New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-04-29
HYDE AND GOULD CON FER
FRICK TO POLICYHOLDERS
More Reports That TarbeH Is to
FollOsC KnOzCles.

Henry c. Tricks letter to the policyholders
assuring them Of the unassailable strength Of
the society's assets and stronger intimations
than any that have gone before Of Gage E. Tar
BELLS impending resignation divided interest In
the Equitable controversy yesterday. It was
declared freely that Mr. Hyde himself voted to
discharge his firm friend. H. H. Knowles. for
loquacity, ito establish precedent" as he ex-
pected to vote soon other removals, and he
wished to be consistent. Mr.. TarbeII's resigna-
ton however is scarcely looked for until the
Prick committee shall have made its report.
Mostly routine business was transacted at
yesterdays meeting Of the executive committee.
After the meeting Mr.. Hyde held a conference
in his private office with George j. Gould, with
whom he went over the situation briefly. At the
conference, it is SAID Mr.. Hyde assured Mr..
Gould that under no conceivable circumstances
would he relinquish his position in the society.
Incidentally the conference apparently disposed
Of the Wall Street report that Mr.. Goulds resig-
nation from the directorate Of the Union Pacific
was due to E. II. Harriman's intimacy with Mr..
Hyde.
Later in the day Samuel Untermyer, it is said.
who is Mr.. Hyde's counsel, joined the two in Mr..
Hyde's office. Senator Chauncey NJ. Depew was
likewise caller at No. 100 Broadway.
Apropos of his vote on Thursday Mr.. Hyde's
friends mention Mr.. TarbelPs name citing spe-
ciic cases in which they say Mr. Tarbell talked.
notwithstanding the silence ordered by the
Frick committee. A short time ago Mr.. Hyde
accused Mr.. Tarbell Of giving out statements
for publication. had af1davits prepared and in
timated that he would place the matter before
the directorate.
Treading on the heels Of the report OF Mr..
Tarbelrs expected retirement, several stories
went the rounds tending to show that al
ready he had made preparations for change
IN his career. According to one OF them, BUSH
ness men have declared themselves willing to
subscribe round 100000 to start new in-
surance company of which Mr.. Tarben shall be
the moving spirit with Mr.. Alexander perhaps
the president
While 1t is stated that other designations az
Mr.. Hyde's demand will follow that Of Mr.
Knowles, it is asserted that Mr. Hyde himself
win neither resign nor be called upon to do so.
Mr.. Hyde's friends characterize the report that
Mr.. Hyde will follow N1essrs. Alexander and
Tarbeu out Of the society, but only for a year
or two" merely ingenious.
Mr.. Fr1ck yesterday wrote the following let
ter to the policyholders:
The members OF the investigating committee have
received a large number Of letters from policy
the society and in many desiring 10 know
IL the sums already paid to the society as premiums
on policies were endangered or lost
The work of investigation, to be of value, must
necessarily take time The Committee is not ready
TO make its report, and cannot at this time an
ttcpate It's report
In view Of these inquiries from pollcyholders, 10
interest of every pOlicyhOder is absolutely safe.
The assets of the society are in its possession.
They have been examined in detail by tho In
surance commissions of many States. They are
absolutely sound. Indeed. one Of the criticisms OF
the society's management has been that in its In
vestments It has been conservative to the point OF
not realizing sufficiently high rate OF interest on
If the investigation should substantiate the grav-
est charges made by any one against the society
II would simply mean that in the past the society
realized under different management of its af-
fairs. There are charges made which, IL true
would diminish the society's assets.
The integrity OF every one OF the society's con-
in this connection to add that while assessment
societies and fraternal organizations require the
constant addition Of risks to meet their obi
gaiionS on old ones the Equitable, like all Of the
old line companies could meet in full all Of its
maturing policies even If it never wrote another
dollar Of insurance
While opinions are largely divided as TO the
date Of the Frick committees report, Mr. Tricks
letter apparently disappoints the expectation
that 1t will be issued next week Moreover, no
call, it was learned yesterday, has been sent
out for a directors meeting. The call is gener-
ally sent ten days in advance. Thus as the
directors meeting is to report to the Prick COM
mittee, it seems probable that the Prick COM
mittees report will not be ready for at least
two weeks.
In regard to the underwriting syndicates. well
informed persons estimated that, instead OF
eight, fortyeight was nearer the figure OF those
ander shared equally.