The Topeka state journal., 1905-11-21

sessments of the officers of the Equita-
bic society reduced. At this point Sen
ator Platt was called and Mr.. Comas
was temporarily excused.
PIatt Makes a Stir.
Senator PIatt's entrance created a
stir in the committee. He walked slow
ly in on the arm of Robert c. Morris,
his counsel, and leaning heavily on
cane. He took the witness chair and
was sworn. Mr.. Morris started to ad-
dress the committee, but stonned upon
Chairman Armstrong; exclamation that
counsel are not heard formally by the
committee.
PIatt Was Carried Up.
Senator Platt had been carried up
the stairs of the city hall to the door
of the committee in a chair. When he
was seated and sworn Mr.. Morris said
questions freely and frankly.
In reply to questions by Mr.. Hughes
Senator Platt said that he had received
contributions more particularly from
the Equitable Life Assurance society
solely for the state campaign fund and
during a. period of at least the last ten
years.
The contributions were of $4,000
each. He could not tell when they
commenced but they continued every
year for some time.
He received no money from the
Equitable for the local campaigns nor
for the expenses of any candidates to
the legislature.
The money was divided as seemed
eXpedient. The packages of money, he
said, were sent over to his Office by a
messenger and he imm ediately turned
them over to the chairman, secretary
or treasurer of the state committee.
They were all cash contributions, all
| came by messenger and all came vol
unfairly.
Senator PIatt said he could not re-
member whether he made a request
for the contributions at the very be-
ginning or that they were a fixed sum
of $4,000 a year.
Senator Platt said he occasionally re
ceived contributions of $4,000 each from
! the Mutual Life Insurance company but
/ that he could not tell in what year or
how often. These contributions did not
come annually but at different times
within the last ten Years.
| He turned the money over to the state
committee. The senator said h believd
\ that had dealt with President McCurdy
in receiving these contributions
Asked for Money.
s'I simply asked him at various times
when necessities were very urgent Tor
money and he said he would be glad to
subscribe said the senator.
The money, the senator said, was al
was intended for use in the state cam
I paign. President McCurdy understood,
! the senator said, that the senator was
not representing the national committee
/ The Mutual Life, he said made no con
| tributions to the local campaign nor IN
the interest of any candidate for state Of
! fee other than by the general contribu-
/ tiOnS described. While teStify1ng about
/ the gifts of the Mutual Life the senator
once replied that he understood that he
1 was talking about the New York Life In
surance company, but afterward said he
meant the Mutual. When he was asked
when he had received any funds from the
New York Life Insurance company, he
/ said he thought he had very seldom. He
! had dealt with President John A. Mccall
Asked directly whether Mr.. Mccall gave
1 him any money. the senator replied:
! II can not say positively whether hs
, did or not. I can not remember.
1T has been suggested to me that yoI
had something to do with the collection
of funds for the Harrison campaign. the
raising of a fund of $780, ,O00 Do you re.
/ call that?" asked Mr.. Hughes.
! I do not" said the senator.
cor any fund.-"
NO My memory could not tell ms
I whether it was the Harrison campaign
or what campaign it was
you are clear in your mind that yoI
never had any contributions made to yoJ
/ for the purpose of national Campaign
Yes, sir. They never were given tt
me for a national camDaign. although
/ sometimes in talking with gentlemen
/ about it said thought it would be a goo6
/ thing for them to subscribe because OF
the bearing Of the national campaign Ur
| a state carnpaign.'