New-York tribune., 1905-11-15
Mr. HYDE ALMOST A MODEL WITNESS.

Mr. Hyde repeated that Harriman,s sugses.
ton had been made ''in just that naked form
MI hughes had a newspaper story of the
introduction by the late Senator Amber of CO.
lumbia, Of bill repeating this charter. The
story. an Albany dispatch recounted that n
bill had been introduced repeating Chapter So6
of the Laws of 1865. and that this was the law
incorporating the Warehousing and Ffreproofng
Company. whose charter. in an amended FORM
had been acquired by the Mercantile Trust Com
pany, which operating under it No refer
ence of direct nature was made to this dis
patch. but it seemed to be confirmed by Mr.
Hydes declaration that he had been informed
such bill had been introduced. The testimony
on this point follows:
.Q.--Had- you any interview with any director Of
the Equitable With regard TO the settlement Of
camille Trust Company? A-Yes. sir: with Mr.
the EaatabIe Because ut the Equfas had nothing e
to do with it. He consulted with me as director
had nothing in any way. shape or form TO do
o-Did the Equitable, Life Assurance Society
have ANYTHING to do with the United States Ship
u o~oT ipay with amy of the transactions leading to
the iotation of its securities? Absolutely moth
oor Nit With the settlement of suits brought
e owas WAS money PAID to Governor ode out Of
directly or Indirectly, in the settlement Of his suit
against the Mercantile trust Company A.-NO.
sir | have learned as officer Of the Mercantile
Trust Company that the payment for that settle
pany on the advice of counsel. Mr.. Colby.
effort was made by any one connected with the
Equitable Life Assurance Society any one
have any payment made by the Equitable in the
the United States shipbuilding Company? Al
know of nothing in that connection
MR.. HARRIMAN'S ADVICE
Odd Mr.. Hartman ever suggest to you that
the claim be, settled? A.-Yes. sir; He suggested
TO thatt thaDa 66a Of
in the newspapers that an effort would be made to
pany. which was valuable charter and the Equit-
able Life has very large investment in the COM
yoWha at was that to pt repeal the charter? ter A.
had a great deal to do with what was considersi
the advisahity OF making that settlement
ter Al mean exactly what / say. I do not mean
to be in1pertirent in answerirg that way
you elaborate that? What was said to Mr.. Harri-
man as to anything that could be done 10 repeal
the charter of the Mercantile TTus, Company? A.
l suppose he feared retaliatory measures on the
Q-Why should you suppose so: Al don't
On what form was that suggestion made? A.
In just that naked form
would Re- repealed peal AYes WT ease a' 'e 'hr'eF
any step been m ada taken in dt that % direction
self OF any step of my own knowledge He sgg
Company and the members of the executive CON
mittee recommended il. and !. as an officer of the
did not originate it or direct it,
e4ng to yom hs srFmab IT, you are re-
Q. -That. Is the settlement? AEYes. sir; as
It distinctly understood that the Equitable Life
o"Do you know yourself Of any. measures taken
psny2 Al know simply that there were
Q.-what was the amount of Governor OdeIrs
claim? Al don't remember nsl1 the details Of T.
sum Qt mGnsy ga! 'hft ba was % paid G settlement
Odd understand what proportion that
OF the entire claim apProximately- A-No. sir.
Tbe witness The bonds were retained and.
ma rket or had some value.
o.-The $500 was over and above? A-Yee. sir.
I he bonds dor don't remember The details of II
q what was the sotal amount of the invest
o-What was % the he amount ~ the bonds that cey
Mr. Hughes. | am not familiar with the details of
say MIR Hughes because I dor't know -
WHAT MR.. oDELf. MADE
Q.-Do YOU know what amount was obtained uron
hose honds 10 addition 10 ne $500
ccr:s in figuring in the securities
Mr. Hyd@-Mr. Hughes nv understanding IS 4,
] remember It. although an, very hazy H. ui7
recollection is that saoOo paid in this settler ,en
his bonds. brought him cut about even on the ir-
vestment.
o,-Mr. Unternnyer says no. what is the fact7
Mr.. L GntsTmXer-t don know ~ brought i'm CsI-
more than % or 81 the dollar
Q.-It Il of UluCh moment exceot 70 have =
accurate. Al would not like state FacafIss
am clear that
Q.-I inquire further as 70 the sfa,.
taken the ruTnors that you heard OF stems q, -
neal neal the charter Of the Mercsntile Trust COMPANY
pany-what is it's origin? Al don't know The
Eduitahle's interest in the trust company ants
dated twenty years my connection with the com
pany. - W
o.-Nas II special charter? Al have been toll
tails of the charter ~ ~ "
4, no, tyoo,
porated. the original company? A-No sir. an
not familiar with the details.