The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-11-16


of directors OF the Equitable Life AS
surance society. and connected with
many railroads and financial mstitu-
tions. the former friend of James Ha-
zen Hyde. against whom the latter
charged acts Of an unfriendly nature i'm
his testimony yesterday was one Of
the chief witnesses before the Arm
strong committee on insurance investi-
cation today.
Mr.. Hartman was called Immediately
after recess. and his testimony was
series OF denials of the charges made
by Mr.. Hyde.
Mr., Hartman said that Mr.. Hyde
came 10 him about "a month before the
pdell settlement was made and asked
finn TO use his influence TO induce Gov
cIuOr OdeN 20 settle his suit against
\ the Mercantile Trust company Mr..
Hyde told him that the Odel suit was
dangerous 10 the Mercantile Trust COM
pany IN that il might induce other suits
10 be brought by other people who had
subscribed 10 the bonds of the United
states Shipbuilding company Mr.. Har-
llnan said he arranged an interview
between Governor Odell and Mr.. Hyde,
which was held in Mr. Harrimans Of
ice Governor Odeu seemed to be ir-
rltated after the interview.
Settled odell Suit.
Some days later Mr.. Hyde and Mr..
Colby visited Mr. Hartman, and Mr..
Hartman promised 10 see Governor
Odell and try to get him TO do some
thlng about settling the suit. Another
interview between Governor Odell and
Mr.. Hyde took place, il may have been
az Mr.. HaTiman's house. Afterward
AR Hyde told Mr. Hartman that he
was willing 10 pay $4,000, and asked
MN 10 try TO get the governor To ac-
cepJ that amount Governor Odcll told
Mt Hartman that if he Hartman
advised il he (OdelD would settle for
that amount.
Il told Mr.. Hyde after that inter-
View said Mr. Hartman. "and said
To MN that II / were in his place and
We're negotiating TO settle il. while /
ilad no advice to give as whether it
should be settled or not | would not
stand on $4,000 on a settlement OF that
KIND. / would make il satisfactory. /
understand that Mr. Hyde saw him and
payment W., made, OF which / had no
further knowledge"
Did Not Know About the Bill.
In reply 10 inquiries by Mr.. Hughes.
Mr.. Hartman said Governor Odeli did
not tell him that bill had been intro
duced in the legislature to repeal the
papy. and that his first mtimation os
this came from his counsel today.
Did YOU say anything 10 Mr. Hyde
IN any OF these interviews as TO the
desirability Of settling the suit because
of the power that might be exercised
against the company at Albany" asked
Mr.. Hughes.
No. sir"
Did YOU make any mention to Mr.
Hyde OF amy attempts that had been or
might be made TO repeal the charter of
The Mercantile Trust company"
No, sir
Request Came From Hyde.
MIR. Hartman said that he made no
Reference TO the advantage of a set
Demen IN order 10 avoid an attack
upon the company and that Governor
Odell did not request him 20 use his
influence 10 obtain a settlement of the
claim. Governor Olcll, Mr.. Hartman
said, had no interview with him TO
bring about settlement. but the re-
quest came exclusively from Mr. HYDE
A portion of Mr.. Hyde's testimony in
which he said Mr.. Hartman had sug-
gested 10 him that an effort might be
made to repeal the charter of the AIer-
camille Trust company was then read
Ia Mr.. Hartman, who said that he did
not make such a suggestion 10 Mr.
ing said 10 Mt Hyde, as Mr. Hyde had
testified, that there was possibility OF
powerful interests at Albany dOing
harm TO the Mercantile Trust company
because of the Ship-bUilding loss He
also denied saying anything 10 Mr.
Hyde about the repeal of the charter
Of the Mercantile Trust company and
declared that he did not know of any
rumor that bin was introduced to re-
peal that charter.
French Ambassadorship.
About a year ago, Mr. Hartman said.
Alr. Hyde came To him and asked him
10 use his influence 10 have him ap-
pointed an ambassador 10 France and
that he (Mr Hartmann promised when
Doe saw the president to speak To him
about il. He said that he did So. but
did not recommend Mr. Hydcs appoint
ment,
Mr.. Hartman said he did not know
whether Governor Odoll did anything
about the appointment There was no
connection, Mr.. Hartman said be
tween Governor OdelTs claim and his
own action on the amha sId1rshiu. Mr.
Hartman said ne mentioned the sub
iect of the Odell suit to President
Roosevelt. but did not remember
whether the president was consulted
about il.
ADVICE 10 1ydes
Mr. Hartman said that early in the
Equitable troubles he had defended Mr..
HYDE from the attacks on him. but had
advised him 20 favor the adoption of the
Prick report and told him that if ha
would do j., he (Air. Hartmann woUiu
stand by Mr.. Hyde through thick ana
thin. Tie also advised Mr. HYDE, he said,
a. state that the methods hc had pur-
!, SIZED were lu use when he w M into the
fociety and that he was Young and in
experienced, that he was sorry ana hoped
opportunity AR Hyde the witness said,
Objected 10 doing that
Mr.. Hartman said he might have told
Mr.. Hyde thar il would be a good thing
10 have such "A committee appointed az
the one headed by Mr. Frick He de-
report of the Prick committee would he
favorable 10 Mr. Hyde ard that he was
not concerned in any offer 10 buy the
Hyde stock and had told Mr.. Hyde and
afT. Frick that Mr.. Hyde ought not 10
sell it,
Offered to Put Up 100000.
on the day before the report OF the
Frick committee was presented. Mr.. Har-
riman said, he told Mr. HYDE that ne
did not think anybody NJ the Equitable
society or Mr.. HYDE should own tho
Hyde shares of Equitable stock, and tina
81 Mr.. Hyde had any fears on that sub
iect he (HaFrimau) would subscribe
s500,000 TO a fund 10 help him hold il; that
20 the Equitable without any pay for II
Mr. Hartman thought others could be
induced 10 do the same thing
Ar. Hartman did not recall that Mr.