New-York tribune., 1905-08-24
CONDITIONS, NOT MEN,"
HIN OF INVESTIGATION.
Senator armstrong at Work-No
Substitute for Mr. Choate.

Should the legislative assurance committee as
now seems probable be unable 70 prevail on Joseph
n. Choate 10 accept the pest OF advisory counsel
81 IS entirely likely, according 10 Senator W. w
Armstrong; statement 20 Tribune reporter. last
ufKht that no advisory counsel will be retained
Following the sudden sale at e low price OF
James Eazen Hyde's country place al Bay shore'
81 rurnored among Mr.. Hyde's city friends thst
Mt. Hyde plans. 20 sell his town house. at NO.
East soth-st and to live during periodical visi1s
TO this country, at No IL the home of Mrs. Henry
g. Hyde, his mother.
in addition TO the suggestions cited already IN Inc
Tribune the committee. according 10 Assenoiyman
Robert Lynn Cox. quoted in the current issue OF
The Insurance Press" has discussed the puohca-
ton OF a yearly or semi-annual report whereoy
poiicyholders may compare the business OF lne
various companies: the drawing Of line between
investment insurance and straight line insurance
and the lending Of aid TO District Attorney jerome
IN any criminal investigation
senator Armstrong; who is chairman OF the leg1s-
rst,v. committee. returned 10 town last night and
was In conference at the Murray Hli hoIei WIN
Charles E. Hughes OF the committees counsel
The committee viii meet at the hotel at 10 O'Clock
This morning afterward adjourning 10 the law
o4sce o- Mr Hughes, at Nc es Broadway. TO outlins
the plan OF the investigation. Seen by the reporter
soon after his arrival Senator Armstrong SAID thst
the committee did consider that M Choa1e had
definitely declined. II must be borne in mind now
ever. he said that Mr.. Choste had been absent
abroad for many years ana that his many interests
demanded his personal attention Otherwise ne De
lisved thst Mr.. Choste would find the work con-
genial
Asked g any other name would be CONSIDERED
handing ny Choate's unequivocal refusal or ac-
c.ntsnoe Senator Armstrong said this was scarceiy
-soeSsars- IN view Of the retention Of Messrs- NC
Keen and Hughes. Each Of them, he saio coinpie-
-nented the other, one furnishing any 0u3HNe
which the other might lack
Senator Armstrong said he knew OF no appea1-
snoes having been fled with the conmittee oy
counsel for probable witnesses.
We do not propose 10 permit lawyers to use
the tine Of the committee said the SENATOR III
examining witnesses looking 10 their vindication-
We are not after men; We are after conoluons-
II is our hope TO restore public confidence IN n
eurance. and not to destroy or tear down reputa-
ton We wish TO make insurance companies big
ger safer and more profitable 20 the companies
and their policyholders than ever before.
He announced the receipt OF copy OF the
Hendricks Equitable testimony, with further copies
promised for to-day. The stenographic work con-
tract he said, not been let.
Paul Morton president of the Equitable. In speak
ing Of the investigation said yesterday;
All we care about Is that the investigation into
the other societies shall be as full and seaTchipg
ss have beeen the investigations into the Equitable
tesrS 5e 20 me that the present law is good enough
and that the poncyholders have not suffered mucA
under IL
Said M. Hughesi
approach this work with feeling OF much
resronsiblitv There is desire 10 provide sensa-
tons ard no wish incriIninate or shield any one
II is not criminal investigation, but legislative
ore 10 ind e possible sound data for change IN
the insurance law IL such is necessary in the IN,
orphans.
Asked II he had made any stipulation that there
should he no political interference, Mr.. Hughes
said:
made no direct stipulation. but I certainly un-
derstood that there would be nothing Of the sort,
In the gas investigation / saw no evidence Of a a
-fa-a ND anticlpdTe
now The name of Mr.. McKeen as my associate
counsel was guarantee to that perfectly full
and thorough investigation was contemplated Ot
course we Go not desire 10 arrogate 10 ourselves
the duties and privileges OF the eomn1ittee out / l
free hand to conduct the investigation In any way
think proper