New-York tribune., 1905-07-24

Dir. Morton Denies Pension Story
Visits President.
u TELEGRAPH no - rRIRryE.

NF
Oyster Bay. N. Y. July 23.-Paul Morton. for
mer Secretary OF the Navy and now chairman
of the executive board of the Equitable Life AS
surance Society. after spending twenty-four
hours the guest of President Roosevelt. NJ
Sycamore Hill. left for New-York on an after
train. MIR. Morton reached Oyster Bay at
dusk last evening in a friends automobile his
purpose being to take brief rest from the cares
of business. and at the same time have con-
sultation with President Roosevelt over subjects
of mutual interest.
Before Mr.. Morton left oyster Bay he was
asked if there were any truth In the report that
he had cancelled the S25,O06 pension of Mrs.
Henry B. Hyde Mr.. Morton said that he had
made no such order The general subject Of
pensions Mr.. Morton indicated. will be taken
up later possibly at the next meeting of the
board. which is to be held Wednesday. Mrs.
Hyde's pension, it is understood will not be
singled out as target by Mr.. Morton. There
are other persons carried on the Equitable pen
sion roll whose cases will be considered at the
same time Mrs. Hydes Is disposed Of and what
ever action is taken in will be followed in all
While the matter OF pensions is In abeyance
all the vouchers will be held up Chairman
Morton. IT is believed. does not approve OF the
pensions that being paid out Of the funds
of the society. but does not wish to take any
aggressive action without the approval Of The
board.
Preparations for the prosecution Of officials
and directors Of the Equitable Life Assurance
Society will be continued this week by two
prosecutors. Attorney General Mayer. II IS ex-
pected will finish the complaints in the civil
suits he intends to bring against every member
of the directorate at the time the trouble began
District Attorney Jerome will complete his work
on the testimony taken by Superintendent Hen
bricks and decide whether ground exists for
criminal prosecution.
Mr. Jerome will return to this city to-day
from Lakeville. where he spent last week in
going over the Hendricks testimony. He de-
clined yesterday TO discuss the Equitable cases
in any way but 1t is said that he is satisfied
that he can make good cases against several OF
the officers and directors. He will confer with
the Attorney General 10 learn what information
the State has received.
Mr.. Mayer was not in town yesterday, but
he will return either to-day tomorrow. Last
week he hoped to complete his complaints in
the blanket suit against the entire directorate.
These will be served early this week. il is
thought. The suit will call the directors for
an explanation OF their official acts directors
under Section 1.7S1 of the Civil Code.
A meeting of the directors will be held on
Wednesday. Besides discussion of Mr. Morton's
reorganization plans. 1t is expected that a
couple of directors will be named by the
trustees and elected to the board Discussion OF
the legal status of the new directors may be
had at this meeting. and opinion asked
from counsel as to the advisability OF Mr..
Ryan's scheme of qualifying some OF the new
men with five-share blocks of stock after Mr.
Hyde's dummy Director plan