The Oskaloosa herald., 1905-12-21
REPLY
TO RYANS CLAIM
pors NOR DnwY THAT nr MADE
rHRnATs.
SAYS RYAN SOUGHT HIS AID
Magnate ADMITS Using His Political
Innuence IN Behalf Of Equit~
able Until Ryan Acted In
had Faith.

New York. Dec. fG-Edward N.
Hartman, before the legislative insur'
anco investigating committee Friday,
declared that he was instrumental 10
preventing bills from being introduced
IN the legislature 20 aid one faction In
the Equitable 70 get control OF the so
ciety. This statement followed n dec
Iaratlon from the railroad magnate
that Thomas r. Ryan had sought his
aid IN controlling the Equitable and
that this had been given him until
Mr.. Ryan acted IN bad faith. Mr.. Har'
rfman did not deny making threats,
but said that he did not remember
what he said 20 Mr.. Ryan.
at has been openly charged" said
Mr.. Hughes. that you get your po'
litical influence through your relations
with Mr. odeIl'
"weIi, I should think Mr.. odell had
political influence because OF his re.
lafion with me" replied Mr.. Harri.
man. (Laughter) Later Mr.. Har'
rfman said that the above remark
was meant In a jocular sense.
wired Governor and Speaker.
Mr.. Hartman sald that when a
move was on foot TO give the control
OF the Equitable 10 James w. Alex
ander and his friends by means Of
legislative action al Albany, he wired
certain persons at Albany 70 keep him
informed az 10 the progress such pro
ceedings rdigbt make. Asked who
these persons az Albany we're, Mr..
Hartman requested that he be eD
cused from answering. He said ne
ala not want 70 answeT because he
did not want TO give occasion for sen
eatl0aal Newspaper headlines. The
committee and counsel Mr. Hughes,
retired for consultation, Mr.. Harrb
man said be would like 70 consult
counsel before replying.
The committee decided, however,
that he should answer and he did 30,
saying that the persons from whom
be had requested the information were
Gov. Higgins and the late Speaker
Nixon Of the assembly.
After Mr. Hartman had answered
concerning Gov. Higgins and Speaker
Nixon Senator Armstrong, chairman
Of the committee, said:
I'VE are sorry you gave such an air
Of mystery 70 this matter, ~ we all
know Duch inquiries are regular and
common"
Mr. Hartman then said: II ask
the press 70 spare these men and not
bring their names into the headlines"
Mr. Hartman sald that he regretted
having 20 bring up Mr.. Nixon's name
especially, an he was dead Mr.. Har.
riman in leaving the witness stand
said that his reason for wanting 10
keep Gov Higgins and Speaker Nix
on's names out Of the newspaper head,
lines f. that most people sad only the
headlines.
Harriman's Evidence.
Tn substance, Mr., Hartman testt
fed that when Mr.. Ryan bought the
Hyde stock, carrying control Of the
Equitable society, he asked Mr. Har.
riman 10 Operate with him in say,
ing the property; that Mr.. Hartman
agreed 20 DO II ~ satisfied that Mr..
Ryap was acting from pure and un,
selfish motives; that Mr., Ryan did moi
satisfy him A. 10 the purity Of HIS mo.
tiyes, and that Mr.. hartman notified
him that he would . his influence
against him. The test which Mr.. Har.
rimsn said he applied 70 determine
Mr. Ryan'g purity Of motive was an
offer 10 take one-haIf Of the Hyde
stock and 70 name two trustees Of ths
eoelety Mr.. Ryan refused 70 agree
20 that. Mr. Hartman testified thai
Nj. Ryan should not have assumed
that he (Harrfman) would use his %
1iticai influences against him. He wa
not certain whether he said anything
about Legislative action a. q warning
20 Mr. Ryan, but declared that be had
nothing 70 DO with starting the pres
ent Insurance inyestigatton.
Senator Armstrong stated that jusl
before finishing the Investigation
about December co. the COMMITTEES
may 10 20 Albany 70 examine th,
stats insurance department, boldIni
sfttings al the capitol