The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-15

James Creelman in the New fork Woriu' @ HE cold gray eyes of Thomas F. \0 Ryan changed to bright blue yes-
 terday as he told of MT. Harri- mans attempt to secure part control of the Equitable Life Assurance society by threats of legislative and financial hos tility. That was his only sign of emotion.
 It was hard to conceive of that formid- able personality being threatened by the dry, spectacled little Hartman
 As MT. Ryan sat down and turned his face to MT. Hughes he seemed the lncar- nation of disciplined power The tall fig ure, broad in the shoulders, deep In the chest the high, full forehead. the width and strength of the face, were all signals.
 But the central evidence of the fierce, primordial man lying beneath that smooth weIl-controlled surface was to be found in the powerful, wide jaws and the pro jecting, cleft chin.
 It was the terrific grip of those jaws in years of early effort, the backwafd pull of the contracted muscles, that drew the dsunited sections of the chin apart and made that tremendous cleft.
 Yet in spite of brutal strength ana tenacity pictured in the head and race MT. Ryan's manner was almost feline Tn it's softness.
 This domination of the trained will ana brain over the original instinct in this remarkable man-who has the physical suggestion of one who carries his way by open violence-is accounted for by ms broad and exceedingly high head
 One sees profound, intellectual faculty of order in that brow; imagination anu ideality in the width of the front head.
 There was no more exaggeration in MT. Ryan's words than in his manner as he proceeded to expose MT. Harriman' ne was so cold and precise, so carelui oi his terms. He had defied the legislature and risked indictment by the grand jury rather than reveal the conversation 1n which MT. Hartman threatened to use his political influence and suggested leg islative action in order to secure snare in the handling of the $4oo,oooooo Eault- able assets.
 As he explained his position his eyes were gray and smileless He spoke to the committee deferentially. But present. ly. when he got at Mir. Harrimans vitais' when every careful word was bringing blood from his enemy's heart, MT. Ryan eyes grew bright blue
 MT. Ryan's lawyer Mir Cravath, did not stand forth as boldly as on the day he coolly instructed his client to defy the legislative committed He sat in chair and meekly watched things in silence.
 Nor did MT. Ryan seem to need advice. He dominated the scene. Now and then his fingers played with brilliant topaz pendant or tangled themselves in ms watch chain. He occasionally turned the wedding ring on his left hand. But these were merely signs of physical restless ness. His eyes were steady, his face. eN- pressionless and he spoke slowly, but with perfect self-control
 Once only was there a flash Of feehhs- when he declared that he had toio MI Hartman that he wanted the Equilaoie society to be independent even or hini- self: and then the muscles of the jaws frightened. the eyes grew larger and bright CT. the head was lifted proudly, the breast raised a little, and the whole man seem- ed instinct with conscious strength
 Hardly had MT Ryan left the chamber when his place was taken by Senator Dry den of New Jersey. president of the Pru- dental Life Insurance company. For months MT. Hughes and the commit tee had been waiting to get glimpse of this extraordinary person, the arch