Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-23
EQUITABLE SCANDALS
JEROME TO GO TO WORK ON
HENDRICKS REPORT.

NEW YORK, June 23.-The regular sum-
mer vacation OF the court of general ses-
sons win be suspended this year, so that
the court may be available If District At
tcrHey Jerome begins prosecution in con-
neotion with the Affairs of the Equitable
Life Assurance Society. This action was
taken upon the request of District Attorney
Jerome.
District Attorney Jerome. in making his
motion TO suspend the courts vacation. said
he had letter from Gov. Higgins offering
to place the evidence obtained by the super
intendent of insurance, Mr.. Hendricks. at
MIR. Jerome's disposal. Mr.. Jerome added:
Tt Is my desire to have that evidence,
and it is my intention to go through 1T very
thoroughly.
THE widespread attention called to this
matter makes it mandatory upon me to
make an examination of the whole affair.
l am not in a position to know at this time
whether there has been violation of the
law. but 1t is my duty to find out. Before
the governor addressed his letter to me 1
had the matter under consideration having
sent for copy of the official report of the
investigation. 1t may be that there is MOTH
ing in this affair to call for the action of
this court.
Letter Unusual.
at is unusual for the governor to address
such a letter as this to the district attorney,
and 1t focuses public attention upon me- 1
have made arrangements with Justice Davy
OF the criminal branch of the supreme
court, and he will continue the June term
of that court through the summer The
powers of both courts can IL necessary be
invoked. 1t will take me some time to
learn whether l will need the assistance of
the courts not"
Attorney General Julius M. Mayer was a
his office in this city today, engaged in go
ing over the proceedings in the investiga-
ton of the Equitable Society.
When asked how soon he would begin
action against the Equitable officers scored
In the Hendricks report Mr.. Mayer replied:
Action Very Soon.
Action will be taken as soon as 1t Is
physically possible. and it, will not be
matter of weeks. but of days only before
we will be ready Not only have got TO
go over the Hendricks report. but the tes
timony which preceded that report and on
which the report is based"
He was of opinion that separate
actions would be taken, one for the reSti-
tuition of funds wrongfully elected and
another for the debarment proceedings
against officers of the society. In COM
menting on this phase of the situation Mr..
Mayer said:
This is a novel action, and it Is the first
time in the history of the state of New
York where debarment proceedings against
officials of an insurance company will have
been taken. Under the insurance law, the
application OF which has never yet been
put in practice, the attorney general has
power to debar officers. of an insurance
company who have been found dereict in
their duty. and this debarment not only
precludes them from holding positions as
officers. but also debarS them from acting
as directors. not only in the company from
which they have been debarred, but from
any other insurance company doing bust
ness within the confines of the state, and
the attorney general is the one to enforce
the action"