The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1905-11-17
A BASE CALUMNY
Witness Gives Evidence Of Much Feel
ing While Relating His Side to In.
vestieatinq Committee-Denies that
He Ever Made Threats Against
Mercantile Trust company-Depew
Also Testifies.
lBy Associated Pressl

New York, Nov. 16.-FOrmer Gov
ernor Benjamin B. Odell and Chaun- |
cey M. Depew, who were witnesses
before the Armstrong legislative insur-
ance investigation committee today,
denied parts of the testimony of James |
Hazen Hyde in which their names
were used.
Mr. Odell In the course of his tes-
timony called Mr.. Hyde's statements
"base calumny," and when he was
asked whether he directly or indirect
ly had made threats to have the char
ter of the Mercantile Trust company
revoked, his face flushed and striking
the arm of the witness chair with mis-
fist he exclaimed "there is no truth in
that statement, SO help me God"
Odell was the first witness today.
He said no political pressure was
brought to bear in the settlement of
his suit against the Mercantile Trust
company and that 1t was settled the
same as suits by others. He said he
had been advised by counsel that his
claim was just one and that any
court would nave awarded him more
that he received in the settlement.
He knew of the introduction Of the
Amber bill, which, it is said, might
have affected the Mercantile Trust
company's charter and while he did
not suggest its introduction he saw
no objection to it.
Odell denied that he ever made a
statement to e. H. Hartman or any
one else that retaliatory measures
would be taken against the Mercan-'
tile Trust company. The witness said
he and Hartman were personal
friends, but that they had no business
relations. He wrote a letter on be-
half of Hyde's candidacy for the post
of ambassador to France. This was
at the request of William H. McIn-
tyre, one of the vice presidents of the
Equitable Life Assurance society.
Odell said he had never solicited
political contributions, but possibly
some money might have come to him
through the national committe or SEN
ator Thomas Z. Platt, as the latter
had always gathered together the
funds in New York state, except in
the last year.
Justice Ransome of the supreme
court, representing George H. Squire,
was called and explained Squire's con-
dition. He said Squire was very i'll,
and it was arranged that his deposi-
ton should be taken. Judge Ransome
told what he knew of the transactions
with which Squire's name had been
connected.
sour Chauncey" Testifies.
Senator Depew was examined with
regard to his syndicate participation
and his duties as counsel to the Equit
able society.
Regarding the ambassadorship te
Paris, Senator Depew said Hyde came
to him and solicited his influence te
secure the appointment. He had
brought the matter to the attention ol
the president, although he told Hyde
that he was too young, and the presi
dent said it was utterly impossible tt
make such an appointment.
The senator advocated in the In
terests of the public the limiting o
risks under insurance policies ant
favored a public audit of the accounts
of companies at stated periods by
chartered accountant. This, he though
would obviate many suits that are nov
frequently brought for an accounting
on the rart of policy holder.
Loans to Clerks.
John cilchrist, in charge of the sc
curt derartment of the Equitable
Tif~ 'aerrance society, told of mil
IL - dollars in loans made at tn
av' ," tho year In the names o
cler' ~ Kuhn Loeb & Co. to compl.
with RE law tnat the surplus shoul,
be invested or to keep down the casl