Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1905-11-18
FORMER GOVERNOR oDELL TEs-
TIFlEs in THE LIFE INsUR-
ANcE INVESTIGATION.
SENATOR DEPEW ALSO ON THE STAND
RECOMMENDED HYDE FOR AM
RASSADCR TO FRANCE AT
LATTER's REQUEST.

New York, Nov. 17.-Former Gov
ernor Odell went on the stand in the
insurance investigation during the day
Mr.. Odell denied that he had ever
directly or indirectly threatened to
have the charter of the Mercantile
Trust company revoked. When again
asked if the Mercantile Trusts charter
was threatened Mr.. Odell dramatically
exclaimed:
"There is no truth in that, so help
me God"
Mr.. Odell said he wrote letter at
the request of Mr.. Mcintyre, former
fourth vice president of the Equitable,
in behalf of Mr.. Hyde's candidacy for
the French ambassadorship. This had
nothing to do with the Shipbuilding g
settlement. The letter was written be-
fore the settlement.
Mr.. Odell said that he never solicited
political contributions from insurance
companies nor were any given to him
voluntarily. He might have received
some indirectly through the National
Republican committee or Senator Platt.
Knew Nothing About Lobbyists.
The witness said he knew nothing
of the efforts of insurance companies
to prevent inimical legislation and
knew of A. C. Fields activity in that
direction only by hearsay. He did not
know Andrew Hamilton. He said no
moneys had ever been placed in his
hands directly or indirectly for politi-
cal purposes or otherwise to influence
legislation.
Senator Chauncey M. Depew follow
ed Mr.. Odell. The senator said he had
been a director of the Equitable since
1877 and was a member of the execu-
tive committee. He never heard of
the various trustee accounts until this
investigation. He knew of the cam
paign contributions only in general
way. He did not know the amount
contributed to the national campaign
OF 1904 He hoped both state and ma
tional legislatures would pass laws pro-
hibiting these contributions. He
thought the contributions were made
in the interests of the assured at the
time, but he thought the publicity Civ
en- to the matter in this investigation
has changed the minds of almost every
body.
Senator Depew said be was first
asked to go into syndicate by George
H. Squire. He detailed the various
syndicates he had been in during four
years and said these had netted him
the sum of $1,219. In these syndicates
he had 100000 tied up most of the
time and 100000 is still tied up.
Discusses Position as Counsel.
AS to his retention as counsel by the
Equitable society Senator Depew said
his statement to Superintendent Hen
bricks covered the field, but he made
an extended statement of his assooia-
tions with Henry B. Hyde and said he |
continued as counsel for the society |
after the death of Mr.. Hyde, because
it was one of Mr.. Hyde's dying in |
functions to his son. Senator Depew's
salary as counsel was $4,000 year :
from 1888 until last spring.
Senator Depew said he was spoken
20 by friends of President Alexander
and Vice President Hyde about the in /.
crease in their salaries. He justified /
he large salary to one of Mr.. Hyde's
United experience on the ground of
lis ability, which, he said, was recog-
lized by the financial men with whom
le came in contact
Senator Depew testified that he was :
asked by James H. Hyde to use his
influence with President Roosevelt to
secure Mr.. Hyde the ambassadorship
o France; that he spoke to the presi-
lent about it and that the president
aid it was utterly impossible.
Many Unemployed in Japan.