New-York tribune., 1905-07-06
CRIMINAL ACTION LIKELY.
JEROME TO PROCEED.
JEROME
Certain Equitable officers and Di-
rectors May Face Conspiracy Charge


When District Attorney Jerome returns to
this city next week from his Western trip he
will take up at once an investigation of the
Equitable Life Assurance Society. From in
formation he has obtained already, it was
learned yesterday, the District Attorney has
decided that he will begin criminal proceedings
Cor conspiracy 10 defraud the Equitable against
certain officers and directors of the Equitable.
These proceedings will be based. it was said, on
the syndicate undertakings and taken before
the grand jury.
District Attorney Jerome has not seen yet the
testimony taken by Superintendent Hendricks
OF the State Insurance Department in his in
vestfgation. He has read the report of Superin-
tendent Hendricks. however. and from that and
the Frick report he mapped out his course of
action Then he started on still hunt for ac-
curate information as to the conditions viewed
from the inside He has had interviews with
some of the lawyers for the various factions in
The Equitable fight. Although Gage E Tarbell
denied strongly yesterday that he had been with
Mr. Jerome others usually well Informed on all
the developments said that the District At
torney and Mr.. Tarben had been in conference
and that the second vice-president had given
information which would aid the District At
torney greatly in his work.
The District Attorneys reasoning as to the
indictments viii be that the members of the un-
cerwriting syndicates entered into conspiracy
10 defraud the Equitable when they prevented
The society from making the profits which they
made from these syndicates. according to what
was learned yesterday. In addition to that
lire he will have another set of arguments
tending 20 prove grand larceny. it was pre-
dicted.
The knowledge that District Attorney Jerome
would be so active in his Equitable invesu-
cation stirred ND all the factions. Almost every
,,odr concerned in the original Equitable trou-
bles will be involved In this new development
1, Mr.. Jerome is able 10 carry out his plans
and the prospect appears not 10 please them'
Conferences were held by several of the law
vers including those who have not appeared
actively as representing anybody. but nave
Leen working under cover
JUDGE REFERS TO INVESTIGATION.
That the District Attorneys action may De
expected soon was indicated yesterday wheh
the July grand jury was sworn in Judge Fos-
Ter in addressing them, referred TO an I'M
,,or,apt Investigation which the District Attor-
ley had under way, in which he might require
,heir help at any time. The judge earnestly
ssked that the jurymen consider that case
,bougbtfullv. II might be necessary for them
70 sit long after ordinary hours, he sald' pos
sbly to continue in session after July
Samuel Unter1nyer. OF Mr. Hyde's counsel was
the only man who would discuss the present
situation Mr.. Untermyer said that he kne"
nothing OF any criminal action, and that he hau
found nothing in the testimony before Superlh-
tendent Hendricks the reports OF the IN
vestlgatlons TO constitute possible basis for
such action The possibility of criminal pro-
ceedings has been discussed between District
ATTORNEY Jerome and Mr.. Cntermyer however
Nr Tuter1nver evidently does not consider the
situation pressing. for he intends TO sail Tor
Europe on July 10. and it is possible also that
Mr.. Hyde will not forego his usual summer trip
10 France.
The executive committee Of the Equitab bic met
yesterday and adjourned without transactinS
any business. Paul Morton, chairman or the
board. Was at Cleveland at Secretary Hays
funeral James Hazen Hyde did not attend the
meeting
The grand jury for July was sworn in by
Judge Foster in Part 1 of General Sessions.
The judge was able TO secure only eighteen
Jurors, The smallest number serving on a grand
Jury In this county for many years. Before the
selection of the jurors began, Judge Foster ad-
dressed them follows:
understand that the District Attorney is in
FestGating matter Of great Importance and
may need your assistance have given him my
assurance that sou viii assist him IN order to
meet any important matter that may arise in
Tjat contingency your time may be extended
1ou may be required TO serve after ] o'clock
h.lhe days The ordinary hours of the sessions
OF the July grand jury Will probably be ex-
lthded at any rate / can give you other
oelnlte notice this time. 1t is likely that there
VIII be lot Of work for the July grand jury. You
may even be required TO serve beyond the month
of July.
IL was taken for granted that the investga-
ton Of the Equitable was meant by Judge
Foster
GRAND JURY TALESMAN OBTAINED
The following talesmen were obtained to form
the July grand jury:
russell D. Hyde. woollens, No II6 West goth
81; ,.,; William Baylis. broker No. 7l2 5th-ave.;
1 sIiIs - fraAAe architect No 1872 West 123d-st.
shd No. ZSS Jth-aVe William & smith builder
% nes, a Perry-st and No. sc Watts-st: Samuel
Diii' mems furnishings. 80. los Central Park
Continued second page
E9Ih cEMIuRY-1a HOuRs-cALcAcn