New-York tribune., 1905-08-17
HIGGINS TO TRY SUASION.
To Point Out Dir. Choate's Duty to
Insurance Committee.

Governor Higgins has assured certain mem-
bers Of the Legislative insurance investigation
committee that he viii use his influence with
Joseph III. Choate 10 try to induce the exam
bassador to the Court OF ST. James's to serve ar
advisory counsel 10 the committee. The Gov
ernor. according 10 The Tribunes informant
who is in close touch with the committee and its
counsel. will take the attitude that Mr.. Choate :
acceptance of the committees retainer is no less
than public duty.
In view. however of Mr.. Choate's absence
from the city and the Governors impending de-
parture for Europe. IL is improbable that the
latter before he sails will be able I'm person u
Mr.. Choate.
Senator Armstrong; wish TO call on MI
Choate is said to be responsible for the Sena-
tors delayed return to this city.
Should Mr.. Choate. in face Of the combined
suasion. be unable 10 see his way 70 accept, IL
is said Senator Philander C. Knox. ex-Attorney
General. may be asked to take the Office. The
name of Senator Knox was one of those orisi-
naily considered by the subcommittee for the
post.
The Governors comment on the still mysteri-
Gus loan carried by the Mercantile Trust Com
pany with the names of James W. Alexander
and Thomas ID. Jordan trustees. revived the
great interest that has been taken IN insurance
circles to the real ''inwardness'' of this loan.
Asked the report made TO superintendent
Kilburn Of the Banking Department on the sub
ject Of this loan. the Governor, after disavow-
ing all knowledge Of the actual details of the
port, observed that when the entries under this
account came TO be published in the legislative
inquiry the public might be disappointed.
The speaker told the story of college lad
whose father authorized him to draw on him
through check book to any amount within
reason, provided he forwarded detailed state
ment OF his expense account This account
presently disclosed that he had apparently eaten
ten barrels of apples in a single day. Applying
the moral the Governor confident that the
legislative committee has ample power 10 go
10 the bottom Of any barrels of Equitable apples.
should such be found and TO determine the
identities of supplier and consumer. with the
reason for the sale.
Already. it is said. Senator Armstrong has
made formal demand on the Banking Depart
ment for the report on this loan Heretofore
acting under the State law. Superintendent Kill
burn has declined TO reveal the contents of that
report but the legislative committee. II is under
stood. is clothed with such judicial powers as
to compel the granting of it's request. None the
less it will probably require the skilfuI probing
Of counsel 10 uncover the true character OF
transactions that are indicated largely by checks
and memoranda bearing names that shed little
no light the real nature Of the loan.
Assemblyman Prentice. the committees sec
retary, called on Governor Higgins at the Hotel
AlbemaFle in the morning and talked over with
him the subject of the investigation. Governor
Higgins afterwaTd gave the committee certih-
cate of good character. He said that he had
every confidence in its ability properly to fulfill
its mission. and added:
1t is not to be expected that insurance COM
panies he made absolutely Immaculate. but
with a proper understanding OF the evils, ii is
possible for the committee to recommend reme
dial legislation which should tend 10 put life in
suranCe proper basis.
Up to late in the evening James McKeen. Of
counsel for the committee. had had conlmu-
nication. it was said with Governor Higgins