The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-12-14

Hartman Made Threats UlicsS Lot
in on Equitable Deal.
DEMANDED oNE-HALF OF SHARES
Declared Unless He Received Them Tic
Woud Exert His Political Influence
Against Ryan and the COMPANY
Prudentiars Campaign Gifts.


New York. Dec 10. - Thomas +.
RYAN appeared before the insurance
investigating committee and told what
f. II. Hartman did and threatened TO
do when he demanded that Mr. Ryan
concede to him a share In the control
of the Equitable Life Assurance so
cietv last June. Mr. Ryan assured
the committee that he had meant no
disrespect by his former refusal 10
disclose their conversations, and saih
that he had determined TO answer the
questions to which he had refused re-
plies on Friday last, because District
Attorney Jerome said he ought to
do so.
Mr.. Ryan's version OF what Mr.. Har-
riman demanded and what he threat
ened to do upon the refusal OF his de-
mands. was in substance as follows:
That Hartman demanded one-half
Of the 500 shares of the stock OF the
Equitable Life Assurance Society
which Mr.. Ryan had purchased from
James H. Hyde. and which gave Mr..
RYAN control of the property.
That Hartman threatened. unless
he was conceded this share in the
control of the society. to exert his po'
litical and all other influences against
Mr.. Ryan ana his project
That Hartman declared there pr b.
ably would he legislative action. and
that in that event his influence would
be important. That Hartman deman T.
Oh the right 10 name two of five trus-
toes 10 vote the controlling stock IN
tho election Of directors Of the so
ciety
In rcnly TO repeated questions by
Charles f. Hughes. counsel for the
committee. Mt Ryan stated that Nr.
Hartman d not threaten that there
should be ! gislative action unless he
was given a share in the Equitable
control. hut said there probably would
be sgch action. Neither did Mr.. Hnr-
riman threaten any action by an on
Ger OF the government.
II was strenuous interview. Mr..
RYAN said and was held in the pres
ence of Elihu Root. then Mr.. Ryan's
counsel. now secretary Of state. and
Paul D. Cravath. also Mr. Ryan's
counsel Mr.. Ryan told the committee
that he drew the inference from il
that Mr. Hartman did not want any
body 10 control the Equitable So
ciety unless he had a share in IT, Mr..
Ryan also stated that he paid no at
tenton 10 Mr. FIarriman's statement
that his influence would be important
in the event of legislative action and
informed him that he wanted no part
ners in the enterprise Mr. Hartman
did not get the coveted share in the
stock
Mr. RYAN declares that this inter
view took place within a few days
after he got control of the Kyle
stock.
United States Senator John F. Dry.
den. Of New Jersey. president Of the
Prudential Life Insurance Company
of America. was on the witness stand
all the remainder of the day. He tcs.
tilted that his company paid $4,000 TO
the Republican national CAMPAIGN
fund in 1896. 1900 and 1904 It also
paid $1,000 to Andrew Hamilton. for
merly the New York Life Insurance
company's legislative agent at Al
bany
The senator also said that he got
a q per cent commission on some OF
the insurance in the Prudential on his
own lie and IS and 80 per cent. on
first premiums and ~ per cent. on re-
newals On other policies held by him
In the same company He also re-
ceiyed a commission on a policy he
holds IN the Provident Life and Say
ings COMPANY