The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-12-09


committee which is investigating
life insurance conditions today de-
termined to send 20 District Attorney
William T, Jerome a request that he
institute proceedings against Thomas
f. Ryan, hnaneier and owner of the
majority of the stock of the Equitable
Life Assurance society. to punish Ar
Ryan for refusing to answer questions
before the committee. Mr.. Ryan had
refused to answer when asked what
e. II. Hartman. president of the Union
Pacific and Southern Pacific Railroad
companies, had said to him when Mr.
Hartman tried to induce him to share
his control of the Equitable society
With Mr.. Hartman.
Question Was Pointed.
Mr.. Ryan was asked whether Mr.
Hartman had threatened that results
disastrous to Mr.. Ryan's interests
would ensue. or if Mr.. Hartman HAD
told him that some action would be
taken by the state legislature. or any
officer of the government unless Mr.
Ryan consented to share his stock with
him. Acting on the advice Of his at
torney, Paul d. CraVath. Mr.. Ryan de-
clined 20 answer those questions. al
though Senator Armstrong, chairman
of the committee. directed him to do so
Mr.. Ryan, however. aid answer one
question by saying that Mr.. Hartman
did not tell him at that time there
would be a legislative investigation Of
the life insurance business unless he
gave up part of the Hyde stock.
Where Hartman Came In.
Mr. Ryan had already testified that
he secured control of the Equita bic so
ciety by paying James II. Hyde 81. 6O0
000 for SOP shares of the total 1000
shares of the society.
after you had bought that stock was
there any proposition TO share il with
your asked Charles +. Hughes, coun-
sci for the committee.
Am I obliged to answer that dues-
tion?" asked Mr.. Hughes.
I think YOU ought TO. Mr.. Ryan"
said Mr.. Hughes.
Refused 10 Share.
e: II Hartman desired to share the
purchase with me. and 1 refused to per-
NIT that" replied Mr.. Ryan.
AR Ryan said that he thought AIR
! Hartman made his request on the DAY
that Mr.. RYAN bought the stock and
before the purchase was publicly an
nOunced.
What did Mr. Hartman sav "a YOU
90 Influence You 10 make the sale?''
y do not think. Mr.. Hughes. I ought
70 be called upon TO answer a question
Ike that-tO characterize or state a
conversation / had privately with Mr.
Hartman" said Mr. Ryan.
Lawyer Butted In.
Paul d. Cravath interrupted by say
ing to the chairman:
i feel bound to say to my client.
( Mr.. Ryan. that while he should testify
+ most fully TO what he did and what he
planned 70 do, he cannot, unless he
chooses 70 do so voluntarily. be re-
CURED 10 attempt to state converse
/ tiOns which Mr.. Hartman or any
other man had with him.
To this Mr.. Hughes replied
Il deem the matter important in two
aspects. In the first place. that the
committee may understand the motive
which may actuate those who desire 10
obtain control of the stock of the in
surance company and the proceedings
which may be taken to acquire it; and.
secondly, that we may know whether
there is any truth in the report that
there was any suggestion tat life in
surance conditions in this state would
be investigated if MIR. Ryan did not
accede TO Mr. Harriman's request I
think that we should have full light
upon the transaction, and I hope that
/ Mr.. Ryan viii feel that he can do an
other public service by advising the
committee fully"
Mr.. Cravath said that Mr. Ryan
would testify freely as TO facts. but
that he was not required TO state what
Mr.. Hartman said TO him i'm private
converse ton.
Ordered TO Answer.
Mr.. Ryan" said Senator Armstrong.
the committee directs you TO answer
the question"
The following colloquy ensued
Mr.. Ryan, will answer to it so far
| as to state that l refused 10 share the
| purchase with Mr.. Hartman.
What did Mr. Hartman say 10 you
in connection with the natter"
Mr.. Cravath-My advice is that you
are not required TO answer that ques-
/ ton.
The Chairman-Do you refuse2
Refused TO Reply.
Mr. Ryan, refuse to answer, on
the advice Of counsel.
did Mr. Hartman say that there
would be any result injurious to your
interests in case YOU refused to admit
him TO share il the ownership
Mr.. CraVath-I give You the same
advice, Mr.. Ryan, that you are not re-
quired to answer that question.
Mr. Ryan-Same answer.
At the order Of Senator Armstrong
the last two questions were repeated
to Mr.. Ryan, who again refused to an
swer. saying he did so ION advice of
counsel.
Did Hartman Make Threats?
Mr.. Hughes then asked the following
question:
did Mr.. Hartman say 10 you there
would be an investigation by COM
mittee of the legislature or that steps
would be taken 10 have an investiSa-
ton by a committee of the Legislature
OF either house of any insurance con-
dltion or any insurance companies II
you did not permit 10 share in the
ownerships?
Mr.. Cravath-The same advice.
Mr.. Ryan-He did not say that.
Nov did he say that any action on
the part of the Legislature or any Off
| cial or officer of the government would
be taken in the event you refused 10
accede TO his request"
Mr.. Cravath--I advise you not to an
swer that question
Mr.. Ryan, refuse To snwser on the
same grounds.
Now, Mr.. Ryan, think you will be
entirely free 10 say what YOU said 70
| Mr. Hartman"
Didn't Want Partner.
] Mr.. Ryan Wen, Iiold Mr.. Hartman
wanted 10 hes lreaElnd did not want
] any partners lptthe transaction.