The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1905-12-01
PlATT FRANKLY
ADMITS FACTS
Says He Was Expected to Pro-
tect the Equitable Against
Harmful Legislation.
GOT CAMPAIGN FUNDS
He Acknowledges That He Was Elk
pected to Give Value Received
Nichols Explains Depew's
Mysterious Friend.
GOT CAMPAIGN FUNDS

state campaign fund. He said the ON
tributions were in cash and were sent
by messenger to his office. He urned
them over to the state committee. They
We're unsolicited, he said.
Plat said that $40. 900 was frequently
paid as al annual contribution to the
state campaign fund, bu that it was
not "A regular thing; that he could not
remember the years in which it was
paid.
The New York Life also contributed,
but not nearly 50 much. No other in
surance companies contributed so far
as he knew.
Plat said he was expected, in return
for the contributions, to influence legis-
lation when amy measures were hostile
TO insurance companies.
He added that he does not know An
drew Hamilton or Andrew C. Fields.
From the Mutual Life, Too.
Platt said he also received frequent
contributions Of $40, 900 each from the
Mutual Life.
so far as you know, Senator, what
have insurance companies lone in re-
gard to shaping legislation or prevent
ing legislation in this state?' asked
Hughes.
Puts It Up to Flat.
II don know anything they have
done: l never inquired into that, nor
have they sought my influence at all in
reference to it," said Plat.
DO you know what disposition has
been made of contributions by insur-
ance companies for state compaigns?"
IT don't know anything about it, sir.
I turned these contributions over to the
state committee and hen my connec-
ton with them ceased"
D you know whether such contri-
buttons and allotments of money were
made for the purpose of helping the
campaign of candidates for the legisla-
ture?"
There was not that I know Of"
Puts Plat in a Hole.
Inquiries have been made from time
to time here with regard to the insur-
C department. What influence had
insurance companies in regard to the
appointment of the superintendent of
insurance so far as you know"
Il don't think they had any influence,
so far as l know"
Have you ever been asked, on behalf
of the insurance companies, to inter
vene in their favor by reason of such
contributions or in connection with the
matter of legislation Of the insurance
departmcnt?'
Never in the world
Platt said he knew nothing about con-
.iipueiohs Ny llle MUTUAL Lie Insur-
ance company and Equitable society to
the national campaign fund in 1896,
1900 and 1904. He did not remember
that there was any cooperation be-
tween Cornelius N. Bliss and himself
In those years.
Gold Issue Justified Act.
Platt expressed the opinion that life
insurance companies were justified in
making campaign contributions while
the gold issue was at stake. He did not
care to pass upon the justification of
companies in giving money for state
campaigns.
What advantage could they get by
! 80 contributing" asked Hughes.
They got it through me as being con-
nected with the state committee; they
would suppose 1 would be very likely
to defend them at times whe it was
necessary; l never had occasion to do
it."
Have they ever requested your sup
port in any matter?"
The never have"
Admits He Was Useful.
Il understand you to say they would
expect 0 would support or defend
them. Now, what class of possibilities
had you in mind in saying that? To
see that the legislature did not enact
legislation which they thought hostile
to polic%yholders?"
That's about what it would amount
to-"
How could you control that situa-
tion?"
u could not control it."
Hoy could you in any way influ-
ence it?"
II might have some influence"
Through disposition OF moneys in The
election of l~egislators?"
on, l. could not say that"
Holds a Club Over Them.
isn't that the way 1t really comes
about, senator, hat the use of these
contributions in election of candidates
to office puts candidates more or less
under moral obligation not to attack
interest supporting them?'
That what would he in
VOWED"
isn't that really what is 'involved?"
Il should think So"
TarbelI Takes the Stand.
Gage L. Tarbell, second vice president
Of the Equitable, was on the stand
when recess vas taken.
Nichols Betrays Secrets.
John A. Nichols, former quarantine
commissions for the port of New
York, who wrote letters to Senator
Depew In behalf of his friend who
usually gets around at this time OF
SSp "do Il "llISSS DelOre the IN
surance investigation committee TO-DAY.
Much interest was ous by the
reading OF Nichols letters to Depew on
Friday. as the senator was not able 10
remember who Nichols friends were.
Nichols said he had been employed by
the Equitable society for about twenty
five years. with an annual retainer of
$1,000. One of the matters en-
trusted to him was thai of w. S. Man
ming. of Albany. Witness said that
Manning, who had been an
was employed by certain people to
bring charges against the Equitable
society that the reserve was not so
large as it ought to be. Manning was
paid $3.50, Nichols said. $50 that he
would be favorable to the company"
What Money Mas Paid For.
The witness said this was paid 10
keep Manning from being employed
against the company.
Several vouchers signed by Nichols
were produced, but he was unable TO
explain them. The letters OF the Wit
ness to Senator Depew, he said, re-
ferred to Manning. He wrote to De-
pew because the senator was on the
finance committee Of the Equitable, and