proceedings that the ses-
sion would adjourn at l o'clock and
that the members of the committee
might attend the funeral of Senator
Amber
District Attorney Jerome was an
interested spectator of the proceedings
to-day for the first time. He said he
expected to make a public statement
on the subject of the investigation in
few days.
Willis G. Nash. cashier. Of New
York State National Bank of Albany.
was the first witness. He produced
a transcript of the account of Andrew
To 4
to date This consisted Of "a ledger
sheets. The account gave no particu-
lars beyond the amounts. Mr. Nash
said only Mr. Hamilton's daughter
had power to draw checks on that ac-
count.
President John A. Mccall of the
New York Life Insurance company,
was then called. After being sworn
and giving the preliminary informa-
ton as to his business and residence,
he said he had been comptroller of
the@Equitable before being president
of the New York Life Insurance COM
pany and previously had been super
intendent of insurance at Albany. He
said It was true that he had drawn
checks on the New York Life Insur-
ance company account without the
approval of the finance committee.
He said this was almost daily oc-
currence. He had known Andrew
Hamilton for ten years. Hamilton is
not relative of his. he added.
Mr. Mccall said he himself was the
sole Judge of what checks should be
drawn without authorization. HaTnil-
ton. he said, had charge Of the real
estate of the company throughout the
country on a salary Of $4,000 a year.
Taking up the 100000 in checks sent
TO Albany, Mr. Mccall said, in answer
TO Mr. Hughes that he gave them to
Hamilton. He said I'm 1908 the COM
pany determined to buy the block IN
The rear of the home Office in this city.
He sent for a real estate agent to take
up the subject quietly, the New York
Life Insurance Co was not to be
known I'm, the transaction. In Decem'
ber. 1903. the real estate mau reported
he thought the block could be pro
cured for 81. 100000 and that IS per
cent Of this should be available quick
ly
II told him." said Mr. Mccall, "thai
would put him I'm touch with Judge
Hamilton, and pursuant TO that ! or.
dered the two checks I'm question
drawn. The vouchers will show what
they were drawn for" He produced
the vouchers and identified them. One
was the comptroller's warrant and the
other Mr. HamiltOn's receipt. They
were marked for Identification. The
words ''for temporary use" on one Of
the vouchers. Mr. Mccall said. meant
that the money was 10 be used for the
purpose directed and TO be reported
back to the board. He said the S1OO..
600 had been accounted for by Mr
Hamilton. Mr. Mccall here wanted q
make an explanation. but Mr. Hughes
counsel for the investigating commit
tee. wanted the account as presented
The account. the witness said. was
rendered orally to Mr. Mccall at bis
Office He said Mr. Hamilton bad paid
!. out 100000 on the Elm street proper
ty, and that there is still S235.O00 un
expended. The checks were produced
They were nine in number. four to tho
order OF John W. GoldIng. the real es
tate broker. and five 10 the order o:
Andrew A. Hamilton These. Mr. Nc
Call said. we're checks that had beeE
paid on the property bounded by Elm
Worth. Leonard and Center streets
New YORK. IN 1908.
AROUND THE WORLD.
Lincoln. Neb. Sept 20.-NIr and Mrs
William J. Bryan. their son and
daughter. William and Grace. will
leave tomorrow for their trip around
the world. ThT wfIl safl for japan
on September - from San Francesca