The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1905-11-24
PlATT FRANKLY
ADMITS FACTS
Says He Was Expected 10 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.

state campaign fund. He said the CON
tributions We're in cash and were SEN
by messenger to his office. He turned
them over to the state committee. They
We're unsolicited. he said.
Platt said that s1O.O 900 was frequently
paid as an annual contribution to the
state campaign fund. but that 1t 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 SO much. No other in
surance companies contributed 50 far
as he knew.
Plat salt he was expected, in return
for the contributions, to influence legis-
lation when any measures We're hostile
to insurance companies.
He added that he does not know An
drew Hamilton or Andrew G. Fields.
From the Mutual Life, Too.
Plat said he also received frequent
contributions OF $1,000 each from the
Mutual Life.
S far as you know, Senator, what
have insurance companies done in re-
ing legislation in this state?" asked
Hughes.
Puts It Up to Plat.
IT don know anything they have
DONE; l never inquired into that, nor
have they sought my influence at all in
reference to it," said Platt.
DO you know what disposition has
been made OF contributions by insur-
ance companies for state compaigns?"
II don't know anything about it, sir.
L turned these contributions over to the
state committee and then my connec-
ton with them ceased
DO you know whether such contri-
buttons and allotments of money We're
made for the purpose of helping the
campaign of candidates for the legisla-
ture?"
There vas not thai 1 know off,
Puts Plat in a Hole.
Enquiries have been made from time
to time here with regard to the insur-
ance 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 V by reason OF such
contributions or in connection with the
matter of legislation of the insurance
department."
Never in the world"
Plat said he knew nothing about CON-
Wy liz Iiuluil lLllS lilSuT-
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
companies were justified In
making campaign contributions while
| tho GOLD iccl1n 1I,nc n + O IT, "a -
care to pass Upon the justification of
companies in giving money for state
campaigns.
What advantage could they get by
so contributing? ?" asked Hughes.
They got 1t through me as being con-
nected with the state committee: they
Would suppose l YOU be very likely
to defend them at times when it was
necessary; l never had occasion to do
it."
Have they ever requested your sup
port In any matter?"
They never have"
Admits He Was Useful.
Il understand you to say they would
expect you would support or defend
them. Now, what class Of possibilities
had you in min in saying that? To
see that the legislature lie not enact
legislation which they thought hostile
to policyholders?"
to-"
How could you control that situa-
tion?"
II could not control it."
How could o in my way influ-
ence it?"
II might have some influence"
Through disposition of moneys ii the
election of legislators?"
oh, l could not say that"
Holds a Club Over Them.
isn't that the way it really comes
about, senator, that the use of these
contributions in election of candidates
under moral obligation not to attack
interest supporting them?"
That's what naturally would be in
volved."
isn't that really what is involved?''
Il should think So"
TarbeII Takes the Stand.
Gage p. Tarbell, second vice president
of the Equitable, was on the stand
when recess was taken.
Nichols Betrays Secrets.
John A.. Nichols, former quarantine
commissioner for the port of New
York, who wrote letters to Senator
Depew in behalf of his friend who
usually gets oun at this time of
year." was a witness before the in
surance investigation committee today.
Much interest was aroused by the
reading of Nichols letters to Depew on
Friday, as the senator was not able to
remember who Nichols friends were.
Nichols said he a been employed by
the Equitable society for about twenty
five years. with an annual retainer of
1000. One of the matters en-
trusted to him was that of w. S. Man
ming. of Albany. Witness said that
Manning. who had been an actuary,
was employed by certain people 10
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. 80 that he
would be favorable to the company"
What Money Was Paid For.
The witness said this was paid to
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
Z--aL aHHa.r NE-HAi