New-York tribune., 1905-11-22
MR.. PLATT On STAND.
Contributions Al Turned OUer tn
State Committee. He Sans

CO3Cs
appearing before the investigating committee
10 explain his relation to the collection NJ funds
Tor political purposes from insurance companies
senator Thomas e Flart yesterday made IL eIeap
for the first time that such funds had been col
iected and used in state campaigns The Sen
atoFs appearance was due to the declaration
made by Ex-Governor OdeH Uhan he Uas on
the stand last week that the gathering of funds
Tor campaign purposes was the exclusive pre-
rogatiVe of the Senator. Meeting this declara-
ton, Senator Platt testified that he had received
the money which was brought to his office in
currency by representa- tives of insurance COM
pani-7. and that he had promptly turned il over
to the State committee. of which Ex-Governor
Odell and Colonel George W. Dunn have been
the two recent chairmen.
Up to the time Senator Platt testified yester-
day nothing had been shown before the COM
mittee justtfying the theory that the insurance
companies had made political contributions
cept TO the last three national campaign funds
when the issue of sound money was involved
Richard A. McCurdy. president of the Mutual
Life. exceedingly definite this point. but
Senator Platt was equally certain yesterday both
that the Mutual had contributed several times.
$4,000 each time. that he had talked about
this with President MeCurdy and that the latter
must have known the purpose of the contribu--
ton Thus another striking contradiction in the
sworn testimony of the witnesses was furnished.
On the quid pro quo received by the insurance
companies in return for their contributions SEN
Platt also supplied some of the most
startling evidence the commission has listened
to- While the Senator was sure that he had
never been asked to interfere with legislation
and had never received any suggestion from
insurance officials relative to judicial nominal
ttons he acqufesced in the following summary
Of the matter made bv Hughes:
THE MORAL OBLIGATION.
ISN'T that the way it usually comes about,
Senator that the use of these contributions in
the election of Legislative candidates to Office
nuts the candidates more less under moral
obligations not to attack the interests support
ing them?"
THAT is naturally what would be involved
was the calm reply.
The coming of the Senator was attended with
rather unusual circumstances. Carried from
the ground floor to the chamber, the Senator
tottered to the witness chair, supported by his
counsel Robert c. Morris, and his secretary.
Albert T Howe. on whom he leaned heavily as
he mounted the witness stand. Both in his
appearance and in the lack of volume in his
voice the Senator gave the impression OF
arlxed feebIeness but although he spoke slowly
his answers were for the most part clear ana
ADEQUATE He suffered from occasional iapses o.
memory but this has been true of majority OF
those who have appeared before the committee
As a witness he was calm and cool He
neither volunteered any suggestion nor snoWed
the slightest sign of any desire TO extend ms
testimony beyond his own relation to campaign
funds He made it perfectly clear that he had
never had to do with the national COMMITTEES
collections AS he sat in the witness chair
he leaned rather heavily gold headed cane
and frequently raised his hand to his chin as
he answered adopting the familiar attitude
recognized by all members of the old Sunday
school, class. His voice. however. was so weak
that it was hardly audible TO the stenographer
and the crowd could not distinguish half dozen
words.
SENATOR PLATT TAKES STAND.
AS he mounted the witness stand. Senator
Platt stood waiting to be sworn. He bowed
pleasantly to the members of the committee.
but OH Senator Armstrong; request he took the
oath sitting Directly after this Robert c. Morris.
who appeared as Mr. Platt's personal counsel ut
the Senator's special request. started to make
statement but Senator Armstrong stopped
him. explaining that this procedure not
permitted Mr Morris merely added that lac
desired to say for Senator Platt that he
anxious testify fully and frankly about al
matters in which he might have information.
Then Mr.. Hughes began his examination which
follows in full:
Q.-senator Platt evidence has been given hzIe
contributions made by insurance Ger. Or4i J.ts
TOT political purposes. We should be GLAD 10 heye
your testimony upon that subject so far as ne
matters are within your knowledge. A--Weli.
have received contributions from some Of tbs
more Tarticularly from the Equitable.
Q-Would you state. please, what contributions
you have received from the Equitable for political
purposes? Al could not state what contributors.
because have any record Of it at all
O-Duriug what period Of years have such con
tributioas Teen made2 A.-Oh should think
least years
Q-Have you had anything 20 do with the receir-
ing Of contributions in connection with nat oesf
campagnse A.-No, not in national campaigns.
o-sOlsiy with reference to state campaigns? A
Yes. sir.
O-Has il been the practice Of the Fquitable IFf,
to make contributions for State campaigns to the
Republican party Att has; far as IL has mn -
any contributors to me- they we're cal ulated tc -
for State camIai
EQUITABLE GAVE SeC60 \ YEAR
Q--And for how long and IN what amonnfs hsy-
those contributions been? A.-The contributf9rs
from the Equitable have been about so 0G0 AZ q
time
O. Each time A--Yes sir
Q-And yOGF correction with the rstei sin- yf
such contributions beEan al about what date? A.